It must be a hidden talent, but the first major building we stumbled upon coming into Hannibal was a giant abandoned building, which in this case is the former St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
It’s the usual story; it was founded over a century ago by nuns, it was added on to repeatedly over the last one hundred years, those same buildings became outdated, healthcare in America evolved, finally a new hospital was built out on the edge of town, and then this building was abandoned.
There have been efforts to renovate the hospital into senior housing, but that has not happened yet. There is a former chapel, which you can see above and below with the large rounded arch windows, which I bet was really beautiful before it was abandoned.
It’s interesting to see how the architectural styles change over the decades.
There is even a more Art-Deco style wing on the north end of the main building.
Amazingly, no one has stolen the very cool light posts flanking the entrance.
Mister Naffziger,
I was born in this hospital in 1979 and wish you could have seen it back then… It has tall ceilings, beautiful marble and crystal chandeliers. It used too, anyways. I would be very interested in seeing what the interior is looking like these days. Thanks for the article and pictures! I really enjoyed them ;-)~
Sincerely, Robbie K.
I hope it can be restored back to its former glory one day!
talk is it’s gonna be demolished
My Grandfather died here in Dec. of 1962. I was too young to be able to go into his room, so my Mom and Aunt took turns coming out and watching me. I was 7 at the time.
When they thought he was passing, Mom left me out in the main lobby, something you could never do today, and I laid down on the steps and went to sleep. One of the older Nuns picked me up and put me on the couch in her office. When Mom went to find me, she told her I was safe.
I remember the hot chocolate machine in the cafeteria, and getting a cup for 10 cents.
We stayed there for 6 days, until he passed. I remember the old hotel we were staying at. It was dark and I slept on the chair because there was only one bed, and Mom and Dad would crush me, no matter where I was. The chair was better, but Mom was crying a lot.
I was named for both of my Grandfathers. I carry their names proudly.
Grandpa was a coal miner, and one of the first wire drawers (manual) for Keystone Steel and Wire in Bartonville IL. He retired and bought a farm in Hunnewell MO. His first house was taken by a tornado, and the place I remember was in the actual town of Hunnewell.
I remember the hospital as a very clean, neat place with very kind people. I guess it going to be torn down, as it’s falling down and beyond repair. I hope I can get a brick from it to put in my garden.
RIP William Bowers, and Emil Kutz.