Museum Corner December 2021

City Hospital became known as Dunn Memorial

By Becky Buher

This is the last of a three-month journey highlighting historic hospital care in Lawrence County.

In 1924 a limestone addition to the brick City Hospital made 28 beds available to patients. This improvement was made possible by a bequest in the will of Moses Fell Dunn, who died in 1915. His will had provided $15,000 be used for hospital improvements. In 1931, yet another addition became necessary.

By the late 1930s, a larger modern, efficient free-standing facility was thought to be the answer to serve ever-growing healthcare needs. Indiana Limestone Co. ILCO Builders magazine (Volume 2, No. 4) recorded: “a complete new hospital was erected back of the brick hospital and its additions. A new nurses home was also added. All of the stone (only), according to Mr. Phillip Furst, was donated by four stone companies: Indiana Limestone Company; the Carl Furst Stone Company; Ingalls Stone Company; and the Heltonville Limestone Company. The stone was taken to the hospital grounds in sawed slabs and the remainder of the cutting was done there. Ben Klein did a lot of the cutting and carving. At the time, Jay Garriott, local Building Contractor, was superintendent of the building construction. Walter Schloer and associates, Lafayette, Indiana, were the architects. The work was furnished by the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration). In 1941, the brick hospital building and its additions were torn down.”

Dunn Memorial Hospital, a 50-bed facility, was occupied in 1941, and an additional 50-bed addition was completed in 1951. This was the primary hospital for Lawrence and surrounding counties.

ILCO Builders magazine also recalled how the salute to Mr. Dunn had come about: “There are many who do not know how the present name for the hospital was obtained. It is recalled by several elderly persons, however, [this is] the exact story. The citizens of Bedford were called to a meeting to discuss the potentialities of the new institution and agreed when a name was suggested to call it the “Dunn Hospital.” The late H. P. Pearson suggested the name in honor of Moses Fell Dunn, an Attorney at Law. In part, Mr. Pearson said that Mr. Dunn was a man generous to a fault, he never let his left hand know what his right hand was doing, of sterling integrity, ever a gentleman honest and upright. He also stated that Moses Fell Dunn was a friend of man, tho no worthy man, rich or poor, high or low, white or black, ever called at his door needing assistance or asking aid, left it empty-handed or without substantial aid. This bit of information dispels the general belief that Mr. Dunn perpetuated his name by crossing a palm with silver, the honor coming to him unsolicited in appreciation of his high standing in the community.” 

1960—A county bond issue and hospital funds combine to purchase additional land and construct auxiliary areas. Additional departments and services were added through the decades. In 2010, Dunn Memorial became a partner with St. Vincent Health and continues to serve the community as Ascension St. Vincent Dunn.

By 1970, Dunn Memorial was no longer the only hospital in Bedford. A physicians group called Edgewood Clinic worked with community leaders in Bedford and local businessman U.S. Congressman, Eugene B. Crowe to build a hospital with additional services.

According to a March 2020 story on radio station, WBIW, “Bedford Medical Center opened July 1, 1970. Gov. Edgar Whitcomb, in his remarks at the dedication, called it ‘the most modern medical facility in the country.’ Following various expansions and mergers, the hospital became part of Clarian Health Partners, which changed its name to Indiana University Health after establishing a partnership with the university’s medical school.”

Indiana University Health Bedford celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, and Indiana Representative Chris May authored a House Resolution at the Statehouse which honored its inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory, emergency room and EMS services.

Through both St. Vincent and IU Health networks, the community now has access to a vast number of healthcare goods and services. The journey through Lawrence County’s historic hospital care has come a long way.

Source: Lawrence County Sesquicentennial publication, Newspaper accounts, “ILCO Builder’s magazine, published by the Indiana Limestone Company, Inc., Volume 2, No. 4, April, 1951, 2020 WBIW: Rep. May Honors IU Health Bedford Hospital’s 50thAnniversary.