Mendocino Hospital Building, c. 1900. (Gift of Bruce Levene)
The Mendocino Hospital Company, founded in 1887 by Dr. William A. McCornack, marked a major milestone in healthcare for Mendocino and the surrounding coastal region. It was a cooperative enterprise aimed at providing reliable, affordable medical care for working men, particularly those laboring in the woods and mills, where injuries were common and often financially devastating. For just $2 to join and $1 per month, members received full hospital care, including treatment, medicine, board, and nursing during times of illness or injury. This model was not only innovative for its time but also deeply rooted in principles of community welfare and mutual aid.
The hospital initially operated from a rented residence at the southeast corner of Ukiah and Howard Streets (today’s Blue Door Inn). Originally built in 1883 for hotelier W.T. Wilson, the elegant home was described as one of the most desirable buildings in town, featuring large double parlors, multiple bathrooms, and ample space. The choice of such a well-appointed facility underscored the founders’ commitment to treating patients with dignity and comfort.
Dr. McCornack, a skilled and respected physician who had arrived on the Mendocino Coast in the 1870s, was joined in leadership by Charles C. Johnson as treasurer and Charles P. Thomas as manager. The company quickly gained traction; just three months after opening, the hospital boasted 700 members and had treated numerous patients. Testimonials from the time praised the institution’s effectiveness, particularly highlighting how it spared injured workers from financial ruin.
In 1895, McCornack partnered with pharmacist Herman Baum to purchase a larger building on Main Street (demolished in 1941) across from the Ford House. They moved the hospital there and expanded operations to include a drug store. The new venture, named the Mendocino Hospital & Drug Company, aimed to consolidate medical and pharmaceutical services under one roof.
Just two years later, the hospital relocated again, this time to Fort Bragg, where McCornack continued his practice until retiring in 1906. Though the Mendocino hospital closed, its decade-long run had introduced organized, cooperative healthcare to the region and created a safety net for those most vulnerable to workplace injury.
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