>> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

>> THERE IT IS, BACKLIT BY THE MORNING SUN, RISING MAJESTICALLY INTO THE BLUE SKY.

IT'S BEEN MAKING AN ARCHITECTURAL STATEMENT HERE IN LOS ANGELES FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS THAT LITERALLY NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION.

JUST BY LOOKING AT THE OUTSIDE OF THIS BUILDING, WE ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS: COUNTY USC MEDICAL CENTER.

COUNTY HOSPITAL.

AND I'VE GOT A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE GONNA GIVE US THE TOUR OF COUNTY USC TODAY.

WE'RE STARTING OFF WITH A BIT OF HISTORY THAT I DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE YOU TOLD US JUST A MINUTE AGO, MIKE.

COUNTY USC HAS HAD SEVERAL LOCATIONS SINCE IT STARTED BACK IN... >> 1858, HUELL.

>> OK, NOW, WHERE WAS IT IN 1858?

IT WASN'T HERE.

>> NO, IT WASN'T.

THE COUNTY FIRST BEGAN OPERATING A HOSPITAL IN 1858.

ACTUALLY, THE COUNTY RENTED A HOME FROM A PRIVATE FAMILY DOWN AT PRESENT DAY ALVERA STREET IN THE HISTORIC CORE OF THE CITY.

>> SO, IT WAS DOWNTOWN?

>> CORRECT.

>> THEN, IT MOVED WHERE?

>> WELL, IT--FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER THAT, THEY RENTED VARIOUS OTHER SPACES IN THAT AREA, AND THEN, IN 1878, THE COUNTY BUILT ITS FIRST HOSPITAL RIGHT DOWN HERE ON MISSION BOULEVARD, WHICH, IN ITSELF, IS A HISTORIC STREET.

IT WAS KNOWN AS THE AVENUE OF THE KINGS.

THIS WAS THE ROAD THAT LINKED THE MISSIONS ACROSS CALIFORNIA FROM SAN DIEGO TO MONTEREY.

>> SO IT HAD A GOOD LOCATION.

NOW, IS ANYTHING LEFT OF THAT SECOND HOSPITAL?

>> THERE ARE JUST A FEW STRUCTURES THAT REMAIN.

THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL OLD VICTORIAN BUILDING THERE THAT WAS THE OLD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THAT IS NOW USED BY THE CORONER'S OFFICE, AND IT WAS REALLY AFTER WORLD WAR I AND YEARS OF PROSPERITY HERE IN LOS ANGELES THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE STARTED POURING INTO THE CITY, AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AT THE TIME RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL TO MEET THAT NEED.

>> THEY NEEDED TO EXPAND.

THEY NEEDED TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

AND, BOY, MAKE A STATEMENT THEY DID, DIDN'T THEY?

>> THEY SURE DID.

>> WHAT WAS THE CONCEPT BEHIND BUILDING THIS GRAND ART DECO BUILDING?

>> WELL, I MEAN, IT'S A MAGNIFICENT STRUCTURE, AS YOU KNOW.

ANGELINOS, FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN THE CITY, IT'S A VERY FAMILIAR STRUCTURE.

WE PASS IT EVERY DAY ON THE 5 FREEWAY.

WE SEE IT FROM DOWNTOWN.

BUT I THINK, EVEN MORE THAN THAT, IT REALLY IS A SYMBOL OF THE HEALTH AND VITALITY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY WHEN YOU THINK OF THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT CARE HERE ACROSS THE-- >> WELL, NOT THOUSANDS.

TENS OF THOUSANDS.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

MAYBE EVEN MILLIONS SINCE IT OPENED IN 1933, 1934.

>> IT OPENED IN DECEMBER OF 1933, AND IT HAS SERVED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE HERE, PERCHED UP HERE ON THIS HILL, IT'S ALMOST SERVED AS A BEACON TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT CARE RIGHT INSIDE THESE DOORS.

>> WELL, I GOTTA BE HONEST WITH YOU.

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING HERE.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO COUNTY USC BEFORE.

NEITHER AS A PATIENT OR JUST AS A TOURIST, LIKE WE'RE GONNA BE TODAY.

SO THIS IS GONNA BE A REAL ADVENTURE FOR ALL OF US.

WE'VE GOT OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS HERE THAT YOU'RE GONNA MEET AS WE GO ALONG.

THIS GUY RIGHT HERE--INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> BILL WALTON.

>> NOW, YOU KNOW WHY WE'RE INTRODUCING YOU FIRST.

>> I'M PROBABLY THE KEY MAN.

[BOTH LAUGHING] >> PULL THOSE KEYS OUT.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE KEYS.

>> I GOT A COUPLE OF KEYS.

>> LOOK AT THESE.

HE'S GOT THE KEYS TO EVERY DOOR IN THIS FACILITY, DON'T YOU?

>> I DO.

>> HOW DO YOU KEEP 'EM STRAIGHT?

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH KEY OPENS UP WHICH DOOR?

>> AFTER A WHILE, YOU GET TO LEARN WHICH KEY IS WHAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOUR--YOUR TECHNICAL TITLE IS?

>> A HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR 2.

>> OK, BUT YOU'RE THE KEEPER--REALLY KNOWN AS THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS.

>> KEEPER OF THE KEYS.

>> OK, HERE WE GO.

THIS IS GONNA BE VERY EXCITING.

WE'RE GONNA START OUR TOUR AND GO INSIDE THIS MAGNIFICENT BUILDING THAT'S BEEN A BEACON, BEEN A LANDMARK HERE IN LOS ANGELES SINCE IT OPENED IN THE EARLY 1930s.

OK, WE'RE STARTING THE OFFICIAL TOUR, AND WE HAVEN'T GONE BUT JUST ABOUT 10 FEET FROM WHERE WE STARTED.

