Postmarked 1913. A cozy looking place.
Hospitals seem a peculiar and dreary subject for postcards. But back in the day — before routine outpatient procedures and hospitals speedily freeing up beds — time in hospital (as patient or visitor) regularly spanned several days or longer, so penning a brief note to update absent friends or loved ones was probably not so odd. And what better way to do it than with one of the colored cards conveniently available at the hospital!
Postmarked 1945. The note starts out: “Having a swell time.” Love those roadsters!
~
About 1948. Yikes — looks more like a prison!
~
About 1910. Regal digs. Notice horse and buggy to bottom left.
~
Postmarked 1935. Street car or bus passing by.
O' Canada 
You are right, the hospitals did look sort of dreary and foreboding. But, I still enjoyed the postcards.
Especially the Ontario General!
A ‘swell time?’ More like swelling time 🙂 Victoria Hospital appears to be a palatial place. Ontario a fort knox as Hotel California where no one can ever leave.
That’s a good one!
Fascinating!
🙂
The Royal Victoria hospital is a eye catcher. But the picture before it captures the feelings I get when I enter a hospital…
🙂
Will wonders never cease, Brett! Hospital postcards! My goodness! The Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal looks rather regal, wouldn’t you say? Cher xo
Yes, Cher, that’s quite a nice looking facility!
These are so interesting! I live in Traverse City Mi and we have a restored mental hospital here, beautiful Italianate architecture, almost like a never ending castle. The theme was beauty is therapy. In viewing your post, it seems like what they lacked in answers for the ill, they made up in beauty. Except for maybe that prison looking facility!
thevillagetc.com
Great observations!
It makes sense — these buildings are beautiful. Well, maybe not Ontario Hospital… Thanks for the post!
Stephen, thanks for the comment!
These are fascinating! I’m from Montreal, but live in Toronto now, so I’m familiar with the “Royal Vic” and the Toronto General. Was born at the “Vic” on July 23 and my Mum still reminds me how sweltering it was with no air conditioning! Thanks for posting these.
Thanks! No AC in a hospital in the summer for any condition sounds miserable.
Wow, these structures are massive!
Some of them were very large for their times!
Pingback: Quebec Charm in Vintage Postcards « O' Canada