Evolution of the county hospital

The hospital and farm on Polhemus Road had been established in 1876 (The site is now occupied by the Crystal Springs Rehabilitation Center). The main building of the poor farm was a fire trap, Dr. Kellogg reported. Lighting was inadequate, the building was badly ventilated and the four wards were overcrowded. Toilets were flushable, but there was no water, he continued, as the wells had run dry. The nurse dispensed medicine at her own discretion, clinical records were not taken of the patients and there were no regular visits by the county physician — and the place smelled bad.

In 1918, 21 acres of land were purchased from Keyron and Margaret O’Grady for $1,000 an acre. As early as 1906, after the Great Earthquake, shacks had been built on this land to shelter those who had lost their homes. This area was called Beresford.

By 1923, the county population was about 40,000. San Mateo, the closest city, had a population of about 6,000. San Mateo had the only hospital in the county — Mills Memorial Hospital. It was started in 1907 with six beds, and by 1921 had grown to 50 beds. But a new hospital facility in the county was a necessity to serve the public with the best health care available.

The cornerstone of the new hospital was laid on May 16, 1919. Barrett and Hilt constructed the community hospital at a cost of $160,000. The 30-bed hospital had a nearby wooden tuberculosis pavilion built on a rise near 29th Avenue. Dr. Wood C. Baker was the county physician and was called lovingly by the other physicians who helped him in surgery, "Dr. Baker — the one-man band.” Dr. Baker was named the superintendent of the San Mateo County General Hospital in 1923 and served until 1927 when A L. Offield was appointed the second superintendent. The staff of physicians was mainly voluntary. Departments were set up with some of the following in charge: Dr. Paul Biber — medicine; Dr. Alan E. Benner — pediatrics and contagion; Dr. H. C. Warren — tuberculosis; Dr. H. E. Alderson — dermatology; Dr. A. L. Offield — OB-GYN; and Dr. Baker — medical director. There were also departments of radiology, urology, anesthesia, surgery and thyroid and neurology. The daily cost per patient was calculated to be $1.95. Yearly salaries and maintenance were to be a little more than $36,000. In 1923, an 89-bed hospital unit opened. By 1930, population of the county was close to 77,000, and there was a need for further expansion of the community hospital. In 1934, a 51-bed third unit was built.

The tuberculosis annex was moved to the San Mateo County Canyon Sanitarium in 1941. The annex was demolished in 1953. In 1956, construction of a 600-bed hospital began with a west wing added for 114 acute care and 28 psychiatric beds. In 1962, the name was changed to the San Mateo County General Hospital. In 1978, due to his long service as director of Health and Welfare, Harold D. Chope, after serving for 22 years, was honored posthumously with the renaming of the hospital to the Harold D. Chope Community Hospital. He was the author of 28 technical articles and had received many honors in the field of public health. He became internationally known for his interest and work in medicine. Dr. Chope died in 1976.

By 1974, a total of 1,859 beds were being utilized at the hospital. Not all of the activities at the hospital, however, could be credited to the doctors. In 1938, the auxiliary to the San Mateo County Medical Society was formed and it was used extensively by the hospital. The ancillary became a necessity to hold costs down and serve the public better. The auxiliary members assisted the Red Cross, helped with surveys, helped the medical staff, gave Christmas parties for the children with cerebral palsy, decorated the Christmas trees, helped with maintenance of flowers at the hospital and held benefits for the children’s ward, worked on several hospital bond issues, etc. etc. etc. They were indispensable in helping to maintain a high standard of medicine at Chope Hospital.

The name of the hospital has been changed again. It is now called the San Mateo Medical Center. The original buildings of Chope Hospital have been razed and a completely new facility has arisen from the ashes of the original Chope Hospital.