St. Joseph’s Sanatorium (Baldwin)
El Paso, Texas

Description: St. Joseph’s Sanatorium (1928-1971)
Other Names: Albert Baldwin Health Resort (1905-1910); [Dr. R. B.] Homan Sanatorium (1910/11-1928); Mt. Franklin Center (1971-1972)
Address: 1901 (originally 300) Grandview Avenue, El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
Type: medical: sanatorium
Original Client: David C. Baldwin
Date: 1903 – 1906
Condition: demolished October, 1972

Architect or Firm: Henry C. Trost
Associated Architect or Firm: Trost & Trost
Contractors:
Dimensions and Orientation: three stories, U-shaped; original capacity, 40 patients
Budget/Cost: over $150,000

Foundation: probably stone
Wall Materials: (Mt. Franklin?) stone
Roofing Materials: Spanish tile
Other Materials Used: wood window surrounds and porch supports
Remodeling and Additions: a two-story porch added to the facade early on, apparently by Trost & Trost. Alteration done in 1928 to modernize the building

Location of Drawings: none known to exist
Location of Documentary Photographs: El Paso Public Library: Ponsford 551, facade with two story porch; Aultman A5723, A5278, perspective views before the porch; A5767, rear view; A5779, side view; A5727, rear garden, A5217, perspective from front corner; 1781 and 454, perspective views

Bibliography:(1) El Paso Public Library: vertical files, numerous newspaper clippings on the history of the building. El Paso Herald, December 28, 1928 speaks of the alteration to the building at a cost of $5000. Modernized
(2) El Paso Herald July 26, 1905 photo of the Baldwin Sanitarium in Highland Park
(3) El Paso Herald March 27, 1903 page 1 ‘A Big Sanitarium For El Paso With-in A Year, The Property Site
Having Already Been Purchased
(4) El Paso Herald December 12, 1903 page 15 Foundation for Baldwin Sanitarium completed

Remarks:  In the El Paso Herald March 27, 1903 (page one) speaks of a big sanitarium for El Paso within a year. In December 12, 1903 (page 15) reports that the foundation is completed and work will be pushed on the building. By July 1905, pictures of the Baldwin Sanitarium are appearing in the El Paso Herald.

Mr. Baldwin was a cashier of his father’s New Orleans National Bank for several years and was postmaster during President McKinley’s first term. He came to El Paso for the benefit of his health.

Prepared for the El Paso Public Library by Lloyd C. and June F. Engelbrecht under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, 1990