When the Catholic nuns known as the Sisters of Providence, first resided in Great Falls over a hundred and thirty years ago they established a hospital, launched the first nursing program in Montana, and opened an orphanage. The orphanage is now the St. Thomas Child and Family Center. The nursing program morphed into what is now the University of Providence. And Columbus Hospital merged with Benefis Hospital in 1996.
The first group of Sisters arrived in Great Falls in 1892. After operating out of a small temporary building which housed both the nuns and the patients, construction began on the permanent brick building which was completed in 1894. The first Columbus Hospital was located at the corner of 3rd Ave N and 16th St.
(Old Columbus Hospital built in 1894)
Over the years as the hospital grew and medical advances were made, the need for a new facility led to the construction of the new Columbus Hospital on the same piece of property, but this one would face 2nd Ave N. The new hospital building was completed in 1930. This building still stands. After the merger with Benefis in 1996, Columbus Hospital continued to serve the Great Falls community, becoming the Columbus Center office building.
According to the Columbus Center's website:
"The Columbus Center is a beautifully restored historic building. New ownership has refurbished, preserved, and enhanced the original beauty of this well built brick and glazed tile building. It is home to numerous businesses including a restaurant, bakery, caterer, banquet room, women’s health club, artist wing, beauty salon, and professional secretarial service.
The Columbus Center also hosts an array of professionals including attorneys, engineers, accountants, financial advisors, dentist, child and adult therapists, psychiatrists, naturopaths, insurance agents, etc."
Unlike many other business acquisitions, the Columbus Center has taken great pains to preserve the history of this building, even retaining the name. This has served to keep the story regarding the Sisters of Providence and the original hospital alive and well in the community.
To log this Virtual, attach a photo to your log of you or your GPS with the Columbus Center clearly visible in the background (your face is not required if submitting a photo of yourself).
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.