Presently on life support is an abandoned hospital located in a small community in Northern California. Furthermore, a buyer will want much more than just a scalpel to revive it.
Built in 1914 and in operation until the final doctor retired in 1972, the hospital is situated on Elm Street off the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway in Westwood, California.
A buyer would get 14,509 square feet of space on 0.69 acres for the $175,000 selling price.
Co-listing agent Elizabeth Bill adds, “It’s definitely a fixer and is in rough shape.” She lists the property alongside Cory Meyer. “There is a great deal of trash.”
However, Bill claims you can sense the essence of the previous hospital and how it may be restored to its former grandeur. The property was supposed to become a resort, but the intentions of the present owners were never carried out.
She remarks, “It’s a shame the building is in such disrepair; it’s an incredible building.” The building is made of wood and has some intriguing architectural characteristics. Bill likens it to “going back in time.”
It will be necessary to replace the HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems altogether. There are several areas that might be used as family rooms and bedrooms, as well as a sizable kitchen area with shelves and cabinets.
“The buyer will be a creative and aspirational person. Bill states that the ideal candidate would be someone who is passionate in restoring ancient, historic buildings or revitalising truly remarkable structures. “Someone who is passionate about hospital history, or just a creative individual with amazing business ideas who wants to give back to the community.”
Bill mentions that money could be available, particularly for restoring historic hospitals.
“Since it’s a large building, it will undoubtedly require someone with some insight and funding.” Although it is plainly in ruin, there is a lot of promise if you can secure the necessary funds to rehabilitate it.
Bill claims that despite the building’s state of disrepair, it is conceivable to see what it may become.
“Upon entering, it’s quite amazing. There is a large area of open space. In addition to its plainly startling state, the grandeur of it when you approach it by car or foot is as impressive, the speaker adds.
According to Bill, there’s a window that used to lead to the infant nursery, where relatives would first see their newborns.
She remarks, “When you walk in there, it really is like stepping back in time,” pointing out how important it was formerly to the town.
The hospital was constructed by the Red River Logging Company as a component of the Westwood sawmill and company town. According to published records, the corporation erected a 20-bed hospital in the 1920s and extended it to 100 beds because it required a location for its physician, Fred J. Davis, to give medical services.
The physicians used to reside in a flat on the third floor.
The dilapidated hospital is situated next to a large statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, which is a notable local icon.
When an advertisement campaign featuring Bunyan began in the 1910s, Westwood, in Lassen County, was a thriving logging town with employment available for lumberjacks.
In July 1988, Westwood celebrated the town’s 75th anniversary of foundation by dedicating a massive monument that was carved out of a 22-foot redwood log. It weighed in at 28,000 pounds and measured 12 feet broad. Approximately half a mile from the hospital, it is today a well-liked roadside attraction.
The hospital’s mixed-use structure is situated in a residential area. Due to the lakes and other recreational places in Lassen and the other counties, Bill believes it would become an excellent resort.
“What a cool building. The town is quite charming. It’s a lost chapter in American history, the speaker claims. “Seeing it return to its former splendour and make some kind of contribution to the community would be really neat.”
