This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
The United States Veterans Administration Hospital, located at 13000 Sayre Street in Sylmar was the first Veterans Bureau hospital to be constructed on the Pacific Coast. It consisted of twenty buildings costing approximately $1,500,000 and had one of the finest tubercular institutions in the world. Upon completion, it could accommodate 232 beds, and in case of an emergency, could handle 1,000 cases. The American Legion medical committee headed by Dr. Browning, assisted the Veteran's Bureau in drawing the plans and superintending the work. The hospital stood until the earthquake on Feb. 9, 1971, when it collapsed. The site is now a tree-shaded park with a view of Pacoima Canyon and a plaque memorializing the quake's 65 dead. Photograph caption dated November 19, 1958 reads "Mrs. Donald Catteral presents to Lowell C. Like, manager of Veterans Administration Hospital, San Fernando, literary material donated by Verdugo Hills Junior Women's Club for the hospital library. Mrs. Ruth Burwash, left, is chief librarian. Mrs. Roy Benning, club secretary, is at right." The hospital was actually in Sylmar.
Veterans Administration Hospital (San Fernando, Calif.) Veterans Administration Hospital (San Fernando, Calif.)--Employees Verdugo Hills Junior Woman's Club Librarians--California--Los Angeles Hospital administrators--California--Los Angeles Women--California--Los Angeles Men--California--Los Angeles Hospital libraries--California--Los Angeles Clubs--California--Los Angeles Books Shelving for books--California--Los Angeles Sylmar (Los Angeles, Calif.) Portrait photographs Group portraits
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