FLASHBACK: Historic Stephens Hospital

-á -á Photo courtesy of the Monroe Historical Society

Stephens Hospital was built by Dr. L. L. Stephens and constructed from Stocker Mill lumber. It was dedicated in August 1903 and was one of the most modern facilities of the period, with room for 20 patients. It had electric lights, call bells, speaking tubes, a bathroom on each floor, a large ward room and several private rooms. An X-ray machine was added in 1908. Two wings were added to the building in 1906 and another eight patient rooms added in 1909.Men working in the mills, logging camps and mines along the railroad secured services for $1 a month, an innovative health insurance plan. Stephens sold the hospital on Apr. 10, 1910, to Dr. Charles H. Soll and Dr. Herman K. Stockwell and the name was changed to Monroe General Hospital. Stockwell sold his practice to Dr. Minard Allison in 1923, who closed the hospital in 1939 and converted it to apartments. The building still stands on the southeast corner of Main and Blakeley streets and is still used as an apartment building.