Old Providence Hospital, it has to be one of my favorite buildings in the city.
I’ll never forget the day I was looking
for houses in the Central District and stumbled upon it.
“Wow!” was the only thing I could say.
Th is
is the kind of impressive landmark that gives a whole neighborhood a sense of place, relation, grounding, etc. It’s the kind of building that isn’t built anymore.
I took these photos that same day in May 2007 after I’d found the house.
Click on the thumbnails for higher res.
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
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| Seattle’s Providence Hospital (now Swedish Medical Center, Cherry Hill). Photos by Jess Cliffe, VintageSeattle.org. |
As someone who lives in this general neighborhood, I also appreciate the “cornerstone” that such a building gives to the neighborhood. But I do find it a bit sad that much of the architectural beauty has been blocked by furture additions to the building — particularly from the west looking east. You have done a great job of capturing some of the historic buildings best sights, but these tend to be limited to an area along Jefferson primarily now since the subsequent additions tend to block them out form other angles around the building.
I also fret over the loss of the beauty of this building. As Swedish continues to delete all that beauty, covering most of the inside of the building with marble, be of good cheer at least Swedish is keeping some things intact. As a recent patient I can attest that the pillows are still the old Providence pillows, they are clearly marked with PHS. Of course I still have pain in my neck for several days of using them. Maybe I should have gone to the lobby and slept on the marble floor for greater comfort. Those are some old pillows but I’m sure Swedish has done some research and that a new lobby is better for my health.
I came into this world at Providence.
Swedish doesn’t actually own the old building any more. It was sold to Sabey in 2001 or 2002, not long after Swedish bought the campus from the Sisters of Providence.. They lease some space there, but it was Sabey that gutted the old girl and transformed it into a modern office building. Sabey still owns the building.
I loved poking around the old 1910 building when I worked there. There were lots of interesting spaces, some non-patient care areas that probably had the original floors, and tunnels between the 1910 building and the facilities annex. I loved the old chapel on the 5th floor with its stained glass windows and pipe organ.
I was born there too. I spent alot of time there. My mom was a dietitian there for over 30 years. She loved Providence. I remember knowing all the nuns. And watching the assembly line in the kitchen. Each tray had a handmade placecard at the holidays. A turkey made out of a walnut for the Thanksgiving meal. It was the only hospital for our family. Best hospital for heart issues. My mom had heart surgery there. She never went home but I don’t have any ill feelings. She received such wonderful care. Very compassionate ICU staff.
I am wondering if Swedish Medical Center-Cherry Hill kept the pictures of all the graduated nurses that trained there. I understand the pictures went all the way back to 1915. After the remodel, the pictures were removed but no one seems to know where they are now. I am looking for my grandmother.
I was born there in October, 1973. I was adopted!! I was told that she lived in Montana and came to Seattle to live with her aunt until I was born. All the information my parents and I know is the Doctor’s name who delivered me. It bothers me every single day. Does anyone know how someone could locate these kind of files? There has to be a way to find out my nationality and medical background. I dont care if I ever meet my biological parents I love my life and I am very blessed, I just want to know my nationality and medical background????
Jan, The nursing school pictures were just rehung in the last month. They are in the hall near by the gift shop on the way to the cafeteria. They are wonderful. I’ll bet you can find your grandmother.
Took my first breath at Providence on Jan. 10, 1950. Hope to visit Seattle this summer.
I was born on Spetember 25th at this hospital, and I’m glad to be moving to Seattle next month. Hopefully, my second child will be born at Providence. I will try and make sure of it