F.A. Bell Memorial

Then...

The first Ishpeming Hospital opened on Canda Street in 1872. By the year 1887, the hospital grew and had to relocate to a former Legion building on Pine Street. In 1917, the Cleveland Cliffs Iron company built a new fifty-bed hospital, and was equipped with all the latest in medical and surgical components of that time.

Francis A. Bell then stepped in and transferred ownership of the hospital from the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company to the Ishpeming Negaunee Association in 1952. Cliffs deeded the property and pledged $650,000 toward the $1 million dollar expansion. In honor of Mr. Bell's time and dedication the hospital was renamed the F.A. Bell Memorial Hospital in 1954, after he passed away from cancer.
 

Above - All the staff from F.A. Bell Memorial Hospital. (Source: Bell Memorial, www.bellmemorial.org, Retrieved: 01/7/2008)

After technological advances in medicine were made, the hospital became outdated and more room was needed. Therefore, plans of a new hospital began to be discussed in early 2004. People accepted the idea and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. pledged $2 million dollars to the Bell Foundation in order to assist in the construction of the new hospital. After millions of dollars, time, and effort the hospital was finally to be opened.

Above - Ribbon cutting ceremony at the new F.A. Bell Memorial Hospital. (Source: Bell Memorial, www.bellmemorial.org, Retrieved: 01/7/2008)

And now...
On September 27th, 2008 at 8 a.m. all patients were officially moved from the old Bell Memorial Hospital located on 4th street to the new Bell Memorial Hospital located at 901 Lakeshore Drive. The new F.A. Bell Memorial hospital has more room, upgraded technology and state of the art birthing suites. With the upgrades in all the needed aspects the people of our community have more faith in our hospital. Now people can stay in our community instead of having to travel to Marquette General Hospital in order to receive medical attention. (Source: www.bellmemorial.org: Bell Memorial. Retrieved: 12/19/08)

To learn more about what the hospital can offer you and your family you can go to their website: www.bellmemorial.org. There are photo galleries of events the hospital has held, information about facilities, birthing centers and physicians.

F.A. Bell Memorial Hospital

901 Lakeshore Drive

Ishpeming, MI 49849

906-486-4431