South Peace Historical Society

    • Home
    • About / Contact Us
    • About Dorthea Horton
    • About This Collection
    • Bibliography
    • Brief History of the Peace
    • Credits
    • South Peace Historical Society Archives (External Link)
  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

  •  

BN11-001: Beginnings of a Hospital in Peace River Town

Irene Cottage Hospital, the first such building in Peace River Town, was officially opened in November 1914. It took 3 month to build and cost $1, 650.00. Most of the money was donated. Although crudely built of green lumber it served patients from Hudson’s Hope, Ft. Vermilion and Lesser Slave Lake, as well as the area surrounding the town.

Miss J. McEwan, the first nurse there, looked after patients and also did the complete housework most of the time. Local carpenters donated much of the furniture.

Peace River’s Health unit was formed in 1954. Peace River Municipal Hospital came into being in 1930, with the formation of a municipal Hospital Board.

First hospital in Hythe was in Ted Miller’s home in 1932. It was used mainly for births but minor treatment and repairs were made to whoever came in. The Hythe District Nursing Association was formed in 1938, with Jane Doherty as head-nurse. The present hospital in Hythe was opened in 1948.

BN11-002: A Pioneer Community Hospital »

© 2023 South Peace Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.