OUR TOUR GUIDES HERE-- INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> I'M MIKE ROYBAL.

I'M A MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE EDWARD ROYBAL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTER.

>> OK. >> AND I'M TOM BERNE.

I'M ONE OF THE SURGEONS IN THE FACULTY AT USC THAT WORKS HERE.

>> OK, SO YOU BOTH WORKED HERE AT COUNTY USC FOR YEARS AND YEARS, SINCE... >> YES, WELL, I STARTED AS A MEDICAL STUDENT IN 1956... >> SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE AS AN INTERN, A RESIDENT, AND THEN ATTENDING SURGEON.

>> OK, NOW, THE REASON WE'RE TALKING WITH YOU WHERE WE'RE TALKING WITH YOU IS BECAUSE WE WERE GETTING READY TO WALK IN THE DOOR, AND BOTH OF YOU SAID, "NO, STOP!

LOOK UP HERE AT WHAT'S OVER THE FRONT DOORS!"

WHAT IS OVER THE FRONT DOOR?

>> WELL, OVER THE FRONT DOORS, IN THE CENTER, WE HAVE THE ANGEL OF MERCY.

ON ONE SIDE, A GENTLEMAN WHO IS SICK AND INFIRM, AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, A WOMAN WITH CHILD, KIND OF--IT'S A SYMBOL WHAT THE MISSION OF THE HOSPITAL IS, TO TAKE CARE OF THE SICK AND THE INFIRM.

ON EITHER SIDE OF THOSE FIGURES, WE HAVE, KIND OF THROUGHOUT HISTORY THE GREATS OF MEDICINE: PASTEUR, VESALIUS, HARVEY, HIPPOCRATES.

ON THIS SIDE, WE HAVE, UH, GALEN AND JOHN HUNTER.

SO ALL THE GENTLEMEN AND PEOPLE IN HISTORY WHO HAVE BEEN VERY IMPORTANT IN DISCOVERIES THROUGHOUT MEDICINE.

>> THESE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS, THE KIND OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT THEY HAD BACK IN THE THIRTIES WHEN THEY WERE BUILDING A BUILDING LIKE THIS.

>> YES, AND I THINK IT SHOWS A REVERENCE TO--TO OUR PAST, OUR--OUR--THE PEOPLE WHO WE LEARNED FROM AND SETS THE STAGE FOR THIS AS A LEARNING INSTITUTION ALSO.

AND, OF COURSE, THE ANGEL OF MERCY, HE POINTED OUT, IS A CALL FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED OUR HELP TO COME HERE.

>> WOW.

SEE, I WOULD HAVE WALKED RIGHT IN, AS MUCH AS I LOVE ARCHITECTURE, AND PASSED BY THIS.

I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS HAVE UNDERSTOOD WHEN THEY WERE WALKING IN HERE THAT THEY WERE WALKING RIGHT UNDER THE ANGEL OF MERCY.

>> UH, VERY FEW, I WOULD IMAGINE, JUST BECAUSE, UH, PEOPLE ALONG THEIR BUSY ROUTE TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GO NEVER REALLY LOOKED UP, NEVER REALLY RECOGNIZED-- >> BUT THE ARCHITECTS AND THE DOCTORS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF THIS, WHEN IT WAS BEING BUILT, THEY RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF PUTTING THIS AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> WELL, IT BEGAN AS A TEACHING INSTITUTION, AND THESE MEN HAVE BEEN THE GREATS IN THE TEACHING OF MEDICINE AND DISCOVERY, SO THAT'S PART OF THE MISSION, IN ADDITION.

IT'S A COMPLIMENT TO THE ANGEL OF MERCY.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S COME ON.

WE GOT OUR WHOLE ENTOURAGE HERE.

THE GUY WITH THE--IT'S NOT A KEY.

THERE'S A SWIPE CARD TO GET IN THE FRONT DOOR.

HERE WE GO.

WE'RE INSIDE THE HOSPITAL, AND THERE'S ALREADY AN ECHO IN HERE.

HELLO?

[ECHOES] BOY, WHAT A ROOM THIS IS.

AND THIS IS JUST KIND OF THE OUTER ENTRANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.

>> WELL, GOING ALONG WITH THE STYLE OF THE THIRTIES AND THE ART DECO AND--YOU KNOW, THIS MURAL WAS PAINTED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MEDICINE AND KIND OF A TRIBUTE TO MEDICAL HISTORY, AS WELL-- >> POINT OUT SOMETHING TO ME UP HERE.

>> UH, SO, IN THE CENTER, WE HAVE ASCLEPIUS, WHO'S THE GREEK GOD OF MEDICINE, AND HIS 2 SONS ARE ON EITHER SIDE OF HIM IN THE OTHER 2 DOMES.

>> WOW.

AND THIS IS--THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL?

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TOUCHED UP?

I MEAN, THEY'RE SO BRIGHT AND VIBRANT IN THEIR COLOR.

>> THEY ARE THE ORIGINALS.

THERE'S SOME PAINT THAT'S MISSING OFF THE TOP, BUT THESE ARE THE ORIGINALS.

>> AND THIS.

LOOK AT THIS ENTRANCE HERE.

THIS IS ORIGINAL.

THIS IS VERY DECO.

>> YEAH, ART DECO WITH THE, UH, WOMAN ON THE CENTER AT THE TOP AND, UH, IRON WORK.

>> ISN'T IT AMAZING THAT THIS HAS SURVIVED ALL OF THESE YEARS AND WASN'T MODERNIZED IN THE SEVENTIES OR EIGHTIES AND KIND OF, YOU KNOW, BROUGHT UP TO WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS BRINGING IT UP TO SPEED?

