It's still in the community, but it's back to just Delnor

It's OK to just call it Delnor Hospital. The three-story, 159-bed hospital on Randall Road in Geneva has officially dropped "Community" from its name. Almost.

"Referring to the hospital as just Delnor is in keeping with the evolution of our branding," said Brian Griffin, hospital spokesman. "But our legal name will always remain Delnor-Community Hospital in tribute to the rich heritage and legacy of both Delnor and Community hospitals for both staff and patients."

Griffin explained that, on the one hand, the "vast majority" of community residents, physicians and staff already know the hospital as Delnor. A formal change came last summer when "Community" was dropped from official hospital publications, news releases and letterhead. The name change isn't costing the hospital as it still uses letterhead and other printed material with the old name. But when reprints are ordered, "Community" is dropped.

Griffin said that the only sign on the campus that says "Delnor-Community" faces Randall Road, and will be changed to reflect the new name.

It was a tough decision. Delnor Hospital's roots go back to 1908 when Dr. Raymond Scott founded Colonial Hospital on Third Street in Geneva. The Greek revival style building not only housed patients, but was home to Scott and his wife, who would sometimes carry patients up the stairs.

As the need for hospital beds grew, patients were moved to Community Hospital in 1925, which was in the Fieldstone House in Geneva. It remained open until 1986.

According to Ron Rawson, archivist at the Geneva History Center, Fieldstone House served as the reception area and the hospital was built around it.

"Fieldstone House was incorporated into Dodson Place shopping center (on Third Street)," Rawson said. "Benjamin Dodson built Fieldstone House."

Rawson ought to know a thing or two about Geneva's hospitals.

"I was born in Community Hospital, my mother was born there in 1931, and my father was born at Colonial Hospital in 1924," Rawson said.

In 1940, Delnor Hospital opened at 975 N. Fifth Ave. in St. Charles. The name was inspired by its two largest benefactors, Dellora A. and Lester J. Norris, who left a rich legacy to the city's cultural scene as well.

Dellora was very involved in the construction of the hospital, and she served on its board for 40 years. The building is home to Delnor Community Residential Living for seniors.

Community Hospital and Delnor Hospital merged in 1986. The Randall Road facility opened in August 1991.