Florence Crittenton Home and Maternity Hospital, hospital in Sioux City, Iowa, United States
The Florence Crittenton Home and Maternity Hospital was a facility in Sioux City, Iowa, dedicated to caring for women, children, and families in need. The main building was constructed in the early 1900s by the architectural firm Beach & Steele, later expanded with a maternity section designed by Beuttler & Arnold, offering both shelter and specialized medical care.
The facility opened in 1906, following the establishment of the Sioux City Women and Babies Home Association in 1897, which aimed to assist women in difficult circumstances. A specialized maternity section was added in 1913, reflecting the growing importance of maternal and infant care in the community.
The name Florence Crittenton comes from a movement dedicated to supporting women and children facing hardship. For the community, this place represented a commitment to care for those without resources and provide them refuge.
The grounds were located on 28th Street in central Sioux City and covered about 1.89 acres (0.76 hectares). Today the original building no longer stands, having been damaged by fire in 2009 and subsequently demolished, though the site remains part of local history.
This was Iowa's first specialized maternity hospital and provided a unique refuge for women without other options. Its pioneering role in maternal and infant care makes it an important yet often overlooked chapter in the state's medical and social history.
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