>> WELL, I THINK PART OF IT IS JUST THE CRAFTSMANSHIP, YOU KNOW?

IT WOULD BE--TAKE A LOT OF WORK JUST TO GET THIS TAKEN OUT, FIRST OF ALL.

AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL, SO I THINK IT, YOU KNOW, FOLKS WERE VERY MUCH IMPRESSED WITH IT AND WANTED TO KEEP IT AROUND.

>> AND THEN, DR. BERNE, THERE'S SOMETHING UP OVER THE FRONT DOOR THAT--THAT REALLY TIES IN DIRECTLY TO WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS HOSPITAL WAS ALWAYS STATED.

>> YES, THIS STATEMENT COVERS, UM, WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

AND IT STARTS OUT BY SAYING, "ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO PROVIDE HOSPITAL CARE FOR THE ACUTELY ILL AND SUFFERING TO WHOM THE DOCTORS OF THE ATTENDING STAFF GIVE THEIR SERVICES WITHOUT CHARGE IN ORDER THAT NO CITIZEN OF THE COUNTY SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF HEALTH OR LIFE FOR THE LACK OF SUCH CARE AND SERVICES."

>> IS THIS A HOSPITAL FOR THE POOR?

FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T HAVE--COULDN'T GO TO A REGULAR PRIVATE HOSPITAL?

>> YES, EXCEPT IN CERTAIN AREAS LIKE TRAUMA, WHERE WE TAKE ANYBODY ON A REGIONAL BASIS, THIS IS BASICALLY A HOSPITAL FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO GO TO OTHER HOSPITALS.

>> WOW, AND I LOVE THE WAY IT'S ETCHED INTO THE STONE.

IT CAN'T CHANGE WITH THE TIMES.

IT CAN'T BE ERASED OR, UH, EDITED OR CHANGED IN ANY WAY.

THIS IS IT.

THIS IS WHAT IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

>> AND I THINK IT'S JUST A--IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE COMMITMENT THAT LOS ANGELES COUNTY HAS HAD TO TAKING CARE OF ITS CITIZENS, THE HEALTH CARE, AND COMMITMENT TO THE HEALTH CARE OF ITS CITIZENS.

>> WELL, WE'VE SEEN A LOT AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN IN, BASICALLY, THE FRONT DOOR YET.

LET'S GO INTO THE REAL LOBBY RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE LOST SOME OF OUR GROUP, BUT I THINK THEY'RE PROBABLY IN HERE WAITING FOR US.

OK, NOW WE'VE COME INTO THE MAIN LOBBY.

A BEAUTIFUL BUT DARKENED MAIN LOBBY BECAUSE THE ELECTRICITY IS OFF IN PARTS OF THE BUILDING.

THE FIRST THING I NOTICE ARE THE--ARE THESE ORIGINAL TERRA COTTA FLOORS HERE?

THEY'RE ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR.

>> YEAH, THE FLOORING IS ALL ORIGINAL.

>> SO THIS IS--EVERYTHING WE'VE SEEN SO FAR HAS BASICALLY BEEN UNTOUCHED OVER THE YEARS.

>> OVER THE YEARS, EXCEPT FOR SOME MODIFICATIONS JUST TO ADJUST FOR MINOR CHANGES IN CARE AND THE CARE WE DELIVER.

THERE'S BLACK COLUMNS OF MARBLE.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING AND-- >> SO WAIT A MINUTE.

THESE ARE BLACK MARBLE COLUMNS.

AND HERE IS THIS GREAT, HUGE BLOWN-UP PHOTOGRAPH OF USC BEING CONSTRUCTED, OF THIS HOSPITAL BEING CONSTRUCTED, BUT THERE'S A STORY BEHIND THIS, AS WELL.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION OF THIS HOSPITAL.

>> NO, IF YOU RECALL, THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE IN LONG BEACH IN THE THIRTIES, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THIS WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING CONSTRUCTED.

MANY BUILDINGS WERE DESTROYED AT THE TIME, AND BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS BUILDING, THEY DECIDED TO TAKE EVERYTHING DOWN THAT THEY HAD BUILT SO FAR AND PUT IN A STEEL INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THEY STARTED OVER AGAIN.

>> THEY STARTED OVER AGAIN TO MAKE IT ONE OF THE SAFEST BUILDINGS IN L.A., AND IT'S WITHSTOOD MANY EARTHQUAKES.

>> THAT'S WHY IT'S SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S SURVIVED ALL THESE YEARS.

IT'S FULL OF STEEL!

>> FULL OF STEEL, AND IT'S BUILT ON BEDROCK.

SO THEY CALL THIS--THEY ALSO CALL THIS PLACE "THE ROCK."

>> OK. >> BECAUSE IT'S SO STURDY.

>> I THOUGHT THE ROCK WAS ALCATRAZ.

>> WELL, IT'S THIS PLACE, TOO.

>> HA!

AND HERE IT IS RIGHT HERE--GENERAL HOSPITAL.

AND, MIKE, DIDN'T YOU SAY IT'S HAD A NUMBER OF NAMES?

THE ROCK, GENERAL HOSPITAL... >> OLD GENERAL, THE MOTHER ON THE HILL.

THERE ARE LOTS OF NAMES THAT PEOPLE THROUGH THE YEARS HAVE KNOWN THIS HOSPITAL BY, HUELL.

>> WHEN DID IT START BECOMING KNOWN AS USC COUNTY HOSPITAL?

>> WELL, IT'S--IT'S BEEN USC FOR MANY YEARS.

WHAT WAS--THE DATE WAS 18... >> WE'VE HAD AN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SINCE 1884.

>> SO FROM THE VERY EARLIEST DAYS IT'S BEEN CONNECTED WITH USC.

