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Saturday, August 23, 2014

Schuylkill County Firemen's Convention Parade Forecast

Saturday's Weather Forecast for the Schuylkill County Firemen's Convention Parade

THE HOSPITAL IN COALDALE LOOKED MUCH DIFFERENT DECADES AGO THAN IT DOES TODAY & ALMOST ENDED UP IN SUMMIT HILL. Click LIKE if you remember, were a patient, or had family who worked at COALDALE STATE GENERAL HOSPITAL.

During the early mining years, injured area miners were taken to a doctor's office. "Black Maria" wagons delivered critically injured miners & deceased miners to their homes. In later years, injured miners were taken by horse & wagon & then by streetcar to hospitals in Ashland, Pottsville, & Philadelphia.

in 1904, a survey was conducted to determine the need for a Panther Valley hospital. In June, 1907, the Panther Creek Valley Hospital was chartered. LC&N Company wanted to put the new hospital in Summit Hill's "Stoney Lonesome" section. But thanks to strong lobbying by Father L.B. Norton at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Coaldale, LC&N officials relented & turned over a piece of land known as "Moser's Field" for the hospital site.

Miners donated a day's pay to help build the hospital in 1908. $50,000 was raised & LC&N matched those donations. Andrew Breslin was awarded the construction contract. Breslin also built the former Summit Hill High School, Citizens National Bank in Lansford, & Tamaqua Elks.

The Coaldale hospital opened July 11, 1910 & accommodated 30 patients. Defective wiring on the upper floor caused a fire in August, 1911, & forced patients to be moved to nearby homes. The hospital bounced back & grew thanks to community fund raising & grants. By 1934, bed capacity increased from 30 to 92. Before that, additional beds & cots were added. Some patients slept on the floor with blankets & often there were 2 & 3 patients to a bed.

Ground was broken for the nurses home in 1927, but it was wasn't finished until 1933 because of the onset of the Great Depression. A new maternity ward opened in January, 1932. A new laundry & kitchen building & black lung clinic were added in the early 1950s.

In October, 1970, ground was broken for a new building that opened in October, 1973. The hospital was divested from the state in 1992 & today it's part of St. Luke's University Health Network.

I was a patient in the children's ward at Coaldale State during the summer of '65...laying in traction for almost 2 months after fracturing my femur during a little league game. Dr. Steele was the surgeon who patched me up. I remember it was hot...there no was A/C...& TV was limited. My son Kris was born in Coaldale in 1978 & was among the last babies to be delivered by Dr. Dirnberger.

Do you have an old Coaldale hospital memory to share? Remember any former doctors & employees?

If this is the 1st time you've seen a COAL REGION CONNECTIONS post-scroll down our page & enjoy more great nostalgic memories. Thanks for your LIKES, SHARES, & COMMENTS. Please check this page every 2-3 days because Facebook no longer includes ALL posts in your news feed.

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