632 13 Avenue Southeast
Calgary is home to many interesting parks and historical sites, and the location of the former General Hospital #2, referred to as the Rundle Ruins, is no exception. With the name ‘ruins,’ you can likely guess what happened to the General Hospital, but let’s take a trip down memory lane, anyway. Construction began in 1894, in the heart of the Development Era, and was completed May 22, 1895. Hospitals today are filled with advanced technology; however, the General Hospital was considered modern for the time period because it included 35 beds, boasted electric lights, a signal bell, telephones, and dumbwaiters. Although this was fantastic at the time, I think most of us now would be concerned for our health if our hospitals were judged based on the inclusion of electric lights and telephone, and only housed 35 beds.
The General Hospital was one of the earliest examples of formal architecture within the city, and was also one of the earliest projects that used sandstone on a large-scale project. As you navigate through Calgary, especially within downtown and the Beltline, there are many examples of sandstone architecture that resemble aspects of the old General Hospital. Since the hospital was built during the time of substantial settlement in the area, the population was constantly increasing, which led to several additions to the hospital. These included a maternity wing in 1899, a second two-storey ward in 1903, and a second maternity wing in 1905.
The General Hospital attempted to keep up with the changes in the city, but after only thirteen years, a new hospital was opened across the Bow River, in Bridgeland. Citizens had allocated $10 000 to the construction of General Hospital #2, and there was also tireless fundraising to support it, making those thirteen years feel very brief. This is not the end of the story for the General Hospital, don’t worry…yet. The old hospital was used as an isolation hospital for those with chronic illnesses, before finally closing in 1953. Two years later, in 1955, the United Church of Calgary leased the building and opened a seniors’ residence within the hospital, called the Rundle Lodge. This hospital was stubborn and didn’t seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon.
1971 is where all the drama begins. In 1971, the building was acquired by the Metropolitan Foundation of Calgary from the City, and they quickly became the antagonists in the story of General Hospital #2. The Province offered to erect a new building on the site, after the demolition of the hospital. As you could likely guess, people did not take this idea well. Things got heated. Protests ensued, as citizens hoped to rehabilitate the building; however, a court decision was made that lead to the demolition of the building.
So, now that you know a bit about General Hospital #2, we can chat about the Rundle Ruins. The Rundle Ruins are what remained after the demolition of the building. Named after the seniors’ residence, they are now conveniently located within a small park in the Beltline, and available to go see anytime. The park features beautiful views of downtown as the backdrop for the snippets of sandstone infrastructure. These features make it a beautiful place for photos. If you’re hoping to amp up your Instagram, or simply love taking pictures, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially with Calgary’s gorgeous summer weather. Plus, you can add a caption with historical facts, and who doesn’t want that?
Information courtesy of the City of Calgary Inventory of Historic Resources
Photograph by Jocelyn Taylor
