Decorah Smith Memorial Hospital
NRHP 2023
The Decorah Hospital is an early example of a rural hospital constructed after the 1910 Iowa legislation encouraging and facilitating the construction of hospitals in rural communities. It also embodies the evolution of popular American twentieth century architectural styles, including the original 1914 Classical Revival central section designed by Illinois/Indiana architect E. Hill Turnock; the 1930, 1947, and 1955 Art Deco sections designed by local architect Charles Altfillisch; and the 1961 Midcentury Modern addition designed by Altfillisch and his firm. The 1914, 1930, 1947, and 1955 sections were all constructed by Decorah contractor A. R. Coffeen.