Larry Larkin
Special to the Progress
CLAREMORE —
Today it stands lonely and neglected. When built 83 years ago it was the pride of Claremore and a comfort to the residents knowing it was there. Now, although thousands of cars and truck drive by daily, it is totally ignored.
Weeds reach up to the boarded shut windows now, but the solid rock walls still stands straight as the day they were erected.
This is the status of the building known as the old Franklin Hospital. Located at the corner of Patti Page Blvd. and Perdue, it was built in 1927 by Dr. F.B. Collins. It was where newborn babies came into the world. It was where children were taken to have their measles removed. It was where Rogers County residents of all ages went to receive needed medical treatment.
The facility was opened to the public on December 29, 1927. A survey of hospital records conducted on the 10th anniversary disclosed a total of 5,176 cases had been recorded at that time. Of the number 1,892 were surgery cases operated in the Franklin by various doctors.
Occupying a prominent site on the east side of town, Claremore’s Franklin Hospital was furnished thoroughly with all the latest appliances for healing the sick.
The operating and X-ray rooms and the rest of the hospital was what could be expected from ones in much larger cities.
The Franklin had a 20-bed capacity when it first opened. There was also a guest room, making 24 rooms in all. The entire two-story building complete with both attic and basement, was heated by steam furnace. For the safety of patients and staff members, no open fires were needed.
A group of lady volunteers made window draperies for each room. No two were alike.
In the beginning the operating room was on the second floor. Access to the upper level was gained by an inclined ambulance passage ramp. The patient rooms were also on the second level.
The ground floor housed the living quarters for Dr. and Mrs. Collins. It also featured a parlor, guest room, and a diet kitchen.
When opened it was stressed the hospital did not belong to only Dr. Collins. It was also for the people of Rogers County. Any patient was able to make use of it when needed and could have any physician they desired. At the same time any doctor could also place or have patients at Franklin.
No sick person was ever denied service at the hospital for any reason. This was true regardless of whether or not he or she was financially able to pay for the services.
During the same 10-year survey mentioned before, it was noted that during an eight year period the hospital and staff rendered charity service in the amount $64,564.
Even with the humanitarian services, hospital management was able to defray daily expenses. It should be noted this was all before federal aid!
In 1936 a stately two-story brick structure was erected as a nurses’ home. It was next door to the hospital on a vacant lot.
It is believed Claremore’s first hospital came into being around 1910. It was in a doctor’s home at the corner of Sixth Street and Seminole. Prior to the 1927 construction of the new building, Franklin residents received medical attention on the second floor at now 401 West Will Rogers.
The east side Franklin remained the center of Claremore’s medical world until 1955. That was when the city, with a fast growing population, decided a new and much larger hospital was needed. That was the year the current Claremore Regional Hospital was opened.
It operated as a city owned facility for the first 23 years. Ownership and name changes have followed. Today with over 450 employees and physicians on staff, it is the third largest employer in Claremore.
As for Franklin Hospital, its time as a medical location was over with the opening of the newer hospital . Just how many patients were treated at the location is unknown. All records are believed to have been destroyed when the basement of the building flooded.
At the time of its grand opening Dr. Collins and his associates said they hoped that Franklin hospital “…would be well patronized and that the present unit is but the first of others that may be built as Claremore grows.”
When needed it served its key purpose in the past. It is the future that remains uncertain. The 48,000 square feet building is currently for sale. The asking price is $65,000. While the outer walls are as strong as when put up, the interior walls have pretty much been gutted. A new roof has been installed.
At one time there was talk the building might be turned in apartments geared toward Rogers State University students. Offices or a possible restaurant has also been mentioned. A major drawback for most any type of commercial use, however, is the lack of parking space.
A major aid in gathering information for this article has been Dorothy Kizer-Dennis. A life-long resident and local historian, she has taken a major interest in the building and its history.
“The Franklin Hospital has a special place in my heart,” she explains, “This is where my grandfather died and for that reason it means a lot to me. I wish it could be purchased and converted into a historical site. Whatever happens, I hope the building is not destroyed like so much other Claremore history has been.”
In the meantime the weeds grow taller and the tree branches seem to hang somewhat lower. Even so if the walls of the Franklin Hospital could only talk, the stories of Claremore Past would be endless…
