Hotel Dieu hospital was answer to growing need due to tuberculosis, tent city in El Paso

This July 12, 1953, article by El Paso historian Cleofas Calleros traces Hotel Dieu’s history from Sister Stella burrowing $5,500 to buy the hospital site at Stanton and Rio Grande streets to the demolition of the building which began in April 2003.

Hotel Dieu was a first for a young town

Before the railroads came to our fair city in 1881, there was no need for a hospital ... .

By 1886, El Paso's growing population had attracted several physicians and surgeons. They were Drs. A.K. Alberts, A.J. Gray, G. Holland, O.C. Irvin, A.L. Justice, J.A. McKinnie, C.T. Race, William Race, A.B. Roberts and W.N. Vilas.

Four drug stores were operated by: F.H. Barradaile, R.F. Campbell, Enos & Brown and W.A. Irvin & Co.

The dentists who were struggling for patients and wishing for more eastern migration were Drs. F.D. Andrews, H.L. Bingham, D.E. DeMooyne and O.B. Love.

Between 1881 and 1890, El Paso, by its sunshine, had built quite a reputation. 'Climate' was the thing that sold and has been selling El Paso. Men and women suffering from consumption were flocking to our village. Every available room was taken. As consumption was a disease that everyone wanted to get away from, many found their way to the present Highland Park Addition, where a tent city was soon built to enjoy the sunshine and cure 'galloping consumption.' The word tuberculosis was then unknown. Many of our most influential civic leaders came to El Paso 'on a stretcher' to live only a few months. But God willing, they stayed to enjoy, and some are still enjoying the blessings of our climate.

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'Tent city' become a problem

As the 'tent city' became a problem, the Rev. Charles Ferrari, SJ, pastor of St. Mary's Chapel, was approached by a group of men, headed by Edward V. Berrien, late in 1891, to see if he could obtain the services of some religious order to come to El Paso to open a sanatorium.

The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, more commonly known as the Sisters of Charity, were approached and readily agreed to come to El Paso. Four sisters, headed by Superior Sister Mary Stella, reached El Paso on July 2, 1892. Father Ferrari had rented a small two-story red brick home at 1015 E. Overland St. This was the first hospital in El Paso. It was known as St. Mary's Hospital of the Sisters of Charity.

In a few weeks the building proved inadequate for their needs. Sometime before July 1892, the hospital was moved to the old Dieter home at 415 Upson Ave. The patients clamored to be admitted, and from the opening date it was crowded, with an ever-increasing waiting list.

Pains and aches growing

During 1892 and 1893 groups were organized to raise funds for a larger hospital. There were no facilities for surgery. El Paso was growing by leaps and bounds, and so were the pains and aches. Entertainments and festivals were organized to raise funds for a larger hospital.

The wives of the following public-spirited citizens worked hard during 1892-93; these charitable ladies not only donated, but obtained beds and bedding, furniture, food and other necessities. They were Mrs. Charles W. Bassett, Mrs. Patrick F. Bric, Mrs. W. Floyd Payne, Mrs. Joseph Magoffin, Mrs. Edward V. Berrien, Ms. A.G. Wilcox, Mrs. Clarence N. Buckler, Mrs. William M. Rose, Mrs. Walter N. Vilas, Mrs. Francis W. Gallagher, Mrs. Horace B. Stevens, Miss Lowers Stevenson, Mrs. Charles E. Kelley, Mrs. Adolph Solomon, Mrs. Charles T. Race, Mrs. Edward D. Phillips, Mrs. Zeno B. Clardy, Mrs. George W. Emerson and many others whose names we wish we had, for they were the 'Angels of Mercy' in those good El Paso days.

Only July 2, 1892, Sister Stella borrowed $5,500 from the bank and bought the present hospital site at Stanton and Rio Grande Streets. Immediately thereafter, a charter was applied for and obtained. The hospital, when built, would be known as Hotel Dieu (the House of God), its present name. The original incorporators were Sister Margaret (Stella) Dempsey, president and treasurer; Alice Hennessey, secretary; and Sophia Eggert, trustee.

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Formally opened Jan. 15, 1894

With $60,000 borrowed from the Motherhouse, the Sisters started building Hotel Dieu in 1893. The cornerstone was blessed on June 12, 1893, by the Most Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, bishop of Little Rock, Ark., who came to El Paso to bless and dedicate Sacred Heart School and Church, and the Immaculate Conception Church, just then completed. Emil Krause was the architect, and Caples and Hammer were the contractors.

El Paso was the proud possessor of a general hospital; the first unit was formally opened on Jan. 15, 1894. The building and furnishings represented an outlay of $75,000."

Beginning of the end

In 1987, the hospital was sold to Millbrook, and the name was changed to Landmark Medical Center. In 1988, the hospital was sold again. Columbia purchased the medical center and closed it later that same year.

In 1995, county commissioners bought the Landmark Building, the former Hotel Dieu, and demolition of the building began in April 2003.

Trish Long may be reached at 915-546-6179; trlong@elpasotimes.com.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Hotel Dieu helped El Paso meet tuberculosis, tent city challenge