>> ABSOLUTELY, ALTHOUGH THE HOSPITAL STARTED TO BE CALLED LAC-USC MEDICAL CENTER IN THE 1960s.

>> BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS IT FROM TELEVISION AS "GENERAL HOSPITAL" BECAUSE OF WHAT?

>> WELL, BECAUSE IN THE OPENING SCENE, A CERTAIN LOGO OF THAT SHOW IS A PICTURE OF THIS HOSPITAL.

>> THE SOAP OPERA.

>> YES, THE SOAP OPERA.

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING] >> "GENERAL HOSPITAL" IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROLAIDS, IN HANDY ROLL AND NEW FAMILY-SIZED BOTTLES.

BY CLAIROL, CREATORS OF THE EXCITING, NATURAL LOOK IN BEAUTY.

AND BY THE NEW PLAYTEX GIRDLE MADE WITH LYCRA.

>> HA!

WELL, THERE IT IS, GENERAL HOSPITAL VISITOR RECEPTION AREA, AND LET'S ALL WALK RIGHT OVER HERE BECAUSE HERE IS THE HOSPITAL AS IT APPEARED IN ITS HEYDAY.

I GUESS THIS WAS ONE OF THE EARLY PICTURES, AND BOY, IT REALLY MADE A STATEMENT.

>> IT DID, AND IF YOU LOOK UP THERE, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE TOP FLOORS ARE BRIGHT AND SHINING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

THOSE ARE THE SURGICAL AREAS.

THEY WOULD SAY IT WAS A BEACON TO THE SICK TO COME TO GENERAL HOSPITAL, AND SO THEY COULD FIND THEIR WAY.

>> SEE?

ISN'T THAT INTERESTING?

ALL OF THESE SUBTLE AND NOT SO SUBTLE THINGS ABOUT THE HOSPITAL, JUST THE WAY IT WAS LIT, THE WAY IT WAS SEEN FROM THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

ALL OF THIS WAS PART OF A PLAN, WASN'T IT?

>> THAT PLAN, BASICALLY, TO PROVIDE CARE FOR AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

WHEN THE POPULATION DOUBLED IN 10 YEARS FROM THE 1920s TO 1930s, THEY NEEDED SOME PLACE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THESE PEOPLE, AND THIS WAS THE PLACE.

>> OK, WE HAVE LEFT THE MAIN FRONT LOBBY AND WE'VE COME UP TO THE 15th FLOOR BECAUSE DR. BERNE WANTED TO SHOW US THIS AMAZING ROOM.

LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK WHERE WE ARE.

WHERE ARE WE, DR. BERNE?

>> UH, WE'RE NOW ON THE 15th FLOOR OF THE HOSPITAL, AND WE'RE IN THE SURGICAL AMPHITHEATER.

>> THE AMPHITHEATER.

HOW DID THAT WORK?

>> WELL, BACK IN THE TIME WHEN THIS BUILDING WAS BUILT, WE DIDN'T HAVE TELEVISION OR ANY WAY FOR PEOPLE TO SEE OPERATIONS DONE, SO STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS AND OTHER DOCTORS WHO WERE INTERESTED WOULD COME HERE AND SIT IN THESE CHAIRS, AND THE SURGEON WOULD DO THE OPERATION RIGHT HERE-- >> AND THEY WOULD JUST BE SITTING RIGHT HERE LOOKING DOWN OBSERVING.

>> YES.

AND, UM, THE ONES WAY UP THERE WOULD ACTUALLY BRING BINOCULARS IN ORDER TO SEE.

>> YOU'RE KIDDING.

DID YOU DO SURGERIES HERE?

>> YES, YES.

BUT USUALLY, THIS ROOM WAS USED FOR--WITH--AS AN AMPHITHEATER WHEN WE'D BRING PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE--THE GREAT SURGEONS OF AMERICA WOULD COME HERE AS VISITING PROFESSORS, AND THEY WOULD-- WE WOULD PLAN AND HAVE THEM DO SEVERAL OPERATIONS HERE.

>> HERE, WITH ALL OF THE TOP STUDENTS WATCHING.

AND THESE WINDOWS, THESE HUGE--THIS HUGE BANK OF WINDOWS IS NOT HERE BY ACCIDENT, EITHER.

>> NO.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL--IT GIVES YOU A BEAUTIFUL VIEW, BUT THE ACTUAL REASON WAS TO GIVE A LOT OF NATURAL LIGHT, WHICH IS VERY HELPFUL WHEN DOING SURGERY.

>> SO, THIS WAS THE LIGHT THAT CAME IN.

THEN YOU HAD THE OTHER LIGHTS RIGHT HERE.

THE OPERATING TABLE WOULD HAVE BEEN--DID IT MAKE YOU--WERE YOU SELF-CONSCIOUS SITTING HERE WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE WATCHING EVERY MOVE?

>> I WAS NEVER ONE OF THOSE FANCY VISITING PROFESSORS WHO DID THAT.

BUT I HELPED A FEW TIMES, AND THEY WERE NEVER SELF-CONSCIOUS.

THEY WERE ALWAYS JUST INTO WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND TEACHING-- >> BECAUSE YOU GOT--THIS WOULD SEAT 100 STUDENTS UP HERE.

>> YES, YES.

>> ALL WATCHING EVERY MOVE YOU MADE.

>> YEAH.

THAT WAS RIGHT.

AND SOMETIMES THERE WERE LITTLE SLIPS AND THINGS, AND EVERYBODY WENT "OOH."

BUT IT ALWAYS TURNED OUT WELL.

>> YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN DRAWINGS FROM HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO, WHERE THIS SAME AMPHITHEATER... >> YES, IT'S-- >> IDEA WAS USED.

