History of Mount Saint Francis

Our History

The site of Mount Saint Francis has a heritage as a place of health care and “community”, providing services for residents, workers and neighbors. Starting out as a ranch in the 1890’s, the Modern Woodmen of America, the largest fraternal beneficiary society in America, purchased the land in 1907 for the purpose of building a self-contained sanatorium for tuberculosis treatment of their members.

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Site of Woodmen Sanatorium, 1957 Photographer: Stewarts Commercial Photographers Aerial view of grounds of Modern Woodmen of America Sanatorium, now Mt. St. Francis. Pikes Peak Library District. All rights reserved.
Sanitorium
Receiving Hospital - Modern Woodmen of America<br /> View of large stone building with Gardiner tents in front and cliffs behind, identified on back as Receiving Hospital at Modern Woodmen of America Sanatorium. Courtesy of Gordon Sweet estate Pikes Peak Library District. All rights reserved.” width=”186″ height=”113″></a></div> <div id=Visiting at Modern Woodmen of America Sanatorium Car parked at curb alongside rows of Gardiner tents at Modern Woodmen of America Sanatorium. Man, woman and small child stand at curb, talking to other people in car. Photo identified on back as Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Gragg and Margaret (Mrs. Stanley Reid). Pikes Peak Library District. All rights reserved.
Modern Woodmen of America Kitchen Five women wearing aprons work in large kitchen with prepared trays in foreground and on cabinets at right. Sign suspended from ceiling reads Hospital Diet Kitchen. Courtesy of Gordon Sweet estate Pikes Peak Library District. All rights reserved.
Interior of Amusement Hall in Memorial Building at Modern Woodmen of America Sanatorium, showing chandeliers hanging from raftered ceiling, auditorium seating and upright piano at front of hall. Photographer: Standley, Harry L.Courtesy of Gordon Sweet estate. Pikes Peak Library District. All rights reserved.

The sanatorium was in every sense a community dedicated to health and spiritual values for the nearly 200 patients. The Modern Woodmen of America operated the facility successfully for forty years until 1947. The property was sold to a private individual who donated it to the Sisters of Saint Francis and named the site, Mount Saint Francis. Mount Saint Francis is primarily the home of the Sisters of Saint Francis and the administrative headquarters for their Saint Joseph Province. They have established the following ministries or services on the campus: Saint Francis of Assisi Parish; and Franciscan Retreat Center. Mount Saint Francis is a place where people are welcome to come and experience the peace and serenity of God’s beautiful creation.

Photos and video courtesy of and Pikes Peak Library District.