Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital and Nursing Home

History

In the mid1950s Dr HN Sutherland a local physician challenged the people of Ely with a dream for a new hospital Mr Abe Bloomenson an Elyite that had moved to Duluth wanted to do something for his hometown His gift of 100000 substantiated a 550000 bond issue for the new hospital With support from then Mayor Grahek the City Council local labor unions and citizens the bond issue passed construction on the hospital was completed and the new hospital named the ElyBloomenson Community Hospital in gratitude to Mr Bloomenson was dedicated on February 22 1958

History from the Dedication Program
In February of 1955 when the bond issue had been approved and the gift had been made the City Council signed a contract with the firm of Magney Tusler and Setter architects from Minneapolis Minnesota to draw the plans for the new hospital A site was selected with the City golf course and the beautiful Shagawa Lake in the background Contracts for building the hospital were let in August 1955 with ground breaking exercises being held August 28 1955

In a meeting in March of 1956 the mayor and City Council appointed five men to constitute the first hospital governing board These were Mr Edward C Bolitho Mr Joseph J Kovach Mr Matt Cherne Mr Sam Swanson and Mr Toimi Ahola Two additional appointments were made later and they were Mrs Fritz Elaine Lindbeck and Edward Zupancich These seven members all local residents then incorporated on October 8 1956 and became known as the ElyBloomenson Community Hospital Corporation

As a corporation they hired an Administrator Hans A Dahl who began his duties on May 1st 1957

In May 1957 a fund drive for equipment under the supervision of the Administrator was instigated The goal for this drive was 100000 and this goal was realized on November the 5th 1957 greatly helped by a 50000 contribution from Reserve Mining Company Many memorials were given and their gift of a rooms furnishings is signified by a plaque on the door of that room The fund raising teams worked long and hard for this victory a gloriously satisfying victory for the community with the numerous families contributing Here indeed is one of the most encouraging examples of what united community effort can do to achieve its common goal without state or federal aid