(Editor’s note: The following article is the first in a series leading up to the September celebration of Tyrone Hospital’s 50th year of existence. Information for the articles are being researched and submitted by Theresa Yanchetz, the hospital’s marketing director, and G. Kerry Webster, The Daily Herald’s editor, is compiling the information. This week, readers can learn the roots of the healing institution and who made it all possible.)
It opened in 1954 and at that time it was considered the greatest community project in the history of Tyrone. It created a great sense of pride and accomplishment for Tyrone’s residents because it was a project that brought to realization something they had hoped for, dreamed about, and worked at for decades— Tyrone Hospital.
In the early 1900’s, Harvey Gray, a prominent Tyrone businessman had a vision—to build a hospital to care for the people of Tyrone and surrounding areas. Mr. Gray passed away in 1916. When Mr. Gray’s last will and testament was filed, it was found that he directed some income from certain investments to go toward maintaining a general hospital in Tyrone. When Harvey’s widow Adda died fifteen years later their combined bequests provided $150,000 of “seed money” to establish Tyrone Hospital.
But it would take a number of years and many sacrifices before a facility was constructed. The depression of the 1930s followed by World War II made it difficult for the community to focus on the development of a hospital. It wasn’t until 1946 that a group of twenty-five community leaders took steps to develop the Tyrone Hospital Corporation, creating a legal entity that could conduct the business transactions necessary to construct a hospital. Many of the original incorporators were then elected to serve as members of the hospital’s first board of directors.
The Tyrone Borough Water department provided the location, donating nearly 17 acres of wooded land west of the Laurel Ridge.
“As a young boy, I remember the area was considered backwoods,” said Richard Searer, who serves on the Board of Directors of both Tyrone Hospital and the Tyrone Area Historical Society. “It was away from the heart of town, without the road or any of the structures that are now sitting on that hill.”
Once the land was secured, all that was needed then was an estimated $450,000 to construct and equip the facility. The Grays provided the first $150,000 so the corporations’ goal was to raise the remaining $300,000 to complete the project. And so it was said, Tyrone rolled up its sleeves and went to work!
The Tyrone Hospital Corporation, under the leadership of board president John W. Newlin, organized a fund raising drive with board member Harry Getz serving as chairman. Volunteers from just about every neighboring community, business, social and civic group, school, and many individuals gave both time and money to support the cause. In the end an estimated 2,725 people exceeded the community goal and contributed $388,760.81.
Mr. Searer said he remembers the fund drives. He said the community’s accomplishment with regard to the fund raising is remarkable.
“You have to remember that this was right after World War II times were tight for many people,” said Searer. “Undoubtedly, there were many people of very modest means who were generous in giving to the hospital.”
And so, in 1948 construction began.
The community continued to pave the way for a hospital. Contractor Russell C. Burket donated the excavation. The Adolph Engelman family donated road construction and grading of the hospital grounds. A significant amount of volunteer labor was also provided to remove more than 300 tree stumps and handle an estimated 3,000 cubic feet of earth.
By 1949 the shell of the hospital had been constructed and was under roof. Most of the interior partitions were installed. Some of the equipment had been purchased and was being stored. In the same year, women in Tyrone and neighboring communities formed the Tyrone Hospital Auxiliary. The auxiliary began to organize activities to generate additional support for the hospital. But the road became bumpy. Construction came to a halt due to rising construction costs and a number of unpaid pledges.
At this time, the Hospital board of directors pursued funds through the Pennsylvania Hospital Plan. The board pursued this funding for more than a year but without success.
In 1950, attorney John W. Newlin, who served as President of the Board of Directors submitted a brief on behalf of the hospital to the Central Regional Planning Committee of Pennsylvania at Harrisburg setting forth in convincing and undeniable terms the reasons why Tyrone should be declared eligible for federal aid. His appeal was successful. The plan would provide federal funds equaling approximately one third of the cost to construct the hospital.
“This was certainly a significant ‘win’ for the community,” said Mr. Searer. “In this day and age, healthcare providers can pursue a variety of grants and other funds.
