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This is a contributing entry for Development of Blackford County Hospital (and hospitals within same proximity) and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.
Bloomington Hospital was the first hospital constructed in Bloomington back in 1905. Year after year, the hospital had to expand because the ratio of beds to patients were consistently growing. The hospital itself was formed solely due to local volunteers.

Building, Architecture, Brutalist architecture, House

Back in 1962, there were 75 beds per every 1,000 residents, however, it was recommended there should be 4 per 1,000 (CITE). John H. Shepard was recruited to be the hospital administrator. During the following months he proposed speech after speech in an attempt to unite the community under a fundraiser to help fund the expansion.Majority of the hospital’s funding was covered by anonymous donors. In 1963, expansion of the hospital began. The Hopewell house was technically Bloomington’s first hospital, but the new hospital was going to be connected to it. The building was finally finished in 1965. The construction of the hospital was made possible through the help of local volunteers. There have been more plans made for further expansion in the near future.

History, Monroe, and Michael Carter. “BLOOMINGTON HOSPITAL: FROM DREAM TO REALITY.” Monroe County History Center, 11 Mar. 2019, monroehistory.org/2019/03/11/bloomington-hospital-from-dream-to-reality/.