Title:
The region's short-lived hospital
Author:
Kimball, Carol W.
Subjects:
New London's Home Memorial Hospital
Home Hospital
Fire of October 1944
Fire of March 1897
The Elms
Spanish-American War fame, Colonel A.C. Tyler
Drusilla, Tyler's racing yacht
Riverside lots deeded to protect public view of the Thames
Home Hospital
Fire of October 1944
Fire of March 1897
The Elms
Spanish-American War fame, Colonel A.C. Tyler
Drusilla, Tyler's racing yacht
Riverside lots deeded to protect public view of the Thames
Object ID:
Kim12-074
Object Name:
Scrapbook
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Publisher:
The Day
Publication Place:
New London, CT
Pubication Date:
02/01/2010
Collection:
Carol W. Kimball
Summary:
New London's Home Memorial Hospital, which once stood at the southwest corner of Gardner and Pequot avenues, was started in 1920 by a board of citizens. They located the hospital in the stately mansion of the late Colonel A.C. Tyler, which was known as "The Elms." Drusilla, Tyler's racing yacht was often anchored in the harbor. Tyler, of Spanish-American War fame, commanded the third regiment of Connecticut's militia brigade, the equivalent of our National Guard. The Home Hospital was popular but its life was short, less than a quarter of a century. It was destroyed by fire on October 1, 1944. Fortunately, all patients were evacuated safely to the Lawrence & Memorial Hospitals. This was not The Elms first encounter with fire. On March 28, 1897, with only the butler in residence, a raging blaze ruined much of Tyler's home and its contents, including the family silver, but the mansion was soon rebuilt. However, after the second fire, the building was a total loss and insurance was insufficient to rebuild. Reluctantly, the Board of Directors, which included CPA William Zebulon White and Edward Raub, agreed that the land should be sold and that White should invest the principal. They hoped to amass enough money to build a smaller hospital elsewhere but their dream was never realized. Due to market conditions, the principal shrank to half its size. The remaining amount was presented to their former hostile competitior, the L&M Hospitals. Four homes now occupy the old Home Hospital site at 535, 541, 545 and 551 Pequote Ave. All have sweeping views of the Thames. The hospital directors specified in the original deeds that the riverside lots across Pequote Avenue could never be developed. The forethought of these good men assured that New Londoners will always enjoy the scenic views of the river Thames.
People:
Henkel, Bob Dr.
Tyler, A.C. Colonel
White, William Zebulon CPA
Raub, Edward
Tyler, A.C. Colonel
White, William Zebulon CPA
Raub, Edward
Search Terms:
New London's Home Memorial Hospital
Home Hospital
Fire of October 1944
Fire of March 1897
The Elms
Spanish-American War fame, Colonel A.C. Tyler
Drusilla, Tyler's racing yacht
Riverside lots deeded to protect public view of the Thames
Home Hospital
Fire of October 1944
Fire of March 1897
The Elms
Spanish-American War fame, Colonel A.C. Tyler
Drusilla, Tyler's racing yacht
Riverside lots deeded to protect public view of the Thames