>> IN THE BEGINNING OF SURGERY, THIS KIND OF AMPHITHEATER WAS USED TO TEACH OPERATIONS AND ANATOMY AND OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ONES THAT I'VE EVER SEEN.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

NOW, THIS IS ORIGINAL.

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL--WHAT WOULD THIS HAVE BEEN?

JUST A CLOCK CLOCK?

>> YEAH.

JUST A REGULAR CLOCK.

NOW, THIS IS A CARDIAC ARREST CLOCK, AND SO IF THE PATIENT'S HEART STOPS, YOU FLIP A SWITCH, AND IT STARTS GOING, AND THEN-- >> OH, IT STILL WORKS.

>> YES, STILL DOES.

AND THEN, DEPENDING--YOU MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER TO CONTINUE A RESUSCITATION BASED ON HOW LONG THINGS HAVE GONE.

SO YOU'D ALWAYS HAVE THIS ONGOING MEASURE OF THE TIME.

>> AND THIS IS ORIGINAL FROM THE THIRTIES.

>> YES.

>> NOW, THIS IS ALSO FAMOUS BECAUSE IT WAS SHOWN IN A FAMOUS TELEVISION SERIES ABOUT A DOCTOR NAMED... >> "BEN CASEY."

>> DR. CASEY.

>> YES.

IN THE EARLY '60s.

ABOUT '60, '61, THEY DID THE PILOT FILMING FOR THE "BEN CASEY" SHOW IN THIS HOSPITAL.

AND THIS ROOM WAS USED FOR AN OPERATING ROOM SCENE IN THAT PILOT FILM.

AND SO IN SEVERAL OF THE EPISODES, YOU SEE CUTS FROM THIS ROOM.

>> "BEN CASEY," "GENERAL HOSPITAL," AND PROBABLY COUNTLESS OTHER MOVIES AND TELEVISION SHOWS OVER THE YEARS.

>> YES.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PILOTS DONE HERE.

AND IT'S JUST CONVENIENT TO HOLLYWOOD-- >> NEVER GOT IN THE WAY OF WHAT THE BUSINESS OF THE HOSPITAL IS ALL ABOUT.

>> A LITTLE BIT FROM TIME TO TIME.

>> YOU WORKED AROUND IT.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT STANDING IN THIS ROOM, THOUGH, AND ESPECIALLY LOOKING UP HERE AND SEEING THIS, FROM THE VERY EARLY DAYS, THIS WAS SCENE AS ONE OF THE MISSIONS OF THIS HOSPITAL--TO BE A TEACHING INSTITUTION.

>> YES, CORRECT.

THIS IS AN AMPHITHEATER FOR DEMONSTRATION OF SURGICAL PROCEDURES.

AND HISTORICALLY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF SURGICAL TEACHING, WE'VE USED AMPHITHEATERS.

IN RECENT YEARS, THOSE HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY TELEVISION CAMERAS AND OTHER THINGS.

>> BUT THE WHOLE IDEA WAS THEY THOUGHT AHEAD AND KNEW WHAT THEIR MISSION WAS.

THEY STAYED TRUE TO IT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING TO BUILD THIS AS PART OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> YES.

AND THIS ROOM WAS USED REALLY UP UNTIL MAYBE THE '70s OR '80s ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> BOY, IT REALLY GIVES YOU A SINCE OF PLACE, STANDING HERE AND REALIZING ALL THE YOUNG MED STUDENTS WHO SAT UP THERE FOR DECADES AND LEARNED FIRSTHAND.

AND THAT WAS ALWAYS A PART OF THE MISSION OF THIS HOSPITAL.

>> YES.

YES.

IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING CARE FOR CHARITY PATIENTS, THIS HOSPITAL'S MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOR TEACHING AND RESEARCH.

>> OK. NOW WE'VE COME BACK DOWN TO THE FIRST FLOOR.

AND IT'S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO ONE OF OUR TOUR GUIDES.

DR. BYRNE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU'VE ACTUALLY GOT WORK TO DO TODAY DON'T YOU?

>> YES, AFRAID SO.

>> YOU'RE STILL A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN.

>> YES.

SURE AM.

>> AND YOU'VE GOT PATIENTS WAITING ON YOU.

>> SURE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR STORIES AND ESPECIALLY FOR TAKING US INTO THE OPERATING ROOM.

>> OH, YOU'RE CERTAINLY WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU SIR.

IF I EVER NEED A DOCTOR, I KNOW WHERE TO FIND ONE RIGHT NOW.

GIVE ME YOUR CARD AND I'LL COME SEE YOU WHEN ALL THIS IS OVER.

>> OK. >> ALL RIGHT, THE REASON WE'RE WALKING DOWN THIS HALL, DR. ROYBAUGH, IS BECAUSE SOMETHING USED TO HAPPEN RIGHT HERE.

>> SO, THIS HALLWAY LEADS DIRECTLY OUT OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT-- >> DOWN THERE.

>> RIGHT THERE.

THOSE DOUBLE DOORS.

SO WHEN A TRAUMA PATIENT WOULD COME OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND THEY WERE CRITICALLY ILL, THEY WERE CALLED A RED BLANKET.

IN THE OLD DAYS, THEY USED TO PUT A RED BLANKET ON THEM SO EVERYBODY KNEW THEY WERE DEATHLY ILL AND ABOUT TO DIE.

YOU RUN DOWN THE HALLWAY WITH A GURNEY.

YOU TURN THIS CORNER.

AND YOU GO INTO THESE ELEVATORS TO GO UP TO THE 15th FLOOR-- >> THE OPERATING ROOM.

>> TO THE OPERATING ROOM.

>> OK.

SO HERE WE ARE.

HERE ARE THESE EMERGENCY ELEVATORS.

THE RED BLANKET ELEVATORS RIGHT HERE.

