Allen Hospital is a 228-bed, not-for-profit community hospital serving the Cedar Valley. Allen is an affiliate hospital of Iowa Health System, which cares for one of every three patients in Iowa.
Henry and Mary Allen settled in Waterloo in the early 1860s. They prospered here for 40 years as business people and breeders of fine horses. They moved to California in 1900, but never forgot friends and neighbors back home.
After Mary died in 1913, Henry resolved to do something lasting in her memory. Henry promised the citizens of Waterloo 80 acres of prime land and $200,000 to found a non-sectarian hospital open to all, regardless of circumstance. Allen Hospital was dedicated on Mary’s birthday in November 1924 and opened in February 1925. Five generations of Cedar Valley families have been beneficiaries of his gift ever since.
Today, Allen Hospital is the busiest hospital in the Cedar Valley. We care for more inpatients, outpatients, emergency patients and cardiac patients than any other hospital in our 10-county service area. United Medical Park and Prairie Medical Park offer ambulatory care in facilities that are built for your comfort and convenience. We strive to fulfill Henry Allen’s legacy, and we think he would be pleased to see that his promise remains well-kept.
History Of Allen Memorial Hospital
Allen Hospital was a gift from Henry B. Allen. Henry and his wife Mary were early Cedar Valley settlers who came west to Iowa in 1862. Henry was a lawyer and first president of the National Bank. He and Mary also raised fine horses for sale across the country.
Henry and Mary retired to California around 1900, but they never forgot their friends and neighbors in Iowa. After Mary died in 1913, Henry donated 80 acres of land and $200,000 to build a hospital in Mary’s name. He promised the community a non-sectarian hospital that would be open to all. Henry didn’t live to see his dream fulfilled, but his friends and neighbors did. Allen Memorial Hospital was dedicated on Mary’s birthday in 1924 and opened for patients in February 1925. Allen School of Nursing, the predecessor of Allen College, opened in 1926.
Six generations of patients and providers have been Henry’s beneficiaries. The original building still stands, surrounded by many additions. The latest addition, the Pauline Barrett Pavilion, opened in 2009. It too was made possible by a namesake benefactor, Waterloo philanthropist Pauline Barrett.
Allen Hospital serves many communities. Half of Allen’s patients today come from the towns and neighborhoods of Black Hawk County. The other half come from nine surrounding counties. Everyone comes here looking for the comfort, care and compassion Henry Allen promised his friends and neighbors 85 years ago. We strive to make sure his promise is well-kept today.
