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A letter from Surgeon Boyd to the Kingston
Chronicle in 1818 first expressed the need
for a hospital. Five lots were designated
as a potential site. The Magistrates of
Midland District in 1819 issued a share
offering to build the hospital. This offering
was not successful and no further action
was taken at that time.
Subsequently, in 1831, a community meeting
was held regarding the building of a public
hospital. Eighty donors subscribed $1,000.
The government, in 1832, approved a grant
of $1,000 annually for three years to build
a hospital. This was the first such capital
grant in Upper Canada. John Macauley, James
Sampson and Edmund Armstrong were appointed
Commissioners responsible for the construction
and operation of the hospital.
The hospital site was six acres of land
outside of town purchased from Reverend
George Stuart. Contracts for construction
of the hospital were signed in 1833. Although
construction was delayed during the cholera
epidemic in 1834, the building was completed
in 1835.
The Main Building was a three storey limestone
building with a low hipped roof and massive
chimneys. The design was classically inspired
with identical front and rear facades. Large
windows and balconies assured cross ventilation.
Although the building was finished, there
were no funds to open or operate the hospital.
The Commissioners repeatedly identified
the problem with no solution forthcoming
from either the government or the community.
During the decade 1835-1845, the building
was briefly occupied as a military barracks
in 1838 and served as the Parliament of
Upper and lower Canada between 1841 and
1844. Following the transfer of Parliament
to Montreal, the building was returned to
the Commissioners.
The Main Building was finally opened as
a hospital in 1845. The Female Benevolent
Society was responsible for the hospital.
However, it was soon recognized that the
operation of the hospital far exceeded the
resources of the Society. The hospital with
the assistance of the community continued
until the government granted incorporation
in May 1849. A lay Board was required "to
supply necessities and relieve the condition
of sick and destitute immigrants and other
transients and the mariners of the lake".
The charitable institution was established.
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Outstanding care, always.
