Historic Sites of Manitoba: King George Isolation Hospital (1 Morley Avenue, Winnipeg)

The King George Isolation Hospital in the Riverview area of Winnipeg was built between 1913 and 1914 by the Claydon Construction Company. It opened in 1914 for the care and treatment of patients with communicable diseases. For its time, it was considered one of the most modern isolation hospitals in the world. It was a key facility over the years for numerous epidemics, including the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1919 and the polio epidemic in the 1950s.

A four-storey, red brick residence for nurses beside the hospital was designed by city architect Robert Edgar Davies and built between 1920 and 1921 by the construction firm of Carter-Halls-Aldinger.

By 1960, the focus of care had changed to chronic illness. The four-storey, two-winged building was demolished in 1999 to make room for Riverview Health Centre’s new complex.

A commemorative plaque and arch from the former hospital is located near its original main entrance.

Aerial view of Princess Elizabeth Hospital at right, King George Isolation Hospital at centre, and King George Nurses’ Residence at rear during the 1950 Winnipeg Flood (1950) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2023-0039 King George Isolation Hospital (no date) Source: Archives of Manitoba, George Harris Fonds, Acc. 1979-141, P7447, Album 1, Page 21. King Edward Memorial Hospital at left and King George Isolation Hospital at right (no date) Source: Rob McInnes Nurses’ Residence at the King George Isolation Hospital (no date) Source: Archives of Manitoba, George Harris Fonds, Acc. 1979-141, P7447, Album 1, Page 21. King George Hospital commemorative arch and plaques (2010) Source: City of Winnipeg Nurses’ Residence Arch (2010) Source: City of Winnipeg Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.86866, W97.12068 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Robert Edgar Davies (1882-1959)

Manitoba Business: Carter-Halls-Aldinger

Historic Sites of Manitoba: King Edward Memorial Hospital (1 Morley Avenue, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Princess Elizabeth Hospital / Winnipeg Municipal Hospital / Riverview Health Centre (1 Morley Street, Winnipeg)

Manitoba Organization: Riverview Health Centre

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Don Gerrie Park (80 Churchill Drive, Winnipeg)

Sources:

Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 28 April 2023

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