Trail Blazers: Where healthcare and industry met circa 1926

It was 99 years ago this week that Trail opened its third hospital, still fondly remembered as the Trail-Tadanac Hospital.

Located at the corner of Victoria Street and Cedar Avenue, construction began late in 1925 with all consideration made for not only modern technology, but patient and staff comfort, with funding from the province and a substantial contribution by the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company of Canada Ltd. (CM&S).

It was built to accommodate 50 patient beds and small kitchens on each floor.

The ground floor hosted the X-Ray, labs, and administration. Nurses also resided in the hospital at the time, as the famous nurses’ residence across the street was built until 1928.

Each room in the facility was equipped with electric heat and the “air-wash” process, which claimed to circulate fresh air and eliminate toxins and draughts.

The building also boasted an elevator.

The architect, Trail’s own Archie Broderick, designed the building for future expansion, as well.

In 1932, the building was effectively duplicated and the second wing was constructed on the lot next door at Victoria Street and Bay Avenue.

B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Randolph Bruce, was present on June 16, 1926, to offer words of congratulations and gratitude.

The paper praised both his charisma and veneration for the city.

“He congratulated the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company on their interest in the affairs of their workmen, on their value to the province. Their co-operation in future would be a boon to the province. He quoted Webster’s famous adage, ‘Let us develop our industries and resources.’ This was what was being done in Trail. That plant on the hill, turning to the smoke stacks of Tadanac, is a monument of Canadian zeal and enterprise. He felt proud of the party of ambitious McGill students (like Blaylock, who was also present) who years ago laid the foundation of the great industry, and made possible the existence of the hospital today, by sheer hard work and determination in surmounting obstacles. He urged his audience to maintain the same spirit of united effort, and they were destined to build up a more mighty monument in the future.”

Which they did!

In 1954, our current hospital facility, much smaller than we know it now, opened its doors. In 1956, Trail’s first modern hospital came down to make way for more businesses to thrive, like service stations and restaurants.

We know some of you were born in this very hospital.

Share your memories of the original Trail-Tadanac Hospital with us!

Sarah Benson-Lord is manager of the Trail Museum and Archives and Visitor Centre.