125 Years Ago, 1901 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“Ideal site purchased by Youngstown Hospital Association for its new buildings. They will be located on the Baldwin property and command a superb view.”

“The Youngstown Hospital Association has decided to accept the terms of the options secured on the Baldwin property, purchase the same and build the new $100,000 hospital thereon.

“This property, as previously stated in these columns, is located on the east side of Mill Street directly opposite Oak Hill Cemetery…. It is located on an eminence overlooking the Mahoning River with a frontage of 465 8-10 feet on Mill Street; 406 feet on Francis Street, or the south line; 429 feet on the north line and about 450 on the river front, affording ample space for the erection of the new and magnificent structures decided upon, which, when completed, will command the attention and admiration of every resident and visitor to the city….

“Shortly after the plans had been prepared for the new institution Leo Guthman, who had been identified with the Association since its organization, conceived the idea of securing a new and more desirable site for the handsome structures…. After having satisfied himself that the property already owned by the Association would not accommodate the contemplated buildings, Mr. Guthman, on December 20, submitted a suggestion that an effort be made to secure a more desirable site. The suggestion was not, at first, received with much favor but was taken under advisement. There were many reasons why it appeared impractical. In the first place the site on which the present institution is located was given to the Association by the late John Stambaugh upon the condition that it be used for hospital purposes, which condition prevented its sale. Another reason advanced against the plan was the lack of funds with which to purchase a new site in the event one was found….

“As above stated, the present site was donated to the Association for hospital purposes only, the transfer of the property including a condition that in the event of it being abandoned by the hospital it was to revert to the heirs of the donor – John Stambaugh…. The matter was laid before the heirs who, without hesitation, granted it and waived all rights and claims to the premises.

“The road was now clear, so, on December 24 President Randall Montgomery touched the button, so to speak, and Mr. Guthman started out in search of a new site. After careful inspection of available property in other sections of the city he visited the Baldwin property and was most favorably impressed with it…. On December 26, two days after he had been instructed to go ahead, Mr. Guthman had secured options on this property and went before the directors with a recommendation that it be purchased.

“The latter body went over the property, was very favorably impressed with it and, as stated in a previous issue, decided to accept the terms and purchase the property provided it met the approval of the architects. Mr. Dwight, of the firm Dwight & Chandler, who prepared the plans for the new hospital, was sent for and arrived here on Friday last…. He pronounced the site an ideal one and urged the director to purchase it, revise their plans and build the new institution there…. The transfer of the property will be made with a few days and early this spring the work of building will begin.

“Architect Dwight is now revising the plans, described in detail in a former issue, to conform with the new location and will have drawings and perspective ready to submit within a short time.”

• Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society