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Overview

This first hospital operated by the Sisters of Providence opened in 1877 and was used increasingly until a new facility was erected in 1882.

Building History

The Sisters of Providence arrived in Seattle to take over the administration of the Poor Farm of King County in 1876. The supervised this for one year before founded the first building of Providence Hospital on 5th Avenue, between Spring and Madison Streets in 1877. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencerin 1882: “Commencing in small and straight-forward quarters, the rapid increase in the number of patients has necessitated an increase in the capacity for accommodation. The increase in the demands upon their care and attention suggests forcibly the growth of the city.” (See "Providence Hospital," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10/29/1882, p. 2.) In 1877, twenty-five patients were treated. In the first ten months of 1882, this number escalated to 204. A new hospital was erected nearby on the same site by architect Donald McKay (born c. 1846) in 1882-1883.

No one was turned away from medical care at this frontier facility. The Post-Intelligencer said: “During [1878-1882] the wants and necessities of people of many nations have be administered to. The record of nativities of patients includes English, Scotch, Irish, Spanish, French, Americans, Portuguese, Japanese, Germans, Indians, Africans, Swedes, Norwegians and others.” (See "Providence Hospital," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10/29/1882, p. 2.)

Between 1878 and 1882, Providence Hospital was supervised by Sister Superior Peter of Alacantra, who managed a staff of six nuns of the Sisters of Providence Order. The staff number increased to eight when the second building opened in late 1882 or early 1883.

According to this article of 10/29/1882, the old hospital was to be reused. It stated: "The building which has been hitherto occupied will be reserved as a residence for the Sisters and servants of the hospital when the patients are removed to the new building.” (See "Providence Hospital," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10/29/1882, p. 2.)

Building Notes

In its article of 10/29/1882, the Post-Intelligencer's reporter indicated that 42 patients were housed in the hospital: "Heart disease, consumption, accident and intemperance figure most numerously as the causes of death. The Sister Superior says that many of the cases reported as heart disease are superinduced by intemperance.” (See "Providence Hospital," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10/29/1882, p. 2.)

Alteration

The first hospital building underwent renovation to serve as a dormitory for the Sisters of Providence and their hospital workers in 1882.

PCAD id: 23885