The creation of Hickory Grove

GREEN BAY – In 1882, Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the germ that caused tuberculosis (TB) — Mycobacterium tuberculosis — but in the early 1900s, tuberculosis of the lungs was still one of the leading causes of death in the United States.

In 1912, the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis said that almost $19,000,000 — about $619 million today — was spent on an “anti-tuberculosis campaign.”

However, the number of cases in Green Bay continued to increase and the community began urging county government to research the possibility of a county sanatorium in order to isolate the transmittable disease.

But, county legislation in those days was slower, as the county board met on a semi-annual basis.

A resolution to create the sanatorium was presented in 1912 but shot down.

On Nov. 19, 1913, a resolution was introduced again by Fred Altmayer, of De Pere, but was deferred until the next day of their typical three-day county board session.

The resolution appropriated funding for the purchase of land and construction of a hospital and was passed 18-16 that Friday.

“After much parleying regarding the amount to be appropriated whether it should be $25,000 or $20,000 — a vote was taken and passed,” a Press-Gazette article stated.

A three-member Sanatorium Committee was appointed to find an appropriate plot of land, with Altmayer as chair.

The committee selected several sites on both sides of the Fox River at the junction of Green Bay and De Pere, as well as other spots in both communities.

In February 1914, the state board of control came to view the selected properties and a site along the west side of the Fox River in the town of Lawrence was ultimately selected.

One likely advantage was its proximity to the Chicago & Northwestern rail line, which ran adjacent to the property’s west side.

“The sanatorium will provide rooms for 20 regular patients with a capacity for 12 more by using two large rooms as wards. The construction will be of concrete and plaster frames. The building will be in a “T” shape… The building will consist of two stories and a basement,” an April 1914 edition of the Green Bay Semi-Weekly Gazette stated.

“There will be a large sleeping porch surrounding the sanatorium, an office, sitting rooms, examination room, private dining room for the employees.
“There is a flowing well on the site acquired for the sanatorium and an ample supply of cold water will be assured.”

In February 1915, the facility began taking its first patients.