The 1960's were not an easy time for Mayers Memorial Hospital. After the dream of the late Dr. and Mrs. Howard Mayers materialized in 1956, years of struggle and uncertainty followed.
Mayers, who practiced medicine in the local area for many years, was tragically killed with his wife in an automobile accident in 1951. His dream did not die, members of the community shared his dream and continued to raise the funds needed to build the local hospital.
Efforts were spurred when Bing Crosby and friends performed benefit shows to raise over $16,000 in 1955 and another $23,000 in 1956. Additionally the community efforts raised another $44,000. Construction began on 5 acres of land donated by the McArthur family.
Much of the labor and materials were donated and a retired contractor donated much of his time supervising the project.
Finally the 10 bed facility was completed and equipment purchased in March of 1956. The facility was largely operated by volunteers at that time. Unfortunately, community leaders could not raise enough money to finance the operation of the hospital. In the fall of 1961 and appeal was made to Shasta County, when the proposal came before the board of supervisors, Robert R. Roberts, administrator of Memorial Hospital in Redding, proposed his hospital would be willing to look into the problem.
After many months of negotiations, the Redding hospital agreed to purchase the hospital for $90,000. In addition another $50,000 was budgeted to bring the hospital up to state standards. June 15, 1962 Mayers Memorial opened the doors.
In 1966, the hospital was ordered to make many changes by the state. Various factors prompted the Redding Memorial Hospital Corporation to abandon the building and it was set to be closed for good on October 31, 1966. A "cliff-hanging" ending scored a photo finish for the many local proponents of the hospital and the doors remained open.
In the late 1960s various regulations and the need for increased operational funding led the community to establish Mayers Memorial as a District Hospital, which provided the funding needed to draw new caregivers and specialists to the region. Mayers became a district in 1969.
Employees hired in the 1960's:
Pat Baremore (Brown)
Notable dates in 1960:
1962 - 2300 people attend hospital dedication at Inter-Mountain Fairgrounds
1965 - Mayers becomes a member of the United Hospital Association
1966 - Hospital Guild was formed
1967 - Talk of forming hospital district
1967 - Mayers first Open House
1968 - Starting wage for an RN was $3.20 per hour
1969 - Mayers Memorial Hospital District was formed
OUR HERTIAGE continues
Next up...the 1970's
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