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News
By Vicki Browne
On Feb. 15, 1931 the brick building at 601 North Washington Street in Iron River opened its doors as the Stambaugh General Hospital. Over 93 years later, it has been purchased by Jimmy Mylchreest, the West Iron County Fire Chief, and Jocelyn Javoroski, who owns and operates the local child care business West Iron Sprouts.
The story of Parcel 055-202-001-00 began in March 1927 when A. H. Proksch was hired as a contractor to build a 35-bed hospital for a total cost of $100,000. ‘Remembering Stambaugh’ by Sandra Thoney and Gloria George states that the architect was M. N. Willis of Duluth and the cost of construction was shared by 10 mining companies.
The building was built to be fire-proof with concrete floors, terrazzo tile, steel joints and beams, metal lath and one-inch thick plaster. Wood was only used for the trim and finishings. The hospital used the latest technology in its operating and obstetrics rooms, had a modern kitchen and laundry, an elevator, and living quarters for the matron and nurses.
Mabel Overett Brewer was the first matron and many locals will recall babies she delivered.
Stambaugh General Hospital served the community for almost 40 years, until Aug. 31, 1969 when its doors were closed. The new hospital on Ice Lake opened in June 1972.
A very helpful conversation with Matthew Christensen, deputy register of deeds for Iron County, revealed that from 1970 until 1990, ownership of the building passed through many hands.
• In 1973 Martha Laturi and her son Philip purchased the building for $33,000 from Iron County. The Laturi family owned and operated nursing homes for patients in the county.
• In 1979 Grant Helgemo and William Marcell purchased the building. Marcell also owned the Wooden Nickel and Mertin’s Cafe.
• In 1982 Dale and Sharon (Helgemo) Slevoski were the new owners with plans to convert the building into private apartments.
• January 1990 shows ownership passing to First of America Bank of the U.P. By November of that year, the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department bought it for $22,500.
The Dickinson-Iron Health Department operated out of 601 North Washington Street from 1990 until August 2023, when they moved to 1374 Commercial Avenue in Crystal Falls. Daren Deyaert, director and health officer, commented that the Iron River building needed updating. The new location better suits the needs of clients and staff.
In early 2024, the Iron County board put the building up for bids. Mylchreest and Javoroski submitted a bid to create a multi-use building with housing, small local shops and day care. Stamford Polytechnic, an alternative high school offering small group and on-line learning, also submitted a bid.
Mylchreest and Javoroski declined to comment on their plans for the future of the building.
According to Mark Stauber, Iron County board chair, the board chose the local bid because it had more potential to serve the community’s needs.
Deyaert indicated that the sale from DIDHD to Mylchreest and Javoroski is complete.