Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Orange Memorial Hospital - Orange, NJ


The hospital building in the "then" photo was newly constructed when the image was shot back in 1907 (southwest corner of Henry Street and South Essex Avenue). Although slated for demolition, the original building was still standing as of 2007. Note the trolley tracks in front of the hospital in the original photo. This route is now assumed by NJ Transit's #92 bus.


The entire hospital complex (more than 9 buildings) is scheduled to be razed in the near future to make way for a mixed-income housing development - given the site's close proximity to Orange Station (with Midtown Direct service to Manhattan) and Interstate 280.

26 comments:

  1. Most days it feels as if the world is whirling around me and I am standing still. In slow motion, I watch the colors blur; people and faces all become a massive wash. See the link below for more info.


    #standing
    www.ufgop.org

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  2. My mother worked as a nurse at OMH in the 1950's. She has a blue wool nursing coat/cape. It is so beautiful. I don't know what to do with it. Is there going to be any memorial site for other remnants from the hospital? I'd like to donate it.

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    1. I also have my mother's cape. She graduated in 1931 from this nursing school and worked there till about 1940. I also would like to donate it, but don't know how or who to talk to.

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  3. I was a member of the graduating class of 1964. Margaret B Allen was the director.

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    1. Hello, I’m writing a story about the hospital for a website. Would it be possible to talk about your memories of the hospital? My email is darrentobia.research@gmail.com

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  4. Through family documents we have recently learned My great grandfather's daughter, Mabel E. Conklin, was a nursing student there in 1914. She apparently lived in student nursing quarters on site as well. Our family had a place-setting of silver plate with initials OMH & it took much sleuthing to realize it must have belonged to her. Thanks for the photos, especially the comment about the trolley tracks as I know she returned home to Washingtonville via trolley train on holidays.

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  5. I was born there in 52'..student nurse there in the ER and clinic..it was a busy hospital back then in the ,70s

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    1. I’m a writer for the website Jersey Digs. I’m working with the historic preservation commission to write a story about Orange Memorial Hospital in hopes it can be restored. I saw your comment on a website recently. Would you be interested in a brief chat about your memories of the hospital? darrentobia.research@gmail.com

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  6. I was born in this hospital and in 1960, Urologist, Dr. Burpeau saved my life with a very delicate kidney surgery.

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  7. My father was born here in 1927. I was born there in 1950.

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    1. I’m a writer for the website Jersey Digs. I’m working with the historic preservation commission to write a story about Orange Memorial Hospital in hopes it can be restored. I saw your comment on a website recently. Would you be interested in a brief chat about your memories of the hospital? darrentobia.research@gmail.com

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    2. Although not born @ OMH myself, my mother and four brothers were. What a shame that it is in ruin! (Where do area patients go now?) I believe there was also an Orthopedic Hospital somewhere nearby; my mother and siblings went there for polio Physical therapy @ 1954. (And then to Wuensch's Shoe shop in Brick Church, EO, for corrective footwear after polio.) OMH was the local hospital for surgeries and the ER for our family.

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    3. I think a story just as large, but more timely during the pandemic, is the demolished hospital in Belleville (most recently the Essex Geriatric Hospital?).
      It was the center for polio patients and known as "SOHO," presumably because it was the iSOolation HOspital. My mother and brother were treated there.
      I recently spoke to an operating room nurse in Florida who had worked there at that time.(Small world!)

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  8. My aunt worked there for many years till the 70s her name was winefred cowan a rn does any body remember her

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  9. My birthplace in 1955 and a sad, abandoned complex today.

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    1. I was born there in 1952. Dr. Tooly was my moms dr., She named me Deborah after the nice nurse that took care of her.

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  10. My mother was an RN there in the 50's and I was born there in 1961.

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    1. Anyone know of a nurse Deborah working there in July 18, 1952 in delivery department?

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  11. I was born there in 1960 and I believe my parent's first apartment (and my first home) were on Henry Street.

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  12. i was born there in 1954 i graduated class of 1975 i would love to hear from any of my classmates when i see the hospital and our dorm on henry street it breaks my heart im at bougiemama@aol.com

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  13. I interned at OMH in 1955. Are any other interns from that time still around?

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  14. My daughter was born there in 1995. The nurses and doctors were wonderful! So sad it's no longer there.

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