Old Sycamore Hospital
Encyclopedia
Old Sycamore Hospital is two-story brick structure in downtown Sycamore, Illinois
, United States
. It is a contributing structure
within the Sycamore Historic District
. The district was established when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1978. The hospital building is located at the corner of Elm and Somonauk Streets in Sycamore.
.
In late 1901 the hospital's future was in jeopardy, due to a medical malpractice
suit. The city of Sycamore saw that the Sycamore Hospital building could become available on the open market. The city contacted Andrew Carnegie
to request a $25,000 grant to purchase and remodel the hospital for use as a library. The city's request for the grant was ultimately approved, albeit for the construction of a new building across the street from the DeKalb County Courthouse
.
Westgate left the Sycamore area by 1907 to become the city chemist in Aurora, Illinois
. The hospital operated for another ten years but in 1917 the property was acquired by the Elks Club
.
Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. It has a commercial district based and centered on Illinois Route 64. The population was 17,519 at the 2010 census, up from 12,020 at the 2000 census.-Early settlement:...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is a contributing structure
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
within the Sycamore Historic District
Sycamore Historic District
The Sycamore Historic District is a meandering area encompassing of the land in and around the downtown of the DeKalb County, Illinois, county seat, Sycamore. The area includes historic buildings and a number of historical and Victorian homes...
. The district was established when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1978. The hospital building is located at the corner of Elm and Somonauk Streets in Sycamore.
History
The old hospital building was once home to the 1899, funded and designed by Letitia A. Westgate, at a total cost of $25,000. Westgate was Sycamore's first female physician. Sycamore Hospital, then known as Sycamore Surgical Hospital, was the first hospital in DeKalb CountyDeKalb County, Illinois
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 105,160, which is an increase of 18.2% from 88,969 in 2000. Its county seat is Sycamore. DeKalb County is part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area.-History:DeKalb County...
.
In late 1901 the hospital's future was in jeopardy, due to a medical malpractice
Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice is professional negligence by act or omission by a health care provider in which the treatment provided falls below the accepted standard of practice in the medical community and causes injury or death to the patient, with most cases involving medical error. Standards and...
suit. The city of Sycamore saw that the Sycamore Hospital building could become available on the open market. The city contacted Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
to request a $25,000 grant to purchase and remodel the hospital for use as a library. The city's request for the grant was ultimately approved, albeit for the construction of a new building across the street from the DeKalb County Courthouse
DeKalb County Courthouse (Illinois)
The DeKalb County Courthouse is located in the county seat of DeKalb County, Illinois, U.S.A., the city of Sycamore. The Classical Revival structure sits on a square facing Illinois Route 64 as it passes through the city. The current courthouse was constructed in 1905 amid controversy over where...
.
Westgate left the Sycamore area by 1907 to become the city chemist in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
. The hospital operated for another ten years but in 1917 the property was acquired by the Elks Club
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
.