Grace Hospital's final day of operation was December 3, 1976 (which happened to be my 12th birthday). But the building remained standing and even saw seances inside room 401 where Houdini died. It was finally demolished in 1979 to make way for a new hospital on the site. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find the exact day or even the month of its demolition. Can anyone help?
Speaking of Grace and room 401, in 2007 a series aired on MTV called Room 401. While the series didn't have anything to do with Houdini specifically, the title is a reference to the room in which he died. How did I not know about this until now?
You can see photos of the real room 401 and read a personal recollection of Grace Hospital by Bob Franke, Jr. at the Houdini Museum of Scranton's website HERE.
Is Bob Franke, Jr still alive? magicus@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteWould love to know that myself. Maybe we could get larger photos.
DeleteAmazing to think the actual bed on which Houdini died was still in use 50 years later in ‘76. And neither private collectors nor the Houdini museum sought to acquire? Terrific article John; I enjoy your research and insights as they help to show the man behind the legend.
ReplyDeleteIt seems impossible that it would be the same mattress, right? But likely the same frame. It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like it could be built in.
DeleteRoom 401...it's the top floor of the building.
ReplyDeleteNicely observed, Leo. I never thought about this.
DeleteNeither did I, then I saw the photo you posted of the front of the hospital. It's only four floors.
DeleteLove this image, wow! My friend Wayne Alan, visited the hospital room before it was demolished. He took the air vent cover from the room and has it in his collection. I have a photo on my site. BTW, notice the stairs in the photo, just shows the 'time period' this was taken. Now there would be a ramp, or both stairs and a ramp. I have a feeling this building was torn down before that law was put into effect.
ReplyDeleteI
ReplyDeleteGreetings from across the pond I am getting a error message for museum any help thanks
The Houdini Museum has been having issues with their website. Looks like the link isn't working anymore. Unfortunately, nothing we can do on our end.
Delete