Morty Comix # 2631

Morty Comix # 2631 was left in a strange sort of place. I discovered the booth seats in this excellent Olympia, Washington area restaurant had a slit that opened into a hollow space between booths. This particular restaurant looks out to Budd Inlet and I was afforded a view of the old St. Pete's Hospital on Oly's Westside where my brother was born.

Postcard - Olympia, Washington

"St. Peter Hospital, 413 North Lilly Road, Olympia, Washington, Phone 491-9480. The modern 12-story hospital, operated by the Sisters of Providence, was completed in January, 1971. The first S.P.H. was built in 1887 where the Totem Pole now stands on the Capitol Campus. The second one opened in July, 1924, at 420 South Sherman. St. Peter Hospital, the only hospital in Thurston County, has served the people well for over 85 years."

The card has a 1979 postmark. My daughter and nephew were born here. A parent and grandparent died here. I spent a week as a guest while recovering from surgery almost 20 years ago. Lots of  other emotionally charged memories associated with this building.

Morty Comix # 2507 was hidden there.

The "totem pole" was actually a story pole by William Shelton and had to be taken down in 2010.

St. Pete's ceased being the sole hospital for Thurston County by the 1980s.

Morty Comix # 2507

Morty Comix # 2507 was tucked into a support brace under a counter for a telephone nook in St. Peter's Hospital, Olympia, Washington. Placing and documenting this baby took some doing, let me tell you.

Phone photo 1562

Budd Inlet, 4th Ave. Bridge, and on the horizon the old St. Pete's Hospital where my brother was born

Back then in the late 1950s, St. Pete's would not allow child visitors in the hospital. So I remember my uncle and aunt taking shifts watching me in their 1958 Chevy parked in the parking lot while I drew cartoons with my finger on the late November rear car window condensation as my sibling entered the world.