James Ross generously donated the funds to build and fully equip the first Hospital for Victoria County, which officially opened its doors on November 20, 1902.

James Ross was born in Cromarty, Scotland in 1848, to parents Captain John and Mary Ross. In 1868, Ross came to North America, and held a number of influential positions in the construction of a number of North American railways. Ross settled in the United States and held the positions of Resident Engineer and Chief Engineer for the U.S.A. railways until 1873. When Ross came to Canada, he settled in Lindsay, Ontario with his wife, Annie and their son, John K.L. Ross. James Ross attained the titles of Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Victoria Railway, which later became known as the Haliburton branch of the Canadian National Railway.

In the late 1800s, Ross' parents also moved to Canada and settled in Lindsay.

The thriving railway enterprise led to many other opportunities for Ross, who was already well-respected within the industry. Ross built the Credit Valley Railway, and later became the General Manager. His career began to build and his work eventually drew him away from Lindsay, however, family ties were strong for Ross and he would later return to contribute to his community.

Ross later became the consulting engineer of the Ontario and Quebec railways and in 1883, directed the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Ontario and west of Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1885, Ross completed the Canadian Pacific line over the Rocky Mountains, Selkirks and Gold Range. He can be seen in the famous photograph of "The Last Spike."

Aside from his business success, Ross' interests included yachting and collecting masterpieces. As such, he was the Commander of the St. Lawrence Yacht Club and later, helped to create the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

In the early 1900s, James Ross' attention was turned to his former hometown of Lindsay. At this time, legend has it that Judge G.H. Hopkins, who had a law practice in the small town, came upon a man lying ill on the sidewalk of William Street South one evening. Hopkins arranged for a room for the sick man in Mauder House Hotel and saw that the man received proper medical attention. Eventually, the news got around to Mrs. Grace, Ross' sister, who shared the story with her brother.

James Ross, in consultation with the town council, decided that he would fund the entire cost of establishing a community hospital, in memory of his parents. His condition: that the County maintain the facility, as it would not only be a memorial to his parents, but also a gift to the community he had once called home.

On November 20, 1902, Ross Memorial Hospital officially opened. It was one of the finest and best-equipped hospitals in Canada. Leading medical personalities and hospital experts attended the opening ceremony. Some travelled great distances by train, on the tracks that were built by the very man who donated the $80,000 hospital that they were en route to celebrate. The day was deemed "a red letter day in the history of the County of Victoria."

Even upon his death in 1913, Ross remembered Ross Memorial in his will, leaving a legacy of $25,000 to the Hospital.

On November 20, 2002, Ross Memorial will be celebrating its centennial anniversary in style. At 3:30 p.m., on the Jane Street Parking Lot of the Hospital, there will be a re-enactment of the original opening ceremony that took place on the same day in 1902. At 4:00 p.m., there will be speeches, presentations, historical displays and refreshments at Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute, which is where the official speeches and presentations took place in 1902.

On November 20, 2002, our cast will include:
James Ross - Braden Campbell, local actor and director
Annie Ross - Heather Newman, Ross Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Member
John Austin - Eric Dean, Executive Director, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation
J.D. Flavelle - John Bennett, Chair, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation Board

We look forward to the community joining us in celebrating this historic event.

In the meantime, please join us tomorrow (November 14th) at 11:45 a.m. to meet James and Annie Ross.