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| Holy Cross Hospital in 1996: expanded since this photo State Archives of Florida |
Holy Cross Hospital
4725 N. Federal Highway,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
With its population boom during the late 1940s and '50s, Fort Lauderdale faced the need to expand its medical facilities. The roster of hospitals at that time included Broward General, Las Olas Clinic, the West Broward Emergency Hospital, and Provident Hospital (for the Black community).
No hospitals were available in the city’s north, a relatively desolate area, but as early as 1951 needs were anticipated.
In March of 1952, community leaders gathered to develop a plan for a new hospital. In December that year, land was made available by Arthur T. Galt to the Diocese of St. Augustine (all Florida Catholics fell under its jurisdiction until 1952). That land, 22 acres on North Federal Highway near Floranada, was described as “high and natural rather than filled in.” It would be easily accessible to residents of north Broward County as well as those in Fort Lauderdale.
Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan
4725 N. Federal Highway,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-771-8000
https://www.holy-cross.com/
By Jane Feehan
With its population boom during the late 1940s and '50s, Fort Lauderdale faced the need to expand its medical facilities. The roster of hospitals at that time included Broward General, Las Olas Clinic, the West Broward Emergency Hospital, and Provident Hospital (for the Black community).
No hospitals were available in the city’s north, a relatively desolate area, but as early as 1951 needs were anticipated.
In March of 1952, community leaders gathered to develop a plan for a new hospital. In December that year, land was made available by Arthur T. Galt to the Diocese of St. Augustine (all Florida Catholics fell under its jurisdiction until 1952). That land, 22 acres on North Federal Highway near Floranada, was described as “high and natural rather than filled in.” It would be easily accessible to residents of north Broward County as well as those in Fort Lauderdale.
The public, about 4,000 Fort Lauderdale residents, raised half the required funds for the 200-bed, $2,217,000 hospital. Pledges came in for real estate, stocks, bonds and cash. The diocese contributed the remainder. Ground was broken on Nov. 29, 1953. Six leaders of the Holy Cross Hospital Fund drive were on hand for the ceremony: William H. Maus, James S. Hunt*, J.D. Camp, Most Rev. Joseph P. Hurley of the Archdiocese of St. Augustine, Msgr. John O’Looney, pastor of St. Anthony Church in Fort Lauderdale, and Robert H. Gore.
Gust K. Newberg Construction Co. was tapped to build the structure and architects Steward and Skinner designed the five-story, E-shape building. Both companies were from Miami. Msgr. Rowan T. Rastatter served as hospital administrator and the Sisters of St. Joseph chosen to run the facility.
Gust K. Newberg Construction Co. was tapped to build the structure and architects Steward and Skinner designed the five-story, E-shape building. Both companies were from Miami. Msgr. Rowan T. Rastatter served as hospital administrator and the Sisters of St. Joseph chosen to run the facility.
Holy Cross Hospital was completed ahead of schedule and opened Dec. 8, 1955. Fifty beds were available that day with capacity to increase to 300 as community needs grew. A mass and dedication were held that morning. An hour later, Fort Lauderdale resident Charles H. Horberg was admitted as the hospital’s first patient for diagnosis and observation.
Classified ads soon appeared with real estate possibilities for a flower shop and other businesses ancillary to hospital operations. Swanky Frank’s, a drive-in restaurant already open several years, publicized its address as “at Holy Cross Hospital.” (A few years later, Burger King opened nearby and later moved to Commercial Boulevard.) That east-west artery soon became a major hub of residential and business development in Fort Lauderdale.
Today, a much larger Holy Cross Hospital houses 557 beds, provides outpatient facilities throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties, has established Holy Cross Urgent Care Centers, Holy Cross Medical Group Practices and the Holy Cross HealthPlex for hospital outpatients. It operates as Holy Cross Health with Michigan-based Trinity Health as parent company.
* James H. Hunt chaired the group after J. D. Camp became ill. For his successful efforts, Hunt was awarded the first Fort Lauderdale Daily News and WFTL-TV Citizens Medal of Honor in 1954.
Classified ads soon appeared with real estate possibilities for a flower shop and other businesses ancillary to hospital operations. Swanky Frank’s, a drive-in restaurant already open several years, publicized its address as “at Holy Cross Hospital.” (A few years later, Burger King opened nearby and later moved to Commercial Boulevard.) That east-west artery soon became a major hub of residential and business development in Fort Lauderdale.
Today, a much larger Holy Cross Hospital houses 557 beds, provides outpatient facilities throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties, has established Holy Cross Urgent Care Centers, Holy Cross Medical Group Practices and the Holy Cross HealthPlex for hospital outpatients. It operates as Holy Cross Health with Michigan-based Trinity Health as parent company.
* James H. Hunt chaired the group after J. D. Camp became ill. For his successful efforts, Hunt was awarded the first Fort Lauderdale Daily News and WFTL-TV Citizens Medal of Honor in 1954.
Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan
Sources:
Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 22, 1952
Fort Lauderdale News, April 23, 1953
Fort Lauderdale News, Nov. 30, 1953
Fort Lauderdale News, March 13, 1954
Fort Lauderdale News, April 22, 1954
Fort Lauderdale News, June 6, 1954
Fort Lauderdale News, Aug. 15, 1954
Fort Lauderdale News, Dec.
23, 1954
Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 4, 1955
Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 8, 1955
Tags: Fort Lauderdale history, Fort
Lauderdale hospitals, Holy Cross Hospital, Holy Cross Health
