West Side Hospital? We had one

In 1926, Lutherans within an 50-mile radius of Cedar Rapids began fund-raising to buy the old Prospect Place at Sixteenth Avenue and Ninth Street SW. By June 30, 1928, the remodeled West Side Hospital opened to the public.

An article about the hospital's open house said:

"Situated on the top of Young's hill on the west side, the hospital commands a view of wooded grounds that encompass an entire city block. The old structure is picturesque and was one of the first show places in Cedar Rapids. It was built about seventy-five years ago by a man named Young, who left Cedar Rapids wealthy so long ago that his initials have been forgotten.

"The building has been redecorated and the third floor has been remodeled to prepare quarters for the operating rooms. These rooms done in white with the exception of the eye, ear, nose and throat room which is black, contain the latest equipment of the same type that is in the Mayo Clinic at Rochester and St. Luke's hospital in Chicago. An elevator has been installed from the third floor to the basement. The maternity and nursing rooms are on the second floor.

"The hospital has a capacity of from twenty-five to thirty-five beds. There are eight private rooms furnished in different colors. The beds are of the latest adjustable type. Besides the private rooms there are men's and women's  wards, capable of six beds each.

"These wards are on the first floor. An x-ray room fnished in green and featuring a $4,000 machine is also on the first floor.

"The hospital is open to all doctors in good standing in the Linn County Medical Association or any other similar association. "