×

Huge cutback at Ray Brook tuberculosis hospital in 1964

The entrance to the state hospital at Ray Brook is seen in “Saranac 1937-1940” by Richard H. Ray. (Photo provided by Historic Saranac Lake)

The last couple of columns have covered events in Lake Placid from a copy of the Lake Placid News dated April 30, 1964. Now this week we will step back a month to a copy of the Lake Placid News dated March 12, 1964.

I am surprised it was the lead story in the LPN and not the Enterprise, since it affected so many people, not only in the Tri-Lakes but in all of the surrounding hamlets.

The Associated Press just last week carried a story by Mike Hill on the history of tuberculosis in Saranac Lake and the impact that had on the area. It brought back so many memories, some good and some not some not so good, of those days in the 1940s as I drove Mr. Hill around the village, pointing out the old landmarks.

Here are excerpts from the story by Peter W. Cox, then publisher of the LPN and the Enterprise:

“The Saranac Lake-Lake Placid area will suffer its greatest economic setback since the closing of Trudeau Sanatorium in April of 1954, it was learned Wednesday afternoon.

From the Enterprise, Sept. 17, 1996 (This photo has nothing to do with the story but I thought it would be nice to feature a doctor.)

“Ray Brook Tuberculosis Hospital cut back from 200 to 100 beds on April 1, 1965 and the number of employees will be cut correspondingly, although the number to lose jobs will be less than half those presently working there.

“Dr. I. J. Brightman, Assistant Commissioner of Health for Chronic Diseases told this reporter today that the hospital would be cut back to 99 beds. He said that a total shutdown was not forseen.

“Since maintenance will remain close to the same, most of the maintenance personnel will be retained. The greatest cutback in personnel will be among medical and nursing staff. The number to lose jobs will be less than 125.

“When the Trudeau Sanatorium closed on December 1, 1954, 125 persons were left without their former jobs. The Ray Brook reduction is the greatest single such action since that date.

“As of Friday, March 6, 339 persons in the Saranac Lake area had filed claims for unemployment benefits at the New York State Employment office.

My cousin Joe, a former Marine, was elected shortly after this ad appeared in the Lake Placid News in 1964. Advertising works.

“It is understood that state employees at Ray Brook who lose their jobs because of the cutback will be eligible for unemployment benefits.”

History of Ray Brook hospital

“The original hospital at Ray Brook was built in 1904, but an addition, the infirmary building was erected in 1939. It is this building that will remain open as a 100 bed unit.

(My grandfather, Patrick Riley, in 1904, then age 39, was working for Branch & Callanan driving a team of horses with a lumber wagon bringing supplies every day to the building site.)

“Ray Brook is the first and oldest of the regular state TB hospitals and was established largely through the efforts of Dr. John H. Pryor of Buffalo whose pioneer efforts ultimately secured legislation for the construction.

“Dr. Pryor became the first director (Wow, what a surprise!) at Ray Brook; Dr. James Monroe, present director is the sixth. Second director was Dr. Melvin P. Burnham followed by Dr. Albert H. Gravin, Dr. Harry Bray and Dr. Frederick Beck.

“Dr. Bay served the longest, 33 years, when he retired in 1950.

“In 1957 Ray Brook had 290 employees and 267 patients and an annual budget of over $1,300,000.

“In 1960 the Ray Brook budget was $1,542,000 with 267 patients and 275 employees.”

(Today the “hospital” is a New York correctional facility — facilities formerly known as prisons.)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today