Demolition of former hospital in the Sault uncovers time capsule from 1963

A 1963 time capsule was unearthed during the demolition of the old Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., hospital. Contents included a newspaper, hospital pamphlets, meeting minutes & medals.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Mayor Matthew Shoemaker says demolition crews taking down the former general hospital found a decades-old time capsule.

The capsule had been buried April 29, 1963, during construction of the hospital.

“We opened a time capsule this morning that was discovered during the demolition of the former general hospital,” Shoemaker said in a social media post July 7.

“Inside were that day’s newspaper, a pamphlet about the General and Plummer hospitals, minutes of the meeting at which construction was approved and St. Benedict Jubilee Medals.”

City council in Sault Ste. Marie decided to buy the former general hospital site in 2024 with an eye on demolishing the property and selling it to a buyer for redevelopment.

Vacant and falling into disrepair, the site has sat empty for the last 15 years, with the most notable changes being fencing to keep out squatters.

The mayor said the contents of the capsule will be donated to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum “where they’ll be preserved for future generations.”

“A big thank you to the … team for spotting the time capsule during demolition and ensuring it made its way to us.”