The plot an Washington street and South Cove, originally designed for
a market site, was used on several occasions for cholera and small
pox patients. In 1868 the city decided to use it for the City Charity
Hospital. In 1882 the city erected a larger hospital on Baldwin avenue
near Montgomery street. In 1885 the name was changed from Charity
to City Hospital. At present there are two hospitals, the Warden's
house, the stable and dead house. It is under the police management.
The surgeons and physicians gave their services: George O. Osborne
has been Warden since 1882. Samuel D. Key, the pharmacist, has served
since 1870, and much of the excellence of the hospital is due to
the efficiency of these two men. Christ Hospital, an Episcopalian
institution, was first started in the old Tonnele mansion on Magnolia
avenue. After a few years Dr. Abercrombie rented the building, and
largely through his efforts the hospital was made a success. In 1889
the new hospital was opened on Palisade avenue, and this year a large
addition is being made to the building. In 1890 a training school for
nurses was organized, which has graduated highly skilled and efficient
nurses. There is an out-door department which gives medical aid to
a large number. The maintenance of the hospital is managed by the
council, assisted by the hospital guilds.
St. Francis Hospital was founded in 1864, by the "Sisters of the Poor
of St. Francis," in a small way in a private dwelling on the northeast
corner of old Fourth and Coles streets. Now they have the most complete
hospital in the state, due, says the Journal's History of Jersey
City, wholly to the tireless work and activity of the noble order of
sisterhood who have charge of it. It is not endowed, is distinctly a
charitable institution, receiving neither state nor municipal aid. Its
charities are free to all, irrespective of creed, color or nationality.
Its a splendid evidence of the devotion to duty, indomitable courage,
perseverance, energy and self-denial of the Sisters. The number of
patients treated annually at St. Francis exceeds that of all other
hospitals in Jersey City.
The Home of the Homeless, started by a few ladies in 1883, now
situated at 266 Grove street, has accomplished a vast amount of good
in sheltering hundreds of children and a few homeless women. The
Children's Friend Society was incorporated in 1864. They established
the first Children's Home on southeast corner of Erie street and
Pavonia avenue, but in 1874 built the present home in Glenwood avenue,
near West side avenue. Here destitute homeless children are cared for,
clothed and educated, trained to become self supporting men and women.
One of the most worthy charities of the city. The Home for Aged Women
grew out of the efforts of a few ladies who started a fund in January,
1866. In 1868 the Society was incorporated. For seventeen years the
Home was at 131 Wayne street. In 1885 Mrs. Moore, a Scotch lady, gave
the Society her property on the corner of Bergen and Fairview avenues,
in consideration of a home in the institution for the remainder of her
life. They have added to the building, and it is now a comfortable home
for a large number of old ladies. The Catholic Societies support the
St. Michael's, St. Joseph and St. Mary's Orphan Asylums, each with a
school connected.
One of the most beneficent institutions of Jersey City is the Social
Settlement, the Whittier House, founded by Miss Cornelia Bradford, in
the old Clark house, 179 Grand street, in May, 1894. Miss Bradford is
the head worker, and is assisted by five "resident workers" and fifty
"out workers," who come in from neighboring towns and Jersey City, to
take charge of certain departments. The members of the various clubs
and classes pay small fees which are merely nominal. The work has been
extended to such a degree that last year it became necessary to hire
another building and still another will be required this year. The work
includes a kindergarten, medical and dental dispensaries, a sewing
school, classes in dancing, physical culture, in household service
(the kitchen garden) and cooking; numerous clubs, among which are the
"Mothers," the "Newsboys," "Working-Girls," the Civic League, etc.; a
Penny Provident Fund, a station of the Public Library, and altogether
too many branches of usefulness to be enumerated here. In another part
of the city Mrs. Brice Collard has a flourishing sewing school of over
six hundred members; also a Mother's Club, both of which do much good
work.