New hospital, new name

Last week, county commissioners unanimously voted to change the name of the new healthcare facility currently under construction in Ekalaka. The new facility will be named "Carter County Healthcare Facility," and will be dedicated to the taxpayers of Carter County, according to unofficial commission meeting minutes.

The change of name will end a 79-year history of the healthcare facility in Ekalaka being named Dahl Memorial Hospital.

The original Dahl Memorial Hospital was built with county funds for the price of $14,000 in 1942. It was built on the back of the block designated and given to the county by pioneer Jacob Speelmon as "Court-house" square.

In June of 1942, commissioners adopted, by unanimous vote, a resolution to name the facility after Oscar A. Dahl. Dahl, first editor of the Eagle, was an ardent promoter and supporter of having a modern hospital facility in the community. He died before the building was completed.

Following is the resolution:

"RESOLUTION.

OSCAR Dahl Memorial HOSPITAL.

WHEREAS, the late Oscar A. Dahl, of Ekalaka, Montana was most active in his efforts to secure a Public Hospital in Ekalaka, Montana;

AND WHEREAS, the late Oscar A. Dahl was a community builder, devoting his time and efforts in the improvement of Ekalaka and of Carter County;

AND WHEREAS, his vision and imagination conceived a County Hospital situated on the Public Square adjacent to the Court House, in Ekalaka, Montana, and he devoted his public efforts to promoting the erection of such;

NOW, THEREFORE, in Memory of the late Oscar A. Dahl, - -

BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of County Commissioners of Carter County, Montana, that the hospital be hereby named and designated as the OSCAR Dahl Memorial HOSPITAL.

ENTERED this 3rd day of June, 1942."

A resolution passed by the commission in 1955 allowed for a new portion of the hospital to be completed in 1957. The resolution requested the Board to submit to the qualified electors of Carter County, Montana, at a special election to be held in July or August, 1955, the following question: "SHALL Carter County ISSUE BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $125,000, OR SO MUCH THEREOF AS IS NEEDED TO CONSTRUCT AND EQUIP A NEW COUNTY HOSPITAL OR AN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT COUNTY HOSPITAL?"

The new portion was built with funds from the bond issue and Matching Hill-Burton funds. "Dahl Memorial Hospital" was not mentioned in the bond language. Rooms were furnished by individual gifts.

Also in 1957, Dahl Memorial Hospital Association was formed, with lifetime memberships costing $10. From the group, a governing board was elected to help direct hospital business.

In June of 1968, again with funds from a county bond issue and Matching Hill-Burton funds, the twenty-one bed nursing home portion of the hospital was built. Again, "Dahl Memorial" was not mentioned in the bond language. Beginning in 1968, the old, original hospital was used for administration and doctor's offices.

The bond issue that county residents voted on in the November 6, 2018 election was on the ballot as "GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND FOR NEW Dahl Memorial HOSPITAL." The bond passed and allowed and authorized the board of county commissioners to sell and issue general obligation bonds of the county "in one or more series in the principal amount of up to $15,110,000, payable semiannually during a term as to each series of bonds not to exceed 17 years, for the purpose of paying the costs of designing, constructing, equipping, and furnishing on property located at the corner of East Park Street and Central Avenue South in Ekalaka or other acceptable site a new Dahl Memorial Hospital to be owned and controlled by the county."

That building is now named Carter County Healthcare Facility. It will, however, still be occupied by Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association, perhaps a lasting nod to Oscar Dahl, an ardent promoter and supporter of having a modern hospital facility in the community over 79 years ago.