Benson Hospital History - Benson, Arizona


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Benson Hospital's 35th anniversary was Marked on July 15, 2005 at its present location. The original clinic/hospital was privately owned by James Hesser, MD, who in 1960 retired and sold it to the Kartchner family. In 1963 the building was purchased from the Kartchners by the newly-formed San Pedro Valley Hospital District. In April 1966, the Hospital District was notified by the Arizona Department of Health that the facility did not meet the current standards for operation and it was issued a provisional license. It was then that plans began for the new facility. The Benson Public Library was built on the site of the old hospital and has undergone a major expansion.

Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Getzwiller, of Benson, donated ten acres of land on a rise with a spectacular view of the Dragoon Mountains to the east for the site of the present hospital. In June 1969 a contract was signed for construction of a new 22 bed hospital. On July 4 the same year ground was broken and construction began. A number of difficulties with the development and construction, an unfortunate truckers' strike and skyrocketing prices causing many revisions, delayed the timely opening of the facility. At last in early July 1970, the Benson Hospital was opened to receive patients.

An Open House was held on July 4, 1970, with guided tours conducted by Mrs. Beatrice Jamison, Administrator, and Ruth Allen, President of the San Pedro Valley Hospital District. Mrs. Allen is credited for her tireless efforts in making the new hospital a reality.

Almost immediately, filming of the movie "Rage", starring George C. Scott and Richard Basehart, took place in the Benson area. Much of the movie was shot in the new Benson Hospital. Some of the staff were used as extras. The movie is still available on video and gives an interesting view of Benson back in 1970.

What started as a small community hospital meeting the simple needs of the patients of this southeastern Arizona area has grown to care for an overwhelming Emergency Room use, in part due to three major highways junctioning in Benson - Interstate 10, State Highway 80 and State Highway 90. With the influx of hundreds of winter visitors and many new permanent residents, outpatient use in laboratory, radiology and rehabilitation have increased dramatically. As the area develops over the next few years, the Hospital Strategic Plan is a top-priority.

Ground was broken and construction completed for the new emergency department. It was expand to accommodate 8 beds, secured admitting, CT scans, isolation room with separate entrance and urgent care unit. It has been well used since its opening and is accommodating the community and travelers with a 24 hour on duty physician, well trained staff and ancillary services.