Time Capsule from 1950 Unearthed During Hospital Demolition Project

A time capsule over 70-years old was unearthed this week during the demolition of the former hospital building in Concordia.

The facility at 1100 Highland Drive, formerly known as St. Joseph Hospital and later as Cloud County Health Center, began construction in late 1949.  The completely modern 150-bed hospital was dedicated on March 6, 1951.  The time capsule was placed within the wall of the building during construction in 1950.

Hospital Administrator Dave Garnas told KNCK News demolition crews uncovered the time capsule this week.

Many items were included in the metal box that was welded shut.

Garnas says contents will be on display at North Central Kansas Medical Center, the new single-story, state-of-the-art health care facility that opened its doors on November 16, 2022 at 155 W. College Drive in Concordia.

Cloud County Health Center, Inc. has started to tear down its old hospital this week.  DT Wreck It, a regional leader in demolition, environmental, and civil services, is demolishing the 72-year-old hospital piece by piece.

While it was obvious the hospital needed to build a safer, more effective facility, Garnas says he knows it's an emotional time for many having to say goodbye to the former building.

Desiring a viable re-use of the former hospital property in a manner that improves the community, the hospital Board of Trustees voted unanimously last year to gift the previous hospital land to the City of Concordia land bank for the purpose of developing moderate to high income housing.  The Concordia City Commission unanimously approved a Development Agreement with Cloud County Health Center for donation of the property in September 2022.

The city intends to develop a new residential subdivision once the demolition project is complete.

Last fall, the City of Concordia was awarded a Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant from the State Department of Commerce in an effort to address a shortage of moderate income homes in Concordia, which also included the use of a Rural Housing Incentive District to pay for anticipated bonds to be issued to construct the public infrastructure to serve these new homes.  The Concordia City Commission formally established a Rural Housing Incentive District and adopted a plan for the development of housing and public facilities in the district last month.

The city commission has also authorized Campbell & Johnson Engineers to proceed with platting this property to create lots sized appropriately for single-family home construction.  During their December 7, 2022 meeting, the commission authorized public infrastructure to be designed and constructed to support the new homes anticipated to be built on these lots.  Temporary notes will then be issued by the city to finance construction of the public infrastructure and converted to bonds.  Then, through the use of the Rural Housing Incentive District, the incremental increase in property tax revenue generated by construction of the new homes within the district will be used to repay the bonds.  Twelve new moderate income homes and four high income homes are expected to be constructed as a result of implementation of this plan.