Wyoming Tuberculosis Sanitorium
| Wyoming Tuberculosis Sanitorium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Established | 1923 |
| Construction Began | 1926 |
| Opened | 1927 |
| Closed | 1981 |
| Demolished | 2012 |
| Current Status | Demolished |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Location | Basin, WY |
| Alternate Names |
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History[edit]
In 1923 the State Legislature passed the act providing for the Wyoming Tuberculosis Sanitarium and providing for the location to be chosen by the vote of the people at the next General Election.
Then in 1924 when Big Horn County was selected by a large majority of the vote. Then a battle began. In late 1924 a tuberculosis expert from New York, Dr. Kidner, came to Wyoming at the request of the Wyoming Public Health Association to survey two sites near Basin, two near Greybull and one or two near Lovell and make his recommendation as to the best location. His first choice was the so-called Broadmoor site, south of Basin. Then in March 1925 the matter of selecting the site came up before the Board of Charities and Reform and suddenly Basin woke up to find that the meeting was being held and the only town with representatives there was Lovell. An appeal was sent for a postponement, which was effective and the whole town went to work to present their case.
On April 16, a committee consisting of Mr. Thos, M. Hyde, Mr. P.P. Anderson, and Mr. H.R. Armeling went to Cheyenne to present Basin’s proposal to the board. The recommendation of Dr. Kidner, the cooperation of the town and the input of several town businesses swayed the committee and the decision was made to accept the location at Basin. Construction began in 1926 and the official dedication was held May 17, 1927. Inscribed on the plaque in the lobby was the following, “Dedicated May 17, 1927, to the promotion of public health and happiness.”
Things started changing in the late 50s and early 60s, tuberculosis was on the downswing and more facilities were needed for nursing care of the elderly. By 1969 all references to tuberculosis were removed from any references to the Wyoming Sanitarium.
Then in 1978, due to a growing need for nursing care in the state system the Wyoming State Legislature appropriated the funds to study the needs and make recommendations. The final suggestion was that a new 120-bed facility be built in Basin. In 1981 the Legislature appropriated the funds for the construction of the new facility and the curtain closed on the first part of the story “Old San.”
The second part of the story opened with the state, the county, the Basin Chamber and other entities looking for ways to utilize the building. Suggestions that were made encompassed governmental offices, a crisis shelter, a counseling facility, a substance abuse treatment center and even a minimum-security prison. All of the suggestions came up against the same problem — money. The cost of renovating the building was prohibitive.
By March 1983 the decision was made to “mothball” the facility until a need and funds were found to utilize it. The mothballing was done with the understanding that if no use was found within a period of time the building would be torn down. So closes the second part of the story.
Fast forward 29 years later. For nearly 30 years the building has been left empty and unused, and even though many attempts were made to find a use for the building; no use for the building was found and the cost of renovating or razing it failed because of the cost of asbestos removal so the building continued to keep watch over the town of Basin. Eventually the years took their toll and the building began to deteriorate. The time eventually came that something had to be done.
The building was slated for destruction. After removing the asbestos and preparing the building to be razed in a safe manner the heavy equipment moved in and started tearing it down earlier this month.
So ends the tale of one of Basin’s landmark buildings. A building that was “Dedicated to the promotion of public health and happiness.” All is not lost however, because the arch over the door, and the emblem from above the front door will be preserved in a memorial garden on the former building site. The WRC will also utilize the old nurse’s desk.
