History

Eleanor Moore Hospital, Boone, Iowa.

Samuel Moore, a prominent Boone financier, originally purchased land to build a home. After hearing from Dr. Deering, a railroad physician, that a worker had died due to the lack of a local hospital, Moore donated the land for a hospital instead.
Moore named it Eleanor Moore Hospital in honor of his mother, inviting Boone County residents to help furnish the rooms—and the community responded generously.
In 1919, county voters approved acquiring the hospital from Moore, renaming it Eleanor Moore County Hospital.
A fire in 1925 destroyed the top floor and much of the equipment. Thankfully, no lives were lost. The hospital was rebuilt and renamed Boone County Hospital (BCH)—the name it proudly holds today.

The Boone County Board of Supervisors authorized bond sales to remodel the original building and add a new three-story wing—modernizing care for a growing population; 42 beds were added bringing the total capacity to 73 patients.
In 1953, voters again supported expansion with another bond issue to increase capacity and upgrade services.
The Boone County Hospital Auxiliary was founded in 1958 to support the hospital through volunteer service, fundraising, and advocacy, thereby enhancing patient care and advancing hospital initiatives.

1961-1999: Growth and Expansion

By the mid-1960s, another addition was built, expanding clinical space and service offerings to meet increasing community needs.
In 1993, the Boone County Hospital Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, continuing Samuel Moore's legacy by offering a way for individuals and organization to support Boone County health.
In 1964, the hospital launched a 24-hour ambulance service with a garage, two ambulances, trained staff, and advanced features like radios, oxygen, and resuscitation equipment.

Bonds funded new construction reflecting medical and technological advances. A large expansion added the Emergency Department, Surgery, Specialty Clinic, Family Birth Center, Special Care Unit, and central Atrium.
In 2002, McFarland Clinic became Boone County Family Medicine, and staff joined the BCH team.
The Ogden Clinic opened to expand access in western Boone County.
In 2004, BCH opened the F. William Beckwith Adult Day Services and the Madrid Family Practice Clinic.
BCH became a designated Critical Access Hospital, enhancing rural health care support.

Community Commitment: Project Be the Light, Boone Free Clinic, and community outreach programs.
Major Projects: Completed new MRI installation, helipad replacement with heated concrete, HVAC updates, and parking lot renovations.
Care Innovation: New Safer Room designed for patients facing medical and mental health emergencies.
Wound Center Excellence: Earned RestorixHealth’s Center of Excellence and Clinical Distinction Awards.
Infant Care: CDC survey scores surpassed national benchmarks.
Nurse Recognition: Nursing Honor Guard launched to honor nurses' lifelong commitment.
Celebrating 125-Years of trusted care in Boone County.