HERE'S THE REST OF OUR GROUP HERE.

THE GUY WITH THE KEYS--NOW IT SAYS "RESTRICTED USE ONLY."

DR. ROYBAUGH SAID EMERGENCY PATIENTS WERE PUT ON THESE ELEVATORS TO TAKE THEM UP TO THE OPERATING ROOM.

BUT IN THE DAY, OTHER PEOPLE USED THESE ELEVATORS AS WELL, DIDN'T THEY?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THESE ELEVATORS WERE MANNED 24/7.

>> SO, YOU HAD TO KNOW SOMEBODY OR HAVE SOME BUSINESS THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO GET ON THESE ELEVATORS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> WE'RE GETTING TO GET ON THE ELEVATORS RIGHT NOW AND FIND OUT WHO ELSE USED THESE ELEVATORS BESIDES CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS.

AND THERE'S THE SIGN RIGHT THERE.

"RESTRICTED--" WELL, HERE IT IS RIGHT HERE.

LET'S GET ON.

"RESTRICTED USE ONLY."

WE'RE GOING UP.

WE HAVE ARRIVED ON THE LUCKY 13th--WELL, ACTUALLY IT'S NOT THE LUCKY 13th FLOOR 'CAUSE NOW WE CAN GIVE AWAY EXACTLY WHY WE'RE HERE.

THIS OUGHT TO HELP.

"NO WEAPONS BEYOND THIS POINT.

NOTICE ALL PERSONS MUST SHOW IDENTIFICATION PRIOR TO ADMITTANCE TO THE JAIL WARDS."

WHAT'S THE DEAL IN HERE, BILL?

>> THIS IS WHERE PATIENTS THAT WERE IN CUSTODY WOULD BE BROUGHT IF THEY WERE SICK.

AND THEY WOULD BE TREATED AND HOUSED IN THIS FACILITY.

>> IT WAS THE JAIL WARD.

>> YES.

>> YOU DID HAVE TO HAVE A KEY TO GET IN HERE, DIDN'T YOU?

>> YES, I DID.

>> ALL RIGHT, HOW DO WE GET IN HERE TODAY?

>> HOLD ON.

>> THERE'S SOMEBODY BACK THERE-- OH THERE IT GOES.

COME ON FELLAS.

WE'RE GOING IN THE JAIL WARD.

WAIT A MINUTE, RIGHT OFF THE BAT I SPOT SOMETHING OVER HERE, DR. ROYBAUGH.

>> SURE.

SO, THEY'D BRING THE PRISONERS IN.

AND THEY HAVE TO BE IN CUSTODY.

AND THEY WOULD ACTUALLY SHACKLE THEM TO THE BENCH.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

WE GOT THE HANDCUFFS RIGHT HERE.

THEY LEFT THEM RIGHT THERE ON THE BENCH WHERE THEY WOULD HANDCUFF 'EM UP.

AND THEN WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

WELL, THEY WOULD BE ADMITTED TO THE ACTUAL JAIL WARD ITSELF.

AND BE SEEN BY THE PHYSICIANS WHO WOULD STAFF THE WARD.

>> CAN WE GET BACK HERE?

>> SURE.

>> WHO'S OPENING UP ALL THESE DOORS?

>> WE HAVE A YOUNG LADY-- >> COME OUT HERE AND TALK TO US FOR A MINUTE.

ARE YOU FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT?

>> YES, SIR.

>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP HERE?

>> I JUST WATCH THE FACILITY BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE ALL THE DEPUTIES STORE THEIR EQUIPMENT.

>> SO, THERE ARE NO PRISONERS UP HERE.

>> NO.

>> OK. WELL, THANKS FOR LETTING US IN.

DON'T FORGET TO LET US BACK OUT.

FINISH OPENING IT UP.

THIS IS GREAT.

LOOK AT THIS.

"DEPUTY PERSONNEL ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT."

NOW, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN BACK HERE, DR. ROYBAUGH.

>> SO, THESE ARE BASICALLY HOSPITAL WARD BEDS.

AND SO THE PATIENTS WOULD BE BROUGHT IN CUSTODY AND THEY WOULD BE HOUSED IN THESE BEDS AND UNITS AND WARDS.

>> THIS WHOLE PART OF THE FLOOR--THE 13th FLOOR--WAS FOR-- WERE THESE CONVICTED PRISONERS?

>> ANYBODY IN CUSTODY, WHETHER THEY HAD BEEN CONVICTED OR NOT.

THIS IS WHERE THEY WOULD BE.

>> AND WAS THIS GOOD DUTY FOR DOCTORS TO COME UP HERE AND WORK ON THESE FELLAS?

>> WELL, IT WAS JUST LIKE WORKING ANY OTHER PLACE.

IT WAS GOOD WORK AND TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS FOR THE MOST PART.

YOU KNOW, SICK PEOPLE NEEDED HELP.

>> SEE, THAT'S THE DOCTOR'S CREED.

YOU HELP EVERYBODY WHO NEEDS HELP.

>> EXACTLY.

>> NOW, IS THIS--WHAT IS THIS?

ONE OF THE ROOMS.

THIS WOULD GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE ROOMS.

SO, THERE WERE BARS ON ALL THE WINDOWS UP HERE.

AND YOU HAVE A GOOD STORY ABOUT ESCAPE PLANS FROM UP HERE.

>> WELL, STORY HAS IT THAT ONE OF THE PATIENTS THAT WAS IN CUSTODY TRIED TO GO DOWN THE LINEN CHUTE, WHICH IS 13 FLOORS DOWN.

BUT HE WAS CAUGHT.

HE DID GO DOWN.

BUT HE WAS CAUGHT.

>> YEAH, SEE, THIS WOULD BE--WELL, THIS WAS HEAVY SECURITY, BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WERE OUTSIDE A PRISON, YOU WERE THINKING, "HEY, I'M IN A HOSPITAL.

THERE'VE GOTTA BE WAYS TO GET OUT OF HERE."

>> YEAH.

EVERY--EVERY ENTRANCE AND EXIT IS MONITORED OR SEALED.

SO THERE'S REALLY NO WAY IN OR OUT EXCEPT THAT ONE DOOR.

>> WAS THIS ALWAYS A PRISON, A PRISONER WARD IN THE HOSPITAL?

SO FROM THE VERY EARLIEST DAYS?

>> FROM THE VERY EARLIEST DAYS, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE JAIL WARD.

>> SEE?

THEY THOUGHT AHEAD, DIDN'T THEY?

>> WELL, THE COUNTY WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INMATES WHO WERE IN THE SHERIFF'S CUSTODY.

AND SO AS PART OF THAT WAS THE MEDICAL CARE THEY THEY ARE--THEY'LL NEED.

>> WOW.

LET'S--LET'S TAKE ONE MORE LOOK IN HERE.

IT'S EMPTY NOW, BUT AT ONE TIME IT WAS FULL OF MEN WHO NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION WHO HAD RUN AFOUL OF THE LAW.

THAT'S WHY THE BARS ARE ON THE WINDOWS.

ALL RIGHT, WE'VE GOTTEN OUT OF JAIL AND NOW WE'VE COME DOWN TO THE THIRD FLOOR.

FOR WHAT REASON?

>> WELL, THIS IS A TYPICAL WARD.

BACK WHEN THIS HOSPITAL WAS BUILT, IN THE 30s, PATIENTS WERE HOUSED IN WARDS.

SO YOU DIDN'T HAVE PRIVATE ROOMS OR SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS.

YOU HAD TO SHARE A ROOM WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE.

>> OK, NOW THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE NURSE'S STATION, RIGHT?

>> THIS WAS THE NURSE'S-- >> EVERY FLOOR HAD A WARD?

>> EVERY FLOOR HAS WARDS ALMOST EXACTLY LIKE THIS.

>> HOW MANY PATIENTS IN THIS HOSPITAL AT A TIME?

>> WELL, WHEN IT FIRST WAS OPENED, IT WAS 1,650 PATIENTS.

>> THAT'S A BIG HOSPITAL.

>> IT'S A BIG HOSPITAL CONSIDERING TODAY, A BIG HOSPITAL IS 600 OR SO.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS PLACE WOULD HAVE BEEN BUSY.

>> VERY BUSY.

>> FULL OF VERY SICK PATIENTS, AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THESE WARDS.

AND THERE'S A REAL STORY ABOUT THE WARDS THEMSELVES.

LET'S GO IN AND TAKE A LOOK.

I OPENED THAT DOOR WITHOUT A KEY.

>> YES.

HA HA.

>> SHE SPRUNG INTO ACTION RIGHT AWAY.

WE HAVEN'T MET YOU FORMALLY UP UNTIL NOW.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> VERY NICE TO MEET YOU AT THIS--MY NAME IS ROSA SACA, AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR THE HOSPITAL.

>> BUT BEFORE THAT, YOU WORE ANOTHER HAT AT THIS HOSPITAL.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE MOVING THIS BED AROUND.

YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY IT WAS PLACED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

UM, I DID WEAR A HAT AS A REGISTERED NURSE FOR 5 YEARS, WORKING IN THESE UNITS AND THESE WARDS, TAKING CARE OF MULTIPLE PATIENTS, AS YOU CAN SEE, IN ONE ROOM.

>> NOW, THAT WAS A BIG DEAL TO HAVE THIS MANY PEOPLE IN EACH ROOM.

DIDN'T THAT PRESENT PROBLEMS?

>> IT DID.

IT DID PRESENT SOME PROBLEMS.

WE DID WORK VERY, VERY HARD AS REGISTERED NURSES ON THE FLOORS TAKING CARE OF, UH, 5 TO 6 PATIENTS PER ROOM.

AND, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS ONLY ONE BATHROOM FOR ALL 6 OR 5 PATIENTS.

SOMETIMES WE WOULD EVEN GET MORE--EVEN AN EXTRA PATIENT IN THIS ROOM.

WE COULD FIT IN AN ADDITIONAL PATIENT.

>> ISN'T THAT AMAZING?

THAT WHEN THIS PLACE OPENED IN THE 30s, IT WAS CONSIDERED STATE-OF-THE-ART.

BUT BY THE TIME, YOU KNOW, WE GOT INTO THE 80s AND 90s, AND INTO 2000, THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF HAVING THIS MANY PATIENTS IN A ROOM WAS VERY OUTDATED AND OUTMODED.

>> YES, IT IS.

YES, AND MOST OF OUR HOSPITALS NOWADAYS, UM, HAVE SINGLE OCCUPANCY BEDS WITH SINGLE ROOMS AND POSSIBLY JUST A FEW DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOMS.

BUT BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, WE USED TO JUST TAKE CARE OF PATIENTS--MULTIPLE PATIENTS AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

>> AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

THEY WERE PROBABLY JUST GLAD TO BE-- WELL, NOT GLAD TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL.

BUT IF THEY WERE SICK, THEY WERE GLAD TO BE SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY WERE BEING TAKEN CARE OF, WHETHER IT WAS IN A SINGLE ROOM OR A WARD LIKE THIS.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

OUR PATIENTS WERE VERY GRATEFUL THEN.

WE--ONE NURSE PER--NOT ONLY ONE ROOM WITH 6--5 OR 6 PATIENTS LIKE THIS, BUT SOMETIMES WE WOULD BE ASSIGNED 2 ROOMS WITH 5 OR 6 PATIENTS EACH.

