At the corner of Boyd and State streets on the hospital property, there is a sign that designates a “prayer spot.” Originally, that property was on the edge of town and was called Boyd’s Grove. This property has been used for many things.
In 1885, Boyd’s Grove was selected as the site of the Hancock County fairgrounds. This is the current Hancock Regional Hospital property. There used to be a huge tree on the hospital’s southwest corner, which was probably there when it was called Boyd’s Grove. Many a political meeting and rally were held at Boyd’s Grove at the edge of town. I do believe that the “Great Commoner,” William Jennings Bryan, spoke at the Grove.
The Hancock County Fair had a race track at the site. I have been told when the workers were building the hospital, they found the foundations of the old livestock barns. Eventually, Fannie Andis, who owned 12 acres near the site, donated it to the hospital. Mrs. Andis’ house was the one in which Dr. Elsbury’s practice is located. Rumor has it that Mrs. Andis would sit in front of the double picture windows and watch the hospital being built.
In the early days, people would go to surrounding communities for hospital needs. I remember several friends telling me that they were born in the Shelbyville hospital. According to a 1944 story, Andis, a well-known county resident, intended to purchase the old fairground property for the construction of a hospital. According to Andis, the site was conveniently located at the edge of the city and was filled with old-growth trees. In 1946, enough signatures were obtained to put a bond issue on the ballot. A “Committee for the Hospital’ was organized, and consensus was built: The bond issue was approved, 8,299 to 805. In 1950, a cornerstone was dedicated on the site. Nellie Lowe became the hospital’s first superintendent and chief nurse at an annual salary of $4,800. She had supervised the opening of hospitals in five Indiana and Illinois communities. After five years of planning and two years of construction, Hancock Memorial Hospital was dedicated on December 2, 1951. More than 4,200 people attended the celebration. Gov. Henry Schricker delivered the keynote address, and Harry Martin, popular farm news editor from WFBM radio, was the master of ceremonies. Patriotic singing was conducted by Lee Blazer of Lee Blazer Studios.
Fannie Andis died in 1972. She was also large benefactor for Earlham College in Richmond. Mrs. Andis passed over her previous requirement that her family names of Olvey-Andis be used as the name for the hospital. She did this when her investigations disclosed that the original resolution and petition to the federal government was made in the name of Hancock Memorial Hospital. To have changed this name through a small detail might have made it necessary to start the proceedings from the beginning and further delay the hospital. A longtime friend told of Fannie’s disappointment that the original proposal did not go forward. But she was generous to the hospital to the very end.
Now, an umbrella of entities including the hospital is called Hancock Health. I have watched the organization flower and grow. Low-cost labs and imaging; wellness centers; New Palestine facilities; the Gateway; and partnership with St. Vincent and much more are all signs of its growth and development. Thanks to CEO Steve Long’s leadership and the physicians, nurses, and staff for their yeomen efforts. We are blessed to have such a fine organization in the community.
Joe Skvarenia is the Hancock County historian. Send comments to dr-editorial@greenfield reporter.com.
