Building Almonte’s First Hospital

The Alexandra Club 

At the beginning of the 20th century, Almonte was continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Because of this growth, the customary itinerant doctor was no longer the best option for the community. It remained common for doctors to travel to their patients, but it was clear that the town needed a hospital.

Alexandra Rosamond was the wife of renowned businessman Alec Rosamond. In 1900, Mrs. Rosamond contacted the Victorian Order of Nurses in Ottawa. Her aim was to get a district nurse for the community.

While doctors would visit patients as necessary, they were not able to be responsible for the long-term care of patients in need. Nurses took this enormous responsibility to tend to residents as needed. Yet a majority of residents could not afford to hire a nurse to care for them in their homes.

Knowing that many residents could not afford this level of care, Mrs. Rosamond then formed the Alexandra Club in 1903. The club was named for Queen Alexandra because of her interest in hospital work. The club’s goal was to open a hospital in Almonte for citizens who could not afford private nursing services. They hosted lawn socials, bazaars, and carnivals in an effort to fund the new hospital.

Founding members of the Alexandra Club:

• Alex Rosamond
• Miss Edna Davis
• Miss K. Wylie
• Miss Ligouri Stafford
• Miss Leila Forgie
• Miss M. Burns
• Miss M. Howe
• Miss B. Hamilton
• Miss Wylie
• Miss E. Young

The Cottage Hospital at 235 Ottawa Street, Almonte

Building the Cottage Hospital

Their efforts were successful, and a cottage hospital opened in 1904. Known as the Victorian Hospital, it was called a cottage hospital because it was in a cottage home. The building was leased by the Board of Governors of the VON on Ottawa Street in Almonte.

After the opening of the hospital, the Alexandra Club was still involved. The club would be responsible for supplying the furnishings for the hospital, as well as ordering supplies. It was also arranged that a Women’s Auxiliary would be formed to manage the operations of the hospital. This arrangement lasted for ten years, even after a new hospital was built in the community to replace the quaint cottage hospital.