St. Elizabeth Hospital (Old)
a.k.a. St. Elizabeth Nursing Home;St. Elizabeth Towers
2365 Fourth St., Baker, ORThe old St. Elizabeth Hospital, located at Fourth and Madison streets in Baker, Oregon, is a locally distinctive example of architecture in the Jacobethan style and one of a group of prominent civic and religious buildings constructed of tuff during Baker's principal era of upbuilding. Baker was a diocesan headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church beginning in 1903. St. Francis Cathedral and rectory are among the local landmarks constructed of the indigenous volcanic rock, as are the City Hall, the Baker County Courthouse, the Carnegie Library, and Elks Temple.
The hospital meets National Register criterion for its association with the ministries of Roman Catholic Church orders locally. Among the most prominent of these was the hospital maintained by the Sisters of St. Francis from 1897 onward. When the Sisters' new St. Elizabeth Hospital opened in 1915, it was the largest and best-equipped medical facility in the district. It held that distinction to the present day, keeping pace with community growth by expansion, the first in 1921, and again in 1940 when a separate building of concrete construction was added to the northwest corner of the block to house the nursing school and convent. In 1970 the Sisters of the Order of St. Francis built a modern, single-level community hospital elsewhere in the city, and old St. Elizabeth's was converted to use as a nursing home operated under the Sisters' auspices. In 1987 the diocesan seat was removed from Baker, and the hospital/nursing home was vacated. The current owner is rehabilitating the building for condominiums.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia entered the missionary field in the West in 1885 upon opening an academy at Baker City, Oregon. Their school filled the gap left by the closure in the preceding year of the academy which had been established by the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1875.
In 1897 the Sisters of St. Francis opened a two-and-one-half-story hospital building in the Stick Style at Second and Church streets in Baker. It was superseded by the subject building in 1915 and is no longer extant.
Local significance of the building:
The hospital meets National Register criterion for its association with the ministries of Roman Catholic Church orders locally. Among the most prominent of these was the hospital maintained by the Sisters of St. Francis from 1897 onward. When the Sisters' new St. Elizabeth Hospital opened in 1915, it was the largest and best-equipped medical facility in the district. It held that distinction to the present day, keeping pace with community growth by expansion, the first in 1921, and again in 1940 when a separate building of concrete construction was added to the northwest corner of the block to house the nursing school and convent. In 1970 the Sisters of the Order of St. Francis built a modern, single-level community hospital elsewhere in the city, and old St. Elizabeth's was converted to use as a nursing home operated under the Sisters' auspices. In 1987 the diocesan seat was removed from Baker, and the hospital/nursing home was vacated. The current owner is rehabilitating the building for condominiums.
The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia entered the missionary field in the West in 1885 upon opening an academy at Baker City, Oregon. Their school filled the gap left by the closure in the preceding year of the academy which had been established by the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1875.
In 1897 the Sisters of St. Francis opened a two-and-one-half-story hospital building in the Stick Style at Second and Church streets in Baker. It was superseded by the subject building in 1915 and is no longer extant.
Health/medicine; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The city of Eugene, Oregon was named after Eugene Skinner, a settler who built a cabin in the area in the 1840s. Skinner is also credited with founding the city.
About Baker County
Baker County Timeline
Baker County, located in Eastern Oregon, has a rich and colorful history dating back thousands of years. The area was traditionally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shoshone, Nez Perce, and Bannock tribes, who lived off the land through hunting, gathering, and fishing. The arrival of European settlers in the 19th century had a profound impact on the region.
During the mid-1800s, Baker County saw a surge of prospectors during the Oregon gold rush. Miners flocked to the area in search of wealth, leading to the establishment of several mining towns such as Auburn, Sumpter, and Baker City. These towns became centers of economic activity, with thriving businesses, saloons, and schools. Notable mines in the area included the Virtue Mine and the famous Sumpter Valley Dredge.
The region's boom continued with the arrival of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in the late 19th century. The railroad connected Baker County to the rest of the state, facilitating the transportation of goods and people, and spurring further development. Baker City became an important transportation hub and a trade center for the surrounding agricultural communities.
In the 20th century, Baker County experienced economic challenges as the mines and timber industries declined. However, the county's rich history and natural beauty have contributed to a growing tourism industry. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of mining operations, enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing, and immerse themselves in the area's fascinating heritage.
During the mid-1800s, Baker County saw a surge of prospectors during the Oregon gold rush. Miners flocked to the area in search of wealth, leading to the establishment of several mining towns such as Auburn, Sumpter, and Baker City. These towns became centers of economic activity, with thriving businesses, saloons, and schools. Notable mines in the area included the Virtue Mine and the famous Sumpter Valley Dredge.
The region's boom continued with the arrival of the Oregon Short Line Railroad in the late 19th century. The railroad connected Baker County to the rest of the state, facilitating the transportation of goods and people, and spurring further development. Baker City became an important transportation hub and a trade center for the surrounding agricultural communities.
In the 20th century, Baker County experienced economic challenges as the mines and timber industries declined. However, the county's rich history and natural beauty have contributed to a growing tourism industry. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of mining operations, enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing, and immerse themselves in the area's fascinating heritage.
Baker County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Baker County, Oregon.
- 1862: Baker County is established on September 22.
- 1864: The county seat is moved from Auburn to Baker City.
- 1889: The Oregon Short Line Railroad arrives in Baker City.
- 1898: The Baker County Courthouse is built.
- 1914: Eastern Oregon Normal School, now known as Eastern Oregon University, is founded in La Grande.
- 1939: The Sumpter Valley Railroad ceases operation.
- 1970: The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center opens near Baker City.