| "A Tradition of Strength"
Bell Hospital is a thriving, not-for-profit community hospital that has been dedicated to serving the area's health care needs for over a century. The organization's modest beginnings are built from a rich mining history by hard working men filled with determination and a lot of heart. |
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With the discovery of iron ore during the rugged 1840's in the newly developing communities of Ishpeming, Negaunee and surrounding areas, there became a need for doctors. In the beginning, that need was met by traveling nurses and physicians and a tiny hospital. |
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| The first community hospital opened its doors to patients on Canda Street in Ishpeming in 1872. By 1887, the hospital had grown and relocated to the former Legion building on Pine Street with a physician force numbering four. |
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In 1917, Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company took the lead in building a new 50 bed hospital with the latest medical and surgical equipment. The state of the art facility opened in 1918 and by 1950 there were 68 members on the hospital staff. |
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| In 1952, Ishpeming attorney and Cleveland Cliffs Vice President Francis A. Bell helped transfer ownership of the hospital from Cleveland Cliffs to the Ishpeming Negaunee Association. CCI pledged $650,000 towards a $1 million expansion project. The remaining $350,000 was raised through generosity with a pride, a strength and a spirit of the local citizens of Ishpeming, Negaunee and the surrounding communities. |
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| In 1954 the hospital was named Francis A. Bell Memorial Hospital following the respected civic leader's untimely death from cancer in 1952. |
