Iola in Waupaca County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Iola Cancer & Tumor Sanitarium

— Historic Iola —

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 8, 2021

1. Iola Cancer & Tumor Sanitarium Marker

Inscription. Physician and surgeon Dr. George Dale studied cancers and tumors in Chicago prior to establishing practice in Iola in 1880. He built a structure dedicated to medical purposes at the southeast intersection of Main and State streets, with second floor offices, a main floor pharmacy where J. C. Land dispensed drugs, and a small attached building to the south for liquor.

In 1887, Dr. Dale also built a 50-ft. by 180-ft. private hospital and Sanitarium structure mid-block on the east side of Washington Street. The Iola Cancer and Tumor Sanitarium established there quickly earned national renown but enjoyed a relatively short life. With the 1898-1901 arrivals of Drs. Loope (Historical Iola No. 6) and Lee, references to the Sanitarium disappeared.

Sold for $5,000 in 1900, the structure was operated by various owners as the Park Lawn hotel for a few years, then as a rooming house and ultimately as the multi-dwelling McKay House. Acquired by the Iola Hospital Association in 1961, it was razed, with the site hosting a convalescent home attached to the Iola Hospital.

Dr. Dale was elected Iola’s first village president upon its

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incorporation in 1892. He passed away on April 24, 1901, at the age of 57.

Erected 2020 by Iola Historical Society. (Marker Number 16.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 44° 30.382′ N, 89° 7.77′ W. Marker is in Iola, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. It is at the intersection of Chet Krause Drive and Iola Street, on the right when traveling north on Chet Krause Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 165 S Chet Krause Dr, Iola WI 54945, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Iola Hospital (here, next to this marker); Birthplace of Numismatic News

Close-up picture on Iola Cancer & Tumor Sanitarium Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 8, 2021

2. Close-up picture on Iola Cancer & Tumor Sanitarium Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); R. I. Anderson Machine Shop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Iola’s Early History (about 400 feet away); The CWEC Electrified Rural Iola in 1939 (about 400 feet away); Iola’s Dr. Loope (about 400 feet away); "I’m Chet" / Some Chet Krause Lifetime Highlights (about 500 feet away); Clifford Marshall Thompson (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iola.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, August 8, 2021

3. Iola Cancer & Tumor Sanitarium Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 619 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 10, 2021, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.