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Lowell History: The Isolation Hospital

The Lowell Isolation Hospital, later called Meadowcrest Hospital. Officially opened in 1920. Partially opened in 1918 to treat victims of the Spanish Flu.

The Story of the Isolation Hospital

Part 11 -  the necessities of the many

            1890 to 1920 (The Golden Era of Bacteriology and the Progressive Era)

  • Part 11 - the neccessities of the many (webpage)
  • Part 11 - the necessities of the many (pdf)
    Part 11 - 1890 to 1920 (The Golden Era of Bacteriology and the Progressive Era)

    Part 11 of this series discusses the role of public health and related laws, ordinances, and other interventions for the prevention of infectious diseases in Lowell at the turn of the century. It will begin by presenting some background information about the changes in the understandings of infectious diseases during this period. Then it will present some of the changes in US society taking place at the time and the areas where these changes and understandings of disease came into conflict. The discussion will then be about Lowell’s challenges during this period using examples or case studies of public health problems, including the tensions between the actions called for to address the problems and the difficulties of implementing and enforcing the

Part 12 - in the face of probes

            1920 to 1924 (The first years of the Isolation Hospital)

  • Part 12 - in the face of probes (webpage)
  • Part 12 - “In the face of probes . . .” (pdf)
    Part 12 -1920 – 1924
    This part begins with an overview of the state of contagious diseases in Lowell during this period of time.
    Then the focus will be on first years of the Isolation Hospital. The story will begin in late 1920 when the Isolation Hospital officially opened as hospital for tuberculosis and other contagious diseases.