Our History

Littlefork Medical Center History photo

The Littlefork Medical Community has a 75+ year history that has grown into a community legacy.

Our community opened as a hospital in 1932 by Dr. George Higgins. The following year it was taken over by Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Hanover. Its popularity outgrew the hospital’s size and in 1936, Dr. Hanover decided to build a new, modern hospital complete with doctor’s offices, operating and delivery rooms, laboratory, nurse’s quarters, and living quarters for himself and family.

In 1937, the first open house was held and hundreds of visitors came to see the new hospital. Within two years, the second floor was remodeled and completed. The hospital had become a community institution, drawing patients from all over Koochiching County.

In 1951, Dr. Hanover offered to give the hospital, complementary property, a considerable amount of cash, and accounts receivable to the village of Littlefork to be operated as a municipal hospital and nursing home. To this day, the community still acknowledges a debt of gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Hanover for their generous deed.

In 1961, it was decided by a public mass meeting to build a new hospital and turn the old one into a nursing home. The 1964 addition became the new hospital and a 22-bed nursing home was established in the old frame hospital. In 1969, the clinic moved into the hospital. In 1972, the citizens of Littlefork voiced their desire for a new nursing home by voting a 2 to 1 margin in favor of a new structure.

Construction of the new 40-bed nursing home was completed in 1974. In 1975, pharmacy and laboratory facilities were added to the complex. The older frame building was destroyed and in its place, a 12-bed assisted living community was constructed. Additional space provided room for a chemical dependency facility. The community’s on-site orthopaedic services were recently added to help residents maintain their independent and active lifestyles.

Today, vibrant campus occupies the east end of Main Street in Littlefork, just 20 miles south of International Falls. With 12 assisted living apartment homes, 53 skilled nursing accommodations, 10 chemical dependency units, and an expansive health clinic, the Littlefork Medical Community is the only locally owned and operated health system in Koochiching County offering such extensive services in one location.

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