Fowler Hospital
Fowler Hospital was officially opened Easter Sunday 1946, with Dr J.C. Robb, long time physician in charge. Mrs Linn Frazier donated her home for hospital use. She left the community to make her home elsewhere. The hospital was shut down sometime after 1967, probably '68 or '69. This information is from "Pioneer Stories of Meade County" date: 1950. I hope this helps a little on clearing up some of the unknown on this building. After the hospital shut down, the building was used for a nursing home till the present nursing home was built in 1976.
Before Doc Olson came to Fowler, there was a Dr. Pfundt that was here (not sure if that is spelled correctly) for several yrs. He must have not liked it here as he didn't stay very long. He did build a new house in Fowler, that being across from my Grandparents. This being just a block North of the Catholic Church. There is a brick home on the corner now, the frame home being moved to Church St in Fowler. Bill Bergkamp - Fowler
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Just now saw these postings about the Fowler Hospital. My husband (Jack Reese) and I purchased this 10 years ago and have been restoring it ever since....a BIG labor of love. We would LOVE to know more history, and more than that, would love if anyone has pictures to share. We know that the ground it sits on was purchased in 1876 by Lyn Frazer, and that sometime in the 40's (I think) it was made into a hospital. The only pictures we have are from the plat book and don't show the south side. I don't get on the net very often, but will try to check back for any info. Thanks ! Suzanne
Just now got back on to check comments about the Fowler Hospital. I need to clarify something. Jack and I (and kids) are not living in it yet...it's still a major labor of love. In addition, the correct address is 417 Walnut. The address you mention is our current house. I hope no one has driven by this one, as they might think we've certainly "downsized" it, and not done it justice....LOL
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My daughter was born at the Fowler Community Hospital Aug. 1948. Dr Robb,& Dr Olsen were the resident doctors in Fowler at that time. My sister worked at the hospital then. She has a lot of stories to talk about. She remembers the names of many babes born there.- Pete Doerksen
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The Fowler Community Hospital was a big house converted into a clinic/hospital. According to my mom (Ruth Hantla) the Hospital was run by another doctor (she can't remember his name) who shared his practice with Doctor Robert Dougherty in Meade. Doctor Dougherty delivered me in 1950. The Hospital was about 2 blocks to the east of where the Fowler rest home is today. She did not know if the house was still there. The Fowler facility was closed in 1952, as a hospital when the Meade Hospital opened; although that Fowler doctor still had his practice in that building. Mom believes that the Fowler Community Hospital was around for about 10 years. My oldest sister Beverly was born out on the Lockart family farm north of Meade in 1935. At that time the closest hospital was in Dodge City. My mom will do some more asking around about the hospital. Brian Hantla
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Most of the (Meade) graduating class of 1968 was born in Fowler. Brian Hantla, Doug Davis, Teddy Winter, Larry Lemaster, Ronnie Novinger, David Golliher, Galen Friesen, Brian Clay, Sandra Friesen, Beverly Clay, etc. That's about the extent of my knowledge of the hospital. The one in Meade did not open until 51 or 52. I believe it closed when the one in Meade opened. - Brian Hantla
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My cousin Arlen Zielke, was a patient there in the early 50's. I recall going there to donate blood for him in 1952. Vern Zielke
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We have a picture with mom and 4 of us siblings around my dad's bedside in the Fowler Hospital. I came home from Tabor College to visit the weekend of my birthday in Feb. This was in 1953. Dad was not doing well at the time. He died Mar 4 in a Wichita hospital. Alma Regier
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Hi Nancy-It was so fun to read about the old hospital at Fowler. I was born there in 1957, my sister, Janet, was born at that hospital in 1959 and my husband James was born at Fowler in 1966. My little sister Margie however, was born in Meade in 1962. This may add more to the puzzle, but these are the dates that I know about. I remember going to the "hospital" when it was a nursing home, as a Kayette in High School, to visit some of the residents. I graduated from Fowler in 1975. Thanks for making me smile. Brenda (Mahieu) Reimer
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Nancy. I was born in the Fowler Hospital on July 21, 1951. I was the first of my siblings to actually be born in a hospital. Marilyn Bailey Hausknecht
Mother - Annie Lenora Lloyd Bailey
Father - JD Bailey
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Hi Nancy, Surfing around and saw where you are collecting info about the Fowler Hospital… My 2nd and 3rd brothers were both born there:
Russell Wayne Norman, b 18 Apr 1954
Gregg William Norman “Bill”, b 30 Mar 1955
Russ was born with a hair-lip there….interesting, I wonder how that little establishment handled such a rarity in births at that time?? Trudy Norman Kemper
These photos were taken by Merle Cheney in 2015, of the building that housed the Fowler Hospital. The small building below was housing for the nurses.
