Carondelet Legacy Stories
Celebrating 145 Years
Carondelet has a long and rich history that spans decades. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the congregation was originally established in France. The Sisters came to the United States in 1836 to serve the diocese in Carondelet, Missouri.
In 1870, seven Sisters of St. Joseph traveled from San Diego to Tucson to open a school. In 1880, the Sisters opened St. Mary’s Hospital, Arizona’s first hospital. In 1961, they opened St. Joseph’s Hospital to provide services for Tucson’s growing east side. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet began managing Holy Cross in 1981 and assumed ownership in 1987.
Tucson Time Machine
As we continue our journey to the past, the Arizona Daily Star published a newsletter called "Tucson Time Machine," showcasing a few photos of St. Joseph’s Hospital from back in the 60s! This is an incredible historical look back at what St. Joseph's Hospital looked like at its founding.
"On the evening of May 1, the Most Rev. Francis J. Green, D.D., bishop of Tucson, will dedicate the new St. Joseph's Hospital to the service of the community," according to a Tucson Citizen article from April 1961. This photo from April 1961 shows the hospital before its grand opening.
Look at that empty parking lot — a rare sight at the hospital today!” It is fascinating to see the changes our city, technology, and hospitals have made over these past six decades! We invite all associates to share their stories and photos from their time with our health organization. Your memories are our legacy; together, we can paint a vivid picture of our storied past for future generations. Please submit your historical tidbits, photos, and anecdotes to our newsletter team.