St. Joseph's Hospital, San Francisco
historic place
St. Joseph's Hospital, a historic place in San Francisco, was founded in 1889 by five Catholic sisters of the Order of Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart. It became known as 'the working man's hospital'. The Franciscan Sisters provided nursing and administration, accepting patients regardless of religion or nationality. They kept rates low by donating their services and offered charity care. The current Spanish Renaissance Revival building, designed by Bakewell & Brown, opened in 1928. St. Joseph's Hospital served the city's health care needs for 90 years. It closed in 1979 due to structural seismic issues and efforts to reduce hospital beds. The building was later converted to condominiums. This site reflects a significant chapter in San Francisco's medical and social history.