A pioneering spirit, a compassionate caregiver, and the founder of Prineville’s first hospital, Sarah Stevens dedicated her life to serving the community.
By Steve Lent, Crook County Historian
In 1853, Sarah Thompson Foley Stevens arrived in the Oregon Territory after a grueling journey by ox team, unaware that she would one day become a pillar of Prineville’s medical history. Born in Georgia on September 3, 1835, Sarah moved with her family to Missouri at the age of three. When she was 18, they made the arduous trek westward, eventually settling near Harrisburg, Oregon.
Sarah married Euphrates Foley in February 1856 and together they built a life in the Oregon frontier. However, their time together was cut short when Euphrates passed away around 1863, leaving Sarah to raise their children alone. In 1865, she married Harrison Anderson Stevens, and the couple had seven children. After Harrison’s death in 1876, Sarah once again found herself widowed, prompting her to move with her children to the Hay Creek area of Crook County. In 1880, she relocated to Prineville, where she would leave an enduring mark on the community.
In 1897, Sarah established Prineville’s first hospital, Stevens Hospital, in her home at 100 Deer Street. At a time when professional medical care was scarce, her home-turned-hospital became a lifeline for the sick and injured. She not only provided care as a midwife but also ensured her patients were well-fed, growing and preserving food to sustain those in her care. Her dedication to community health made the hospital an essential part of Prineville’s early medical landscape.
As the years passed, the hospital transitioned into a convalescent home, with Sarah’s daughter-in-law, Sarah “Fannie” Stevens, eventually taking over its management. Under Fannie’s leadership, Stevens Hospital continued to serve the community until her passing in 1948.
Sarah was well known in Prineville, both for her medical contributions and her active involvement in the town’s social circles. She passed away on May 4, 1916, and was originally laid to rest in Juniper Haven Cemetery before being moved to join her husband in Gillespie Cemetery.
Her legacy as a pioneer and healthcare provider endures, a testament to the resilience and compassion of Prineville’s early settlers. Sarah Thompson Foley Stevens didn’t just witness the town’s growth—she helped shape it, ensuring that care and comfort were available to those in need.