November 21, 2009
What's Inside:
Building has served city for a century
‘For public uses, forever’ was businessman’s vision for property
‘For public uses, forever’ was businessman’s vision for property
One of St. Joseph’s oldest buildings celebrated its 100th birthday Thursday.
But it was more than 150 years ago that John Patee laid out his plans. While he was a businessman, content on developing a flourishing community just outside of St. Joseph’s Downtown, the land Mr. Patee donated at Tenth and Lafayette streets was for one purpose and one purpose only.
“To the public, for public uses, forever,” he wrote, according to historical records.
The land and building have been home to many entities, from its early years selling hay, wood and produce to a metropolis of public forums with the offices of the Social Welfare Board and the National Guard Armory.
“We just felt like it was important to celebrate this,” said Carol Stockwell, executive secretary of the City of St. Joseph Health Department. “ ... The fact that it’s still a vital building in this community.”
An open house welcomed staff, city leaders and community members to see the building. Patee Market underwent a $1.9 million renovation in 1995 after years of discussion about whether to raze it.
Gary Chilcote, director of the Patee House Museum, Jesse James Home and a retired News-Press and Gazette reporter, gave a brief overview of the history of Mr. Patee and the area that became known as Patee Town.
“It is an important area and the building played an important role,” Mr. Chilcote said. “It’s important to remember our history ... to know where we’re going.”
The structure was completed in 1909 by contractors George and Burnett. The Social Welfare Board moved into the building in 1916, and except for a short stint in the Corby Building has remained at Patee Market ever since.
Several agencies, including Associated Charities, the Tuberculosis Society, the Visiting Nurses Association, Polyclinic and the Board of Health Lab moved into the building in the 1920s, which at that time was being called Community Hall. The Municipal Courts and Parks and Recreation departments also moved to the building in the 1970s.
Today, the city’s health department, WIC offices and clinics share the space.
“It’s always been used for public uses,” Ms. Stockwell said. “This building is in pretty darn good shape.”
Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.
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Its a miracle this building still stands. 70% of all our other buildings were lost to history....
tear it down.... it is functionally obsolete!!!!!
JUST KIDDING....... happy birthday patee market, and thank you for your years of service.
I am amazed it was not knocked down during urban renewal. When I was in high school in the 70s, we spent a day there upstairs as a service project doing some cleaning prior to the current restoration. It was a filthy storage place for junk, so it is great that it was cleaned up and used and preserved.