On This Date in Minnesota History: December 26

December 26, 1979 – The Kline Sanatorium, Anoka’s first hospital, was built in 1902 and operated by local physician Dr. James Franklin Kline. The sanatorium had fifty-four rooms, all adequately heated by steam and lighted with electricity. “In fact, one of Dr. Kline’s specialties was the treatment of nervous disorders through the use of electricity.”*

“Anoka became famous as a place to seek restored health. Patients came from all over Minn., Wis., Mont., and the Dakota and Iowa to receive treatment for various ailments at the Sanatorium.”*

After a tornado hit Anoka on June 18, 1939, the Sanatorium housed 23 families who had lost their homes until further arrangements could be made.^ The building was listed on the National Register of Historical Places on this date, and is now used as apartments.

http://nrhp.mnhs.org/NRDetails.cfm?NPSNum=79001187

http://www.ac-hs.org/klinesanatorium.htm

*Minnesota History; by Mary Ann Kiefer; Research Paper; Nov. 14, 1989; located at Anoka County Historical Society.

^The Anoka Herald; Former Kline Hospital is Mecca for Homeless Following Tornado Disaster;” Anoka, Minn.; July 5, 1939.

Kline Sanatorium, Anoka, Minn.
Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Dec. 26, 2013,
as long as acknowledgement included.