Santa
Clara County
Biographies
LEWIS
J. BELKNAP, M. D.
The Garden City Sanitarium, which
was established in 1897 by Dr. Belknap, is already acknowledged as one of the
finest and most successful institutions of its kind on the coast, and gives
promise through the splendid management which has characterized it thus far of
assuming a yet more important position among the health resorts of the west.
The founder of this beautiful resort was born in Oswego, N. Y., in 1854, a son
of Julius K. Belknap, and was reared to young manhood in the eastern section of
the country. He received his preliminary education in the common schools of the
state, after which he entered Ann Arbor, Mich., from which institution he was
graduated with honors in the class of 1888. During his study in college he
decided to fit himself for a special work, and accordingly went to New York
City immediately after his graduation and took a course in the Polyclinic and
Bellevue Hospitals. Well-equipped for the practice of his profession he then
located in Battle Creek, Mich., and found congenial and profitable employment
in the sanitarium of that name, the largest and most successful institution of
its kind in the world. He met with most gratifying success in his work, to the
prosecution of which he brought a splendid knowledge which, however, was only
the foundation for that which he continually sought. A natural student, he
neglected no opportunity to acquire both knowledge and experience, giving the
greater part of his spare time to study and thus keeping abreast with the most
scientific thought and movements of the time.
After a few years’ practice of his
profession in the middle west, Dr. Belknap decided to locate in California, and
accordingly came west in 1897. Selecting as the most desirable location the
city of San Jose he purchased the La Grand estate of five and
sixty-one-hundredth acres, situated on East Santa Clara street and on the east
bank of the beautiful mountain stream which flows on the east side of the city.
This is one of the highest elevations in San Jose and commands a charming view
of the surroundings. Along the banks of the creek the doctor has laid out
terraces, fruits, flowers and vegetables; the grounds have been beautified by
walks and drives beneath an abundance of shade trees, palms, and tropical plants,
while the buildings have been remodeled and some entirely rebuilt, the original
house being enlarged to thirty-five rooms. He then built a three-room cottage
and in 1904 erected a sixteen-room cottage. This modern sanitarium is based
upon physiological therapeutics, where quiet and rest may be obtained together.
It is equipped with the finest electrical appliances made, and provided with
X-Ray, galvanic, static, faradic and sinuosoidal magnets. All modern methods of treatment are in
use here, hydriatic treatments of every form;
electric light baths, dry hot air, and oscillatory and vibratory treatment. All
rooms are large, well-lighted and heated. The climate in this location is
unsurpassed for all classes of invalids, the care and attention as nearly
perfect as it is possible to attain, and everything is done for the comfort and
happiness of the guests. The outlook from the sanitarium is a very beautiful
one, in the distance the mountains standing out like clear-cut cameos, the
highest, Mt. Hamilton, upon which can be seen the famous Lick Observatory,
while a more refreshing spot could not be found than the broad verandas with
the breeze blowing from the bay seven miles away, preventing extreme heat,
while the winters are always mild and the sun shines well nigh perpetually. An
ideal spot for one weary either in body or mind, and the doctor, with his able
assistant, Dr. Rue O. Ross, contributes no little to the well-being of all who
come within the gates of this invalid’s home. During the seven years in which
the doctor has been located in this city he has won many friends who look
forward to a brilliant future in view of all that he has accomplished in the
past.
In Michigan Dr. Belknap was united in
marriage with Nina Tyler, a native of that state, and to them were born the
following children: Julius K. and Forest B., both of whom are students in San
Jose.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 314. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2014 Cecelia M. Setty.