The Cleveland City Hospital Society, incorporated in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866, originated as the "Home for the Friendless" which was established in 1863 by the Ladies' Society of the Old Stone Church. Although not a hospital, it offered care and assistance to victims of the American Civil War, many of whom were refugees from the South left homeless by the war.
Three years later, on May 21, 1866, the home became the Cleveland City Hospital Society, a private philanthropic organization which was incorporated with Joseph Perkins as President. The objective of the Society was stated as the founding of a hospital for the reception, care, and medical treatment of sick and disabled persons. The Society rented a frame house at 83 Wilson Street in 1866 and in 1868 the Wilson Street Hospital Association was created with H. B. Hurlbut as President. The Association was supported by both allopathic and homeopathic physicians. Because of the incompatibility of their theories and methods of medical practice, friction soon ensued between the two groups and after a year, the homeopathic physicians withdrew. Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees of the Wilson Street Hospital Association, the name "Cleveland City Hospital" was assumed once again, although the hospital was not sponsored by the city.
In 1888, the City of Cleveland decided to build a city-sponsored hospital. To avoid confusion with the new institution, the name Cleveland City Hospital was changed to Lakeside Hospital. In 1897, the Lakeside Hospital and Western Reserve University entered into a formal affiliation. The new Lakeside Hospital was dedicated on January 14, 1898 and was situated east of Erie Street (East 9th Street) between Lake Erie and Lake Street. In 1925, Lakeside Hospital became part of the University Hospitals of Cleveland. In 1931, Lakeside Hospital moved to its current location in Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood to join the main University Hospitals of Cleveland campus. Today it is known as University Hospitals Medical Center.
The Cleveland City Hospital Society Records, 1868-1873, consist of minutes of the Boards of Trustees of Cleveland City Hospital (1868-1869) and the Wilson Street Hospital Association (1870-1873). Attached to the minute book are several newspaper clippings about the Hospital, ca. 1871.
This collection will be useful to researchers studying the history of medicine and hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, particularly the evolution of the healthcare industry in Cleveland during the nineteenth century. Those researching the roots of University Hospitals in Cleveland will also find this collection useful. Those studying the history of charity and philanthropy will also find this collection useful.
The collection is arranged chronologically and consists of one volume.
The researcher should also consult MS 3428 Cleveland Hospital Aid Society Record Book.
Processed by Joy C. Oruma in 1982.
None.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 3917 Cleveland City Hospital Society Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Gift of the Ohio Historical Society in 1972.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.