Old Hope Haven Children's Hospital

[sandyshoes]

I wonder if anyone has pics/history of the area where the Hope Haven Children's Hospital was still standing on Atlantic Blvd., near the Publix?  I vaguely recall seeing the old structure when I moved over to this area, and wondered how old it really was, etc.? It was where the new condos are now.  Thanks. 

[Prax_N_Jax]

i remember it being a massive structure. all white and such. looked more like an insane asylum than a haven... but that was years ago when i was still a lil youngin'...oh yeah! btw, it was already closed when i first remembered seeing it.

[thelakelander]

Here is a link to a site that has an image of the old drive in.  This is the site where the Publix was constructed.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.landonhighschool1956.com/MemoryLane_files/image001.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.landonhighschool1956.com/MemoryLane.html&usg=__ohUDdwlO1sTvvsbCNYybde3ozrU=&h=323&w=412&sz=16&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=weTq_4pFQqbi-M:&tbnh=98&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhope%2Bhaven%2Bhospital%2Bjacksonville%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

[sandyshoes]

Yes, it did look like an asylum!  I think there were some wooden front steps that you could see through underneath.  Used to pass by it driving to the beach in  the '80s, that's when I first noticed it.  Still makes me sad, though, to think about all the little sick children who were in there, and those who may have passed right there on that land.  I'm often moved to say a prayer for them.

[lindab]

To me, Hope Haven hospital says something about modern medicine defeating terrible debilitating diseases. I remember the hospital from the time when polio was rampant and many children as well as adults were afflicted with the disease. When we think of polio we think of FDR and how he lived with and overcame his disability. Hope Haven was doing the same thing for children - treating them and helping them.

[danno]

I had my tonsils out there when I was 5...  All I remember is saying.... I don't wnat any more ice cream!

[lindab]

That is probably a record - a kid who doesn't want anymore ice cream.

[Prax_N_Jax]

for what it's worth, those new appartments are a welcomed additioon to that parcel of land. but i seemed to remember the neighborhood did not want such an establishment. had something to do with reducing the value of their homes.... but i could be wrong. never the less, the land has been put to good use. where is the "new" hope haven? i want to say i've seen it on beach blvd.

[sandyshoes]

I think I've seen it near JCCI,  on Atlantic?  Not sure if it's still a real hospital, though. 

[Dog Walker]

What the neighbors opposed on that site was a Wal-Mart grocery store.  There's a good Publix across the street and they didn't want the increased traffic another big grocery store would bring.  Wal-Mart withdrew and those butt-ugly apartments were built instead.  I think they are mostly vacant still.

Hope Haven is no longer a hospital but a social service agency for sick children and has offices on Atlantic Blvd a couple of blocks away from the old location.

[Charles Hunter]

[off topic]I still say if it had been a Kroger or Fresh Market, and not a Walmart Grocery, it would be open today.
[return to topic] I think Dog Walker is right, about what Hope Haven does now - the hospital portion was pretty much absorbed by Wolfson at Baptist.

[sandyshoes]

Do any of you wonderful historians have photos of the old Hope Haven hospital, please?

[sophiecubbedge]

I AM LOOKING FOR ANYONE FROM THE LATE 1930S TO MID 1940S WHO WAS IN HOPE HAVEN WHEN I WAS THERE , I WAS SOPHIE CUBBEDGE AND WAS THERE DUE TO GUG, ON MY LEG. AND WOULD LOVE TO RECONNECT WITH SOME  OF THE PEOPLE I MET THERE

[Ethylene]

Friends of mine live in the apartments and they have ghosts, including a little girl. They did not know in advance that it had been the sight of a children's hospital. They truly have the gift of clairvoyance.

[MonaLisaKyle]

I had two major spinal surgeries at Hope Haven back in 1981 for scoliosis. I nearly died during the first operation and I experienced an NDE. My weight dropped to 80 lbs by the time I left after being in there for a month. I remember doing physical therapy while in traction and I was pulled (with a rope no less) to a standing position for a few seconds and I could see the rooftop of the publix from my window. I had a nurse that made all the difference in the world for me, I will never forget her, her name was Jenny. Oh how I wished I could have thanked her for her kindness over the many years that have passed!