Randall Fogelman - Detroits New Center

Auto pioneer Henry Ford bailed out the struggling Detroit General Hospital and acquired sole ownership of the land and existing buildings in 1915. As he did with the automobile, Ford set about to create the best and most modern hospital, by using only the most state-of-the-art technology, methods, and techniques available. Since its founding, Henry Ford Hospital has grown from a 48-bed facility to one of the nations leading integrated health care systems. In addition, because of the hospitals location, many doctors choose to have individual practices in New Center and it is also home to two of the states major HMOs.

HENRY FORD HOSPITAL c . 1915. Financed and built by the auto baron, Henry Ford Hospital opened on October 1, 1915, with 48 beds. The original complex was made up of the patient building and other smaller buildings that housed the surgical pavilion, research quarters, kitchen, garage, and laundry. (Courtesy of the Lam Archives, Detroit, Michigan.)

HENRY FORD HOSPITAL GROUNDBREAKING. In 1917, Henry Fords right-hand man, Ernest Liebold, was given the task of building a new patient building on the grounds of the hospital. He picked Ford Motor Company architect Albert Wood for the job. Together the two men traveled the country visiting hospitals as research for their hospital. Later in 1917, the cornerstone was laid for what would become the new Henry Ford Hospital. (Courtesy of the Lam Archives, Detroit, Michigan.)

HENRY FORD HOSPITAL c . 1923. In 1921 the new 50,000-square-foot Henry Ford Hospital building opened. This new building, with 500 beds, was quite advanced for the day. The center tower of the building was six stories high and housed hospital administration. The patients were housed in four different four-story wings. (Courtesy of the Lam Archives, Detroit, Michigan.)

HENRY FORD HOSPITAL c . 1923. At the time, fresh air was considered an important part of the healing process. The new Henry Ford Hospital featured 40 porches with doors wide enough so that a hospital bed could be moved to the porch. There was also a rooftop garden that extended across the entire 750 feet of the roof. (Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library.)

HENRY FORD HOSPITAL LOBBY. Henry Ford wanted his hospital to be a hotel for sick people and that was no more evident than in the lobby. The lobby was finished with wood paneling and a skylight featuring imported glass. (Both photos courtesy of the Lam Archives, Detroit, Michigan.)

CLARA FORD NURSES HOME. In 1925, Henry Ford Hospital opened the Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing and Hygiene. To house the new students, the Clara Ford Nurses Home was built on the grounds of the hospital. The building was designed by architect Albert Kahn. (Courtesy of Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.)

CLARA FORD NURSES HOME. The Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing and Hygiene contained two buildings: the Clara Ford Nurses Home and the Education Building. They were connected by an underground walkway. Both designed by architect Albert Kahn, all finishes were selected under the supervision of Clara Ford, wife of Henry Ford. (Courtesy of Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.)