Hospital 50th Anniversary

The Cherry County Hospital is celebrated its 50th anniversary at the location on Green Street Wednesday afternoon with coffee and cookies. Members of the public were invited to reminisce with former staff, doctors and administrators during the event.  They also had several displays from the hospital over the years. Documents from the 70’s showed that a C-section cost 60 dollars, a spinal tap would cost 15 dollars.  Registered nurses made up to 3.80 an hour and the head cook made 2.35 in 1972.

The original Sandhills General Hospital was a two-story building run by Father Blaire and operated by two sisters in 1912.  Over the years that hospital was also operated by a private doctor, a local Methodist church and other entities.  From 1912 until 1930 the hospital was under five managements, but each was to no avail in keeping the doors open.

In 1930, the Tyler family assumed ownership and continued operation until 1971. Eva Tyler willed her assets to the Cherry County Hospital in 1972.

Over the years there were several bond issues for a county hospital which all failed.  One finally passed in 1973, and the hospital opened at its current location in 1975. Former administrator Brent Peterson and Jon Davenport attend along with former Doctors Allen Hunt and Steven Senseney along with current and former staff and current administrator Jim Bargen.