Overview

This Italian villa served as the Oakland Hospital and Home for Invalids in 1887, and was operated by E.H. Woolsey, M.D., a surgeon and chief physician.

Building History

An advertisement for the hospital described its features in 1887: "Steam, Medicated and Electric Baths, and all the appointments of a first-class general Hospital, and all the requirements, conveniences and comforts of a Private Home for Invalids are here provided. The Matron is an experienced nurse, and the nurses and attendants (male and female) are well trained and reliable. The institution is healthfully, pleasantly and conveniently located, occupying an entire block, in a quiet neighborhood, surrounded by elegant private residences; and yet within four blocks of the Central Pacific and Narrow Gauge Railroads, and accessible to their stations by the Central Avenue street cars. The sewerage facilities are perfect. The wards and private rooms are large, sunny, well ventilated and appropriately furnished. Interiorly the woodwork is of solid and carved walnut, the mantels of purest Italian marble and design, and the walls decorated with exquisite frescoes. The Hospital Section, comprising Surgical, Medical and Convalescent Wards, is separated from the section for Invalids, each department being provided with special corridors, bath rooms, electrical appliances, etc." (See Oakland Hospital and Home for Invalids advertisement, Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1887, p. 604.)

In 1886, stays in a ward cost $15 per week, private rooms ran $20-$40 per week, and two persons in one private room had a price of $18-$20 per week.

Building Notes

This hospital understood the importance of advertising, as it placed ads in both Langley's San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1886 and the Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1887.

PCAD id: 21404