Battle Creek Sanitarium. Western Health Reform Institute. Battle Creek Sanitarium and Benevolent Association (1867-1942)
Organization
Dates
- Existence: April 9, 1867 to 1942
Historical
Battle Creek Sanitarium was legally incorporated on April 9, 1867 under the name Western Health Reform Institute. In the beginning the institution went through financial struggles for a few years and its medical staff was not well qualified. However, when John Harvey Kellogg, M.D. joined the staff in 1875 the Battle Creek Sanitarium grew and became known world-wide. In 1897, when the charter of the Western Health Reform Institute expired, it was reorganized under a new body, the Michigan Sanitarium and Benevolent Association. The new institution was to perform acts of an undenominational, unsectarian, humanitarian, and philanthropic nature. Later this provision would play a key role in Kellogg s attempt to show that the Battle Creek Sanitarium was not under Seventhday Adventist control.
On Feb. 18, 1902, the Sanitarium building burned down. While the Seventh-day Adventist leaders wanted only a modest reconstruction, Kellogg desired to build an even larger structure. This led to an open conflict between Kellogg and the Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership. This result in Kellogg eventually leaving the church.
Kellogg built a grandiose building but the new structure put the institution in heavy debt. A few years later the great depression hit the country. The sanitarium was not immune to the financial difficulties of the times. In 1938 the Sanitarium was re-organized under the name Battle Creek Sanitarium and Benevolent Association which took the assets and obligations of the enterprise. In 1942 the main building of the Sanitarium was sold to the United States government and the debt was paid in full. The Battle Creek Sanitarium, however, continued to have a few buildings, real estate, about one million dollars in cash and some other assets. The disbursement of these assets caused a controversy between Kellogg and other members of the association, most of whom were Adventists. Eventually there was a court action and the dispute was settled by dividing the assets of the Sanitarium between Kellogg and the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.
On Feb. 18, 1902, the Sanitarium building burned down. While the Seventh-day Adventist leaders wanted only a modest reconstruction, Kellogg desired to build an even larger structure. This led to an open conflict between Kellogg and the Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership. This result in Kellogg eventually leaving the church.
Kellogg built a grandiose building but the new structure put the institution in heavy debt. A few years later the great depression hit the country. The sanitarium was not immune to the financial difficulties of the times. In 1938 the Sanitarium was re-organized under the name Battle Creek Sanitarium and Benevolent Association which took the assets and obligations of the enterprise. In 1942 the main building of the Sanitarium was sold to the United States government and the debt was paid in full. The Battle Creek Sanitarium, however, continued to have a few buildings, real estate, about one million dollars in cash and some other assets. The disbursement of these assets caused a controversy between Kellogg and other members of the association, most of whom were Adventists. Eventually there was a court action and the dispute was settled by dividing the assets of the Sanitarium between Kellogg and the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Battle Creek Sanitarium Collection
Collection
Identifier: Collection 234
Content Description
The present collection contains: a) legal documents related to Battle Creek and its
properties; b) minutes of the Board of Trustees and some major actions taken;
c) financial documentation related to the Sanitarium and Dr. Kellogg;
d) correspondence primarily related to the court events; e) court documents;
f) materials describing the work done in the different departments of the Sanitarium; and g)
miscellaneous materials related to the Sanitarium and its history.
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1872 - 1945
Battle Creek Sanitarium Collection
Accession
Identifier: Collection 234
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1872 - 1945