Places: Elizabeth General Hospital and Dispensary

A growing community felt the need for the new types of hospitals that were being established in other areas, so a group of physicians and civic leaders banded together, called on the community for help, and left a storefront clinic that the doctors established and purchased a home on Jaques St., near Elizabeth Avenue.

The hospital, incorporated in May, 1879, had no physical location until the Jaques St. property was purchased on April 16, 1880 for $3,200. After renovations and improvements to the property were made, and equipment was in place, patients were admitted on November 15, 1880.

It is said that during the early days of the operation of the hospital it was nicknamed "Jaques Folly" because of the way the home was converted for use as a medical facility, but the supporters of the hospital were doing the best with what they had available at the time. In fact, as soon as the hospital was purchased it was immediately apparent that a larger facility would soon be needed.

One of the interesting facts about Elizabeth's first hospital is that the main hospital building was designated for treating patients but those who required surgery were treated in a separate building where those procedures were performed.

Over the next decade properties were acquired in and around Reid St. and E. Jersey St., and plans were developed to begin construction of what became Elizabeth General's final location. "Jaques Folly" was abandoned in 1894 when the new hospital opened and the building was razed to make way for Elizabeth's Public School #9. The school opened in 1900 and still stands today. While no longer a school, the private property is now residences and the front of the building still carries the 1900 marker.

This information was last reviewed or updated on November 26, 2025. Adjustments may be made to this page as new information is added, making this a continual work in progress.