Hamtramck in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Saint Francis Hospital

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 5, 2019

1. Saint Francis Hospital Marker

Inscription. When John and Horace Dodge expanded their Hamtramck automotive factory in 1914, thousands of workers migrated to this area, creating the need for a local hospital. In 1927 the city built this Georgian Revival structure and opened it as Hamtramck Municipal Hospital. Mayor Stephen Majewski invited the Sisters of Saint Francis to run the facility. In 1931 the sisters leased the hospital building from the city for one dollar a year and renamed it Saint Francis Hospital. At Saint Francis Hospital, Hamtramck's Polish residents could discuss their health concerns with the Polish-speaking medical staff. The hospital closed in 1969 and the building was converted into Hamtramck City Hall.

Erected 2000 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1493.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 42° 23.954′ N, 83° 3.152′ W. Marker is in Hamtramck, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of Evaline Street and Falcon Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Evaline Street. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3401 Evaline Street, Hamtramck MI 48212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Poletown and Eminent Domain (within shouting distance of this marker); Tau Beta Community House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Saint Florian Church / Saint Florian Historic District (approx. half a mile away); Hamtramck Stadium (approx. 0.6 miles away); Colonel John Francis Hamtramck (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hamtramck Veteran's Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Dodge Brothers / Dodge Main (approx. 0.7 miles away); Central Woodward Christian Church (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamtramck.

Also see . . . Joseph Gwizdowski Obituary. My grandfather, Joseph Julius Gwizdowski, was architect of this building. He also designed other notable buildings in and around Hamtramck like the West Side Dom Polski (a meeting hall and social club, now a church), the Polish Art Center Building (today an emporium of Polish imports), and the old Davison Avenue Police Station. This link is to his obituary. Excerpt:

In 1915 he designed the West Side Detroit Dom Polski at 3426 Junction, and also designed the current home of the Polish Art Center at the corner of Jos. Campau and
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 5, 2019

2. Saint Francis Hospital and Marker
Norwalk. During the 1920s, he designed Hamtramck Municipal Hospital, which was later named Saint Francis Hospital and now serves as Hamtramck City Hall. This building is a Michigan Historic Site. He also designed St. Cunegunda Parish Catholic School, and the original Detroit Police Davison Avenue station, which has since been demolished.

(Submitted on August 13, 2023, by Joseph Whistler of Camano Island, Washington.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 958 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.