Mount Clemens in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Saint Joseph Sanitarium and Bath House
Photographed By Joel S., July 17, 2015
1. Saint Joseph Sanitarium and Bath House Marker
Opened in 1899, the Saint Joseph Sanitarium and Bath House is the only building remaining from the Mount Clemens bath era. Beginning in 1870, people suffering from rheumatism, blood poisoning, diabetes and skin diseases, among other ailments, sought the curative powers of the baths. The city was hailed as "The Great Health & Pleasure Resort of Michigan." By 1911 the city boasted 78 hotels and 11 bath houses. Elegant and modern, Saint Joseph Sanitarium sported parlors, a library, steam heat, electric lighting, and a hydraulic elevator. It offered mineral baths until 1952.
In 1900 the Sisters of Charity of Mount Saint Joseph established a fifty-bed hospital in the Saint Joseph Sanitarium and Bath House, which they operated. That same year, the director, Sister Immaculata D'Arcambal, founded one of the first state-licensed nurse training programs here. Saint Joseph's eventually became the major hospital between Detroit and Port Huron. The present structure comprises the original Colonial Revival building, designed by local architect Theopholus Van Damme, and several additions. In 1990 Saint Joseph's was transferred to the Sisters of Mercy.
Erected 1997 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 42° 36.413′ N, 82° 52.814′ W. Marker is in Mount Clemens, Michigan, in Macomb County. Marker is at the intersection of North Avenue and Yeamans Street, on the left when traveling north on North Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 North Avenue, Mount Clemens MI 48043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Saint Mary's School (approx. half a mile away); Carnegie Library (approx. half a mile away); Zion Church (approx. half a mile away); Crocker House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mount Clemens Pottery (approx. 0.6 miles away); John DiGiorgio (approx. 0.7 miles away); Joe Kopicki (approx. 0.7 miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Clemens.
Also see . . . Cutter's guide to Mt. Clemens: The great health and pleasure resort of Michigan. See a guide to Mount Clemens from 1901 in Google Books. (Submitted on July 17, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Additional commentary.
1. Current
Photographed By Joel S., July 17, 2015
2. Saint Joseph Sanitarium and Bath House Marker
Saint Joseph is now part of Henry Ford Macomb Hospital's Mt. Clemens campus.
— Submitted July 17, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Photographed By Joel S., July 17, 2015
3. Saint Joseph Sanitarium and Bath House Marker
Photographed By Joel S., July 17, 2015
4. Saint Joseph Sanitarium and Bath House
Postcard by E.C. Kropp Co., circa 1940
5. St. Joseph Mineral Baths
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,786 times since then and 354 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 5. submitted on July 19, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