>> WOW.

COMING BACK IN HERE, DOESN'T THIS GIVE YOU A LOT OF FLASHBACK MEMORIES?

>> YES, IT DOES.

IT WOULD-- BIG MEMORIES.

BUT IT WAS VERY, VERY REWARDING, YOU KNOW.

PATIENTS WERE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL THAT YOU WERE TAKING CARE OF THEM.

YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD ONE BATHROOM FOR 5 OR 6 PATIENTS, THEY HAD ONE TELEVISION-- >> THAT'S THE BATHROOM RIGHT THERE FOR THE WHOLE WARD?

>> THAT'S IT.

ONE BATHROOM, AND THAT'S NOT EVEN A SHOWER, HUELL.

THEY USED TO HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE TO A SHOWER FOR 20 PATIENTS OR SO.

>> WOW.

>> YES, YES.

SO IT WAS AMAZING.

BUT WE MADE DO.

WE DID A LOT OF WALKING.

THE NURSES WORKED VERY, VERY HARD.

AND, UH, WE TOOK CARE OF PATIENTS THE BEST WE COULD.

>> YOU SERVED A LOT OF PEOPLE IN ROOMS AND WARDS JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

>> JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

[KEYS RATTLING] >> OK. BILL'S OPENING UP THE DOOR OF YET ANOTHER-- WHAT FLOOR ARE WE ON, BILL?

>> SECOND FLOOR.

>> SECOND FLOOR.

LOOK AT THIS.

NOW, DR. ROYBAUGH, THIS LOOKS LIKE A FAIRLY EMPTY LIBRARY.

>> YES.

THIS WAS THE HOSPITAL LIBRARY.

THIS IS ALL ORIGINAL.

EACH HOSPITAL HAD ITS OWN LIBRARY.

AND YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS WAS A TEACHING HOSPITAL, SO THEY HAD TO HAVE THE BOOKS AND THE JOURNALS TO BE ABLE TO TEACH.

>> WHO ARE THE 3 PORTRAITS?

>> SO THESE ARE THE SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE HOSPITAL.

SO IF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT, YOU GOT A PORTRAIT MADE FOR YOU.

>> BOY, THESE GO WAY BACK, TOO.

>> SO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE ORIGINAL BUILDINGS BACK, UH, DOWNTOWN.

NEAR OLVERA STREET.

>> AND HERE'S MORE, AND THERE'S STILL BOOKS OVER HERE.

>> RIGHT.

SO THE NEW--THESE JOURNALS HERE ARE BEING HOUSED WHILE THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PUT THE--PUT THEM IN STORAGE SO THAT THEY'RE SAFE AND PRESERVED.

>> "STROKE", "SPINE", "SKELETAL RADIOLOGY".

AND ALL OF THIS--ALL OF THIS WOODWORK HERE IS ORIGINAL.

SO YOU REALLY GET A SENSE OF HISTORY.

LOOK AT THIS OLD THERMOSTAT RIGHT HERE.

THEY REALLY KEPT EVERYTHING, DIDN'T THEY?

>> YEAH.

IT STILL WORKS.

AND, UH, THEY KEPT IT ALL EXACTLY AS IT WAS INTENDED WHEN THEY FIRST OPENED THE BUILDING.

>> WOULD DOCTORS COME IN HERE A LOT TO DO RESEARCH AND READ UP ON THE JOURNALS AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING?

>> DOCTORS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS, NURSES AND NURSING STUDENTS WOULD ALL COME IN HERE AND RESEARCH WHATEVER THEY NEEDED TO TO BE PREPARED FOR THEIR DAY.

>> AS WE WERE LEAVING THE LIBRARY, I SPOTTED THIS SIGN HERE ON THE DESK OUT FRONT.

LOOK AT THIS.

"20 CENTS PER DAY OVERDUE PER ITEM UNTIL REPORTED LOST.

USER WILL THEN BE CHARGED THE COST OF REPLACEMENT."

THIS IS A VERY HISTORIC SIGN, AND IT PROVES THAT EVEN DOCTORS DIDN'T RETURN THEIR LIBRARY BOOKS ON TIME.

>> AND I THINK WE'RE ALL SUBJECT TO THE SAME FINES AS WELL.

>> 20 CENTS PER DAY.

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING MORE INTERESTING.

WE'RE NOW ON THE-- >> SEC--UH, YOU'RE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF GENERAL HOSPITAL, HEADING INTO THE MAIN KITCHEN THAT FED THE PATIENTS HERE.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

>> IT'S HUGE.

>> I NEVER HAD THOUGHT ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE KITCHEN WOULD BE THIS BIG.

'CAUSE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FEEDING 1,600 PATIENTS-- >> YES.

>> AND, UH, VISITORS AND STAFF HERE.

>> WOW.

THIS PLACE MUST HAVE BEEN HUMMING.

>> UH, I WOULD SAY YOU HAD 200 TO 300 PEOPLE WORKING HERE AT ONE TIME.

>> WOW.

AND ALL OF THIS EQUIPMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED UP AND WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING BASICALLY ROUND THE CLOCK.

>> ROUND THE CLOCK.

THIS IS A 24/7 OPERATION.

>> LOTS OF STAINLESS STEEL.

THERE'S STAINLESS STEEL EVERYWHERE.

>> EVERYWHERE.

>> AND LOTS OF OLD EQUIPMENT, AND LOTS OF--OH, LOOK IN HERE.

POTS AND PANS.

>> YES, THESE WERE SOME OF THE PANS THAT WERE USED TO, UH, PRODUCE THE FOOD THAT WAS FED TO THE PATIENTS AND VISITORS.

>> WOW.

IF THESE POTS AND PANS COULