Health Care

Your Miami hospital used to look like that? And is that an iron lung? See for yourself

By Miami Herald Archives

No one wants to go to the hospital. But a lot of us remember them.

We had babies there. Or had our tonsils out. Maybe got a few stitches, or even lifesaving surgery.

But those small buildings of older Miami have given way to sprawling landscaped campuses with multiple towers. Some old hospitals have been demolished for luxury housing..Others have been converted to other uses.

Miami Beach used to have four hospitals. Now there is one, thanks to changing demographics and the rise of urgent care.

Let’s take a look at what hospitals in South Florida used to look like, inside and out, as we dig into the Miami Herald photo archives:

JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Miami City Hospital (The Alamo) in about 1920 became Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1924.
Miami City Hospital (The Alamo) in about 1920 became Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1924. Miami Herald File
Nurse Mary Corbett shows a new iron lung at Jackson Memorial Hospital, with Bryon C. Hanks, president of FPL, and Chas A. Mells, president of the hospital board.
Nurse Mary Corbett shows a new iron lung at Jackson Memorial Hospital, with Bryon C. Hanks, president of FPL, and Chas A. Mells, president of the hospital board. Miami Herald File
The Alamo at Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1978.
The Alamo at Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1978. Michael Steinbacher Miami Herald File
An early view of Jackson Memorial Hospital.
An early view of Jackson Memorial Hospital. Miami Herald File
Inside Jackson Memorial.
Inside Jackson Memorial. Bill Sanders Miami Herald File
Patient files in Jackson Memorial Hospital library in 1967.
Patient files in Jackson Memorial Hospital library in 1967. John Pineda Miami Herald File
Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1948.
Jackson Memorial Hospital in 1948. Chris Hansen Miami Herald File
An early view of Jackson Memorial Hospital.
An early view of Jackson Memorial Hospital. Miami Herald File

HIALEAH HOSPITAL

Hialeah Hospital
Hialeah Hospital Bob East Miami Herald File


Hialeah Hospital’s Addition Stalled ..... but work expected to begin again.
Hialeah Hospital’s Addition Stalled ..... but work expected to begin again. Mark Peterschmidt Miami Herald File

NORTH SHORE

In 1953, North Shore Hospital in North Miami-Dade.
In 1953, North Shore Hospital in North Miami-Dade. John Walther Miami Herald File

MOUNT SINAI

Mount Sinai Hospital of Greater Miami opened in 1947 when it took over Alton Road Hospital in Miami Beach. They operated the 50-bed institution until they moved into the present quarters near 41st Street. This is the original building in 1950 before the new site was developed with today’s tower.
Mount Sinai Hospital of Greater Miami opened in 1947 when it took over Alton Road Hospital in Miami Beach. They operated the 50-bed institution until they moved into the present quarters near 41st Street. This is the original building in 1950 before the new site was developed with today’s tower. Miami Herald File
The old “Miami Beach Hospital” sign is removed to make way for “Alton Road Hospital.” The hospital was operated by Mount Sinai until its new site was completed.
The old “Miami Beach Hospital” sign is removed to make way for “Alton Road Hospital.” The hospital was operated by Mount Sinai until its new site was completed. Miami Herald File
In 1955, looking over the model of the future Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach are Rose Rogone and Mike Sampson both 5 years old.
In 1955, looking over the model of the future Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach are Rose Rogone and Mike Sampson both 5 years old. Mike Freeman Miami Herald File
Mounti Sinai in Miami Beach in 1980
Mounti Sinai in Miami Beach in 1980 Miami Herald File

HOLLYWOOD MEMORIAL

Hollywood Memorial Hospital in 1955. Today, the campus has a tower and multiple surrounding buildings.
Hollywood Memorial Hospital in 1955. Today, the campus has a tower and multiple surrounding buildings. Miami Herald File
Hollywood Memorial Hospital in 1961.
Hollywood Memorial Hospital in 1961. Mel Kenyon Miami Herald File

ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL

In 1991, the entrance of St. Francis Hospital off Alton Road and 63rd Street in Miami Beach.
In 1991, the entrance of St. Francis Hospital off Alton Road and 63rd Street in Miami Beach. Miami Herald File
St. Francis Hospital on Indian Creek in Miami Beach.
St. Francis Hospital on Indian Creek in Miami Beach. Miami Herald File
St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach in 1967. The campus has been redeveloped into luxury housing.
St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach in 1967. The campus has been redeveloped into luxury housing. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File

CEDARS OF LEBANON

Cedars Of Lebanon in 1969.
Cedars Of Lebanon in 1969. Miami Herald File
Expansion of Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in 1972. The complex is now the University of Miami hospital, across from Jackson.
Expansion of Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in 1972. The complex is now the University of Miami hospital, across from Jackson. Marlin Levison Miami Herald File

BAPTIST

Miami Baptist Hospital in 1960.
Miami Baptist Hospital in 1960. Lewis McLain The Miami Herald

MIAMI HEART INSTITUTE

Miami Heart Institute in 1983, in Miami Beach off Alton Road.
Miami Heart Institute in 1983, in Miami Beach off Alton Road. Miami Herald File
A parking crunch at Miami Heart Institute in Miami Beach in 1985. The hospital is now a residential complex.
A parking crunch at Miami Heart Institute in Miami Beach in 1985. The hospital is now a residential complex. Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File

PALMETTO GENERAL

Palmetto General Hospital’s professional building under construction in 1980.
Palmetto General Hospital’s professional building under construction in 1980. Miami Herald File

NORTH MIAMI GENERAL

Groundbreaking for the future North Miami General Hospital on Northeast 127th Street between Biscayne Boulevard. and 16th Avenue. Dr. Franklin J. Evans, president of the Dade County Medical Association, scooped out the first shovelful of earth. The 202-bed hospital cost $4 million.
Groundbreaking for the future North Miami General Hospital on Northeast 127th Street between Biscayne Boulevard. and 16th Avenue. Dr. Franklin J. Evans, president of the Dade County Medical Association, scooped out the first shovelful of earth. The 202-bed hospital cost $4 million. Miami Herald File
North Miami General Hospital in 1980.
North Miami General Hospital in 1980. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
North Miami General Hospital in 1981, which closed in the 1990s to make way for a college.
North Miami General Hospital in 1981, which closed in the 1990s to make way for a college. Miami Herald File

LARKIN

Larkin Community Hospital in 1997.
Larkin Community Hospital in 1997. Carl Juste Miami Herald File

MIAMI CHILDREN’S

In 1961, Variety Children’s Hospital near Miami, now known as Nicklaus.
In 1961, Variety Children’s Hospital near Miami, now known as Nicklaus. Miami Herald File
In 1957, Preparedness Day at Variety Children’s Hospital near Miami.
In 1957, Preparedness Day at Variety Children’s Hospital near Miami. Steve Wever Miami Herald File

VETERANS

In 1952, the University of Miami medical school began setting up a temporary home at the Veterans Administration Hospital, now the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
In 1952, the University of Miami medical school began setting up a temporary home at the Veterans Administration Hospital, now the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Bob East Miami HeraldFile

SOUTH MIAMI

South Miami Hospital in 1959.
South Miami Hospital in 1959. Bob East Miami Herald File
A four-bed ward at South Miami Hospital
A four-bed ward at South Miami Hospital Miami Herald File

SOUTH SHORE

South Shore Hospital in South Beach in 1985. The building has been demolished.
South Shore Hospital in South Beach in 1985. The building has been demolished. Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File
South Shore Hospital in Miami Beach in 1982.
South Shore Hospital in Miami Beach in 1982. Miami Herald File

PARKWAY

Construction of Parkway General Hospital in 1969.
Construction of Parkway General Hospital in 1969. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File
In 1985, the entrance Parkway General Hospital at the Golden Glades. It’s now Jackson North,
In 1985, the entrance Parkway General Hospital at the Golden Glades. It’s now Jackson North, Miami Herald File

This story was originally published August 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

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