EARLY BIT OF HISTORY OF TRENTON'S LEGENDARY ST. FRANCIS HOSPITSL

Here's a vintage look back at Trenton's legendary St. Francis Hospital. In the very beginning times were really rough on the Sisters who managed the hospital which served everyone; especially those in need and too poor financially to pay for excellent treatment. Check out the lower right of the engraving and you will see Sister Hyacynthia's greenhouse where she carefully grew and cultivated food for the patients. What a blessing S.t Francis has been over the years! I thought I heard or read somewhere that the Sisters of St. Francis are giving up the hospital and going back to their Mother house.

1897: ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL

This delightful early engraving of St. Francis Hospital is an exquisite view of the legendary Trenton landmark during the time of Sister Hyacintha. Indeed, her greenhouse can be seen in the lower right in the graphic. In 1897, the Daily State Gazette did a multi-page feature on the city of Trenton. The pages have been encapsulated in crystal laminate and preserved for posterity.

1897: ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL

Here's an early engraving from the Daily State Gazette "Industrial Edition." This was a 4 page supplement that has some fabulous engravings similar to the above depicting the State Prison, State Hospital for the Insane, the Whittlesey Road State Home for Girls, and other prominent local sites.

1894: ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL TRENTON

How she has grown! From an austere beginning in the 1870's, St. Francis has become an area legend as one of the most respected hospitals in the state. The graphic above hearkens back to the late 1800's when the population was relatively small when compared to today's sprawling metropolitan area.

1895: ST. FRANCIS NEW "NORTH WING"

I added the engraving to the right of the above article, assuming that the 1897 engraving of St. Francis was the same as the subject of the article wherein the wing "on the Hamilton Avenue" side was constructed. The dimensions listed, and the number of floors lead me to believe that the building in the graphic is the building whose cornerstone was laid.

1916: HOLIDAY FOOD ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL

Through the years, there have always been organizations and groups who put a high priority on serving others. In this case, the poor. The photos above show the results of food drives which were conducted by two of the many organizations in the area that lend a helping hand to the less fortunate.

St. Francis Hospital 1891

Compare today's huge St. Francis Medical Center with the austere facility in this engraving from "Trenton Illustrated," 1891. Don't miss the picket fence, the gaslight, and what appears to be a hitching post.

1905: St. Francis Hospital Adds a Wing

Sister Hyacinthe proudly gave a pre-completion tour of the new addition to the hospital.

1873: St. Francis Hospital Fund Raiser

Back when St. Francis Hospital was in its infancy, Franciscan Sister Hiacinth was looking for money in order to keep her hospital running. In these days of 900 to 1,000 dollar per day hospital stays, it seems unbeliveble that the Sisters of St. Francis treated ALL patients: those who could pay for the service and those who were destitute.

1873; St. Francis Hospital Fundraising Picnic

Early 20th Century St. Francis Hospital

Do I ever love those old poscards with photos of buildings and towns from the past! Naturally, they are prized by deltiologists and history buffs who love to see things as they appeared in the past. This is another of the exquisite photo postcards from my collection. A worthy addition to the HOSPITALS folder in the Hamilton Township Library's Local History Collection.

1888: St. Francis Hospital in the Early Years

As one passes the huge facility on the corner of Hamilton Avenue and Chambers Street today, it is quite difficult to envision the early years of the hospital. Five hundred total persons were treated during the year 1886! Incredible. I have a very early photo of St. Francis Hospital in the library files, and will post it in the future.

Sister Hyacinth's St, Francis Hospital

THE EARLY YEARS OF ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 1874
GAZETTE
A gentlemen informed us yesterday that one of our physicians who has been visiting St. Francis Hospital in an official way, was quite enthusiastic in his praises of the manner in which the institution is kept. The hospital is the perfection of cleanliness in every part, and the attentions of the ladies are unremitting, and exceedingly kind.
There are about 20 persons now in the hospital, who each extol the manner the institution is managed. He spoke particularly of it nonsectarian character. No word is uttered, and no rule is laid down with which the most sensitive on this subject could find fault. This is gratifying, and it is still more gratifying that an institution has been founded in our midst where the afflicted can find a home, and where they find friends and all they want. The County Medical Society, by invitation have so arranged themselves in classes as to furnish to the institution regular visitations.