Recognize this building? It’s the home across from the high school on Mashell, only back in the day it was the Lumberman’s Hospital.
Insurance for Loggers
Dr. A. W. Bridge has a contract with the Eatonville Lumber Company employees where each employee paid $1.00 per month for medical care. Dr. Bridge also had doctors in Kapowsin, Minaerl, Ashford and Morton. (There were no shortage of patients will all the logging taking place.)
In 1923 Dr. Bridge opened offices in Tacoma and in 1926 opened the Bridge Clinic in Tacoma specializing in surgery.
He continued the hospital in Eatonville until 1932 and had doctors in town until 1946 — the year he retired. All the Bridge Clinic contracts with industrial concerned expired the last week of May, 1946, and the local union signed up with the Pierce County medical Bureau. (History of Tacoma Eastern Area)
Photos courtesy of Debbie and Gary Saint.
Click on images to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 