Demolition begins on 96-year-old hospital building

Demolition started on the Margaret Jenks Unit of McLaren Port Huron hospital in Port Huron, Michigan, a report by the Times Herald says. The 96-year-old building served as an emergency room, children’s ward and housed polio patients in its past.

Most recently, the building housed the hospital’s human resources, HealthAccess call center and administration and volunteer services.

Ginger VanNuck, hospital spokesperson, told the Times Herald that the building cost around $30,000 per year to maintain and was no longer operational without expensive improvements. She also said a time capsule was found in the cornerstone, dated 1921.

After demolition is completed, architectural details, such as the lintel with the unit’s name that has been removed, from the building will be put on display at the hospital’s lobby.

According to the report, Margaret Jenks lived from 1858 to 1924 and was married to prominent Port Huron attorney W.L. Jenks. In 1926, funds from the King’s Daughters were approved to create the children’s ward in her name. In 1949, the hospital board of trustees approved naming the building after Jenks. In 1950, the building was remodeled to become the children’s ward.