Mount Saint Francis

The location is Nelson British Colombia, “Queen City of the Kootenays”, a community laid back and friendly in a scenic mountain setting. The time is early fall 2018 – yes we’re well behind in posting. And the reason we’re here? Glad you asked….just passing through on our way to one of the most amazing ghost towns ever, Sandon in the Silvery Slocan (links below to see what we documented there). On road trips we always make the journey part of the adventure and plan frequent stops to take in interesting things. Case in point here, we spend a little time with Mount Saint Francis Hospital, all boarded up and closed with a future we surmise that at best is uncertain.

The building dates from 1950 on land well away from the city core that was once a local ranch. Some reports make mention of it opening in 1947 but that may have simply been when the project started. There’s a plaque on the grounds that confirms the later date. Operated by an order of Catholic Nuns for most of its history, the Sisters of Saint Ann (sometimes with an “e”) administration was handed over to local health boards starting in 1996. These entities then continued to use the building up to 2005 when they vacated. And ever since it’s stood empty.

In reading up on the hospital it appears to have functioned as a limited care facility, an infirmary by best definition. Typically these did not provide emergency care but instead would accommodate those with less urgent, or sometimes extended health issues. Regardless of religious leanings, it’s said.

It’s not clear what will happen to the building in the coming months. Or years. We called around and came up empty. “Make it low cost housing”, seemed to be the hoped for outcome, however. This we know – demolishing it would be a tad costly. A cool million is what they’re saying. Renovating would come with a big price tag too. Things are not up to current code and there’s nasty asbestos about and toxic lead paint. So for now things are in a holding pattern. But one day a decision will need to be made.

The building is well sealed up with many cameras keeping an eye on things. This may deter entry into the hospital but it hasn’t stopped taggers from making their mark on its exterior. Nelson it seems has a disproportionately high graffiti problem. Seems they made no attempt to keep people off the property, just out of the building itself. We saw lots of folks wandering about, some dog walkers, some out for an afternoon stroll. They told us that using the grounds as a park of sorts (and it’s nicely treed, with gardens and vast lawns) is accepted practise.

Mount Saint Francis was built in the modernist style of architecture, a design philosophy characterized by new and innovative approaches to how common building materials were used. Buildings of this type often made heavy use of concrete (as was done here) although bold forms of steel and glass, or some mix of two or three, were often incorporated too. In city well known for its Victorian Architecture, this building stands out as something unique. The rounded facade at the one entrance is particularly pleasing feature.

The old hospital has been historically recognized by the City of Nelson. This in itself does not assure protection, but does help keep the building more in the public eye, which I guess can’t hurt.

There’s remains of a grotto in one corner of the property. When this shrine was in use there would be statues here, often of Mother Mary, but other Saints were common, along with other religious adornments. Out front, a monument to the Sisters of St Ann inscribed thusly: “What ever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters you do to me”. So play nice, be helpful and caring, to everyone no matter their position in life and make the world a better place.

Also found on site, an incinerator for stuff, I guess, that needed to be disposed of in a most thorough kind of way.

The Sisters of Saint Ann/Anne were founded in the 1850s in Quebec and have operated a number of schools and life care facilities throughout British Columbia over the years. They also have chapters in “La Belle Province”, the US Pacific Northwest and a number of far reaching countries.

From their website…

A Sister of Saint Anne seeks to be:

Saint Ann, taking title as grandmother to Jesus, is Patron Saint of Cabinetmakers, Housewives, Women in Labour and the country of Canada. Saint Francis (Saint Francis of Assisi) is Patron Saint to Stowaways (interesting), Ecology, Animals and the country of Italy.

Why the Hospital is called “Mount” Saint Francis is not known to us. We asked around…of course…but no one else knew either. There does not appear to be any peaks near Nelson, or even BC, so named. Or maybe we’re lost on the concept. In the know? We’re looking to you.

Passing by the grounds a bus belonging to Nelson’s Transit System. The city once operated street cars, and was the smallest city in the country to do so. Today, a tourist trolley down by the river relives those days of old. To see an old ex-Nelson Transit bus, go here: Baby Fishbowl.

And a look at the watch tells us it’s time to leave. The road calls. We ponder the building’s future, on looking back one last time. Will it be here when next we visit Nelson? A voice inside suggests change. Maybe good, maybe bad…who knows? It’s been empty for some fifteen years now and that’s a state of limbo that can’t go on indefinitely. We’ll be watching this one.

Did someone say Sandon?
Old Metal Sandon BC.
A Tour of Sandon BC.

In and around Nelson BC…
Under Wraps – cocooned locomotives (since moved).
Troup Junction – the trains no longer run.
SS Hosmer – steam tug remains on a lake.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: September, 2018.
Location: Nelson, BC.
Article references and thanks: Nelson Star Newspaper, City of Nelson, Royal BC Museum Archives.

At Mount St Francis Hospital Nelson BC.

Opened in 1950…

…It was closed some fifteen years ago…

…and it’s stood boarded up and forgotten since.

Taggers seem to love the place.

On the grounds, what was a grotto.

From the fringes of the property.

An incinerator?

It’s not clear what will happen to the building.

Wandering about, a most eerie feeling…

…Like we’re being watched! Centre top.

Once the parking area.

Outside the occasional dog walker we have the place to ourselves.

Through these doors…

Slow down, hospital zone…

A transit bus passes.

Entrance blocked to cars.

Plaque memorializes the date of opening.

The full view of a place with an uncertain future.