A Quick Look Around the Old Chapman-Stimson Hospital, Eaton Rapids

When most newbies to the Eaton Rapids area drive by the intersection of W. Plain and S. Clinton, they notice that Addams Family-type mansion that sits on the southwest corner. Now a private residence, history knows this place as the old Stimson Hospital.

From 1918 to 1957, over three thousand births took place with countless thousands of others were patients...but before that, it was a residence. It was built in the 1870s – approximately 1874 – by a man called Mr. Sweezey. There are a few Sweezeys buried in Eaton Rapids and nearby Charlotte, but no clue as to which ‘Mr. Sweezey’ it was.

In the 1910s, the house was owned by Dr. William Puffenberger. Later in 1917, he sold the house to Harriet Chapman. Harriet enlisted Charles Stimson and Francis Blanchard – both doctors – and the three went ahead and turned the old Victorian mansion into a 20-room hospital.

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One day in 1919, Dr. Blanchard stepped into the elevator to discover there WAS NO elevator...just the empty shaft. He plunged from the third floor all the way to the basement where he was found by staff members. But it was too late; all efforts to save his life failed and he passed away.

In the 1950s, Drs. Chapman and Stimson also met their deaths inside the hospital. Harriet Chapman fell ill and became an in-patient in one of the second floor rooms. It was here where she finally died. Dr. Stimson met his death while suffering a heart attack while sitting at his desk.

In 1957 the hospital finally closed down, thanks to more modern facilities that more and more patients began flocking to. The hospital was turned into an apartment building until it was purchased in 2017 and once again turned into a home.

It was during owner renovations that paranormal activity was suspected: weird sounds emanating from the basement, an entity that is believed to be that of Dr. Blanchard, and things that move by themselves.

Currently, you can tour the old Stimson Hospital and possibly experience the strange occurrences that many others have witnessed.....and by the way, the old elevator shaft still exists...

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