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GARFIELD
COUNTY, COGENWEB PROJECT
HISTORY OF RIFLE HOSPITALS
The Rifle Sanitarium. Built in 1904 then converted to the
Midland Hotel in 1916. It is described as a hospital and as
a hospice, I believe tuberculosis patients spent their final
days here. The 1902 Rifle fire burned down what was here
before. Dr. E. Dene Moore and his wife Ginny first
practiced medicine at the Sanitarium. Later that building
was the Midland Hotel.
I've
read that this was a TB Sanitarium
There is a sign for Rifle Hospital above the
Donell's Specialty Store.
(I am researching to try to determine the year of this)
In the fall of 1952, the Rifle City Council leased a
Vanville dwelling unit to the Rifle Community Hospital to be
used for hospital purposes. After a successful fund drive,
and by the end of 1953, the unit was completely remodeled
into a hospital.
Additional operating funds of $3,000 had to be raised before
it could open. Finally opening day came April 1, 1954. Harry
Brackett was the first hospital manager and Mrs. Jean Bowles
was superintendent of nurses.
The City Council also leased the unit directly north of
the hospital unit with plans to remodel it into a
Nurses' Home as funds became available.
The doctors pictured
were said to be four who would practice there. They are L-R:
Dr. Harry Knapp, Dr. E. Dene Moore,
Dr, E. E. Echternacht, and Dr. H. G. Robert
Knapp.
1961 Claggett Memorial Hospital
In 1961, voters approved the formation of a
special taxing district, Grand River Hospital District, to
ensure the availability of local healthcare. One year later,
the District opened Claggett Memorial Hospital and began
serving patients. This hospital served the Rifle
Community for many years. The building has now been
demolished in about 2018 and there is Grand River Hospital
out on Airport Road.
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