Red Cross Hospital, located on the corner of 3rd and G Streets, in Salida, Colorado.
This building was completed in 1908 at a cost of about $40,000 to house the Red Cross Hospital. The 2 1/2 story building (addressed historically as 247 G Street) had 62 rooms and 65 patients, more than twice the capacity of the old building at 123 G Street. It featured electric nurse-call buttons for patients. Nurse training also took place in the facility.
The Red Cross Hospital had been established in an existing building at 123 G Street in 1902 by Dr. Frank N. Cochems. The Salida Mail reported that Dr. Cochems founded the private facility because a "number of years ago, the people of Southern and Western Colorado and Northern New Mexico were sorely in need of a hospital in which the confidence of all would repose unreserved." It was described as "one of the most up-to-date hospitals in the West, and the good work it has done throughout its career can hardly be overestimated."
The hospital closed in 1939. Following three years of remodeling which reduced the building to one story, the building was dedicated as the Salida Masonic Temple in 1942. The Masons are a secret fraternal society that came to the American colonies in the 1700s. The Salida Lodge #57 of the AF & AM had been organized in November 1883. When the Opera House at 129 W. 1st Street was completed in late 1888, the Masonic Hall was located on the second floor. The chapter then had about 60 members.
In 1909, J.W. DeWeese was the Worshipful Master of the Salida lodge and G.W. McGovern was the secretary. Charles Ankele was secretary in 1922, while E.E. Smith held that position in 1927. The building still houses the Salida Masonic Temple.
History Colorado's Architectural Inventory Forms have more information and are available at the Salida Library.
This image is from the Anonymous Photo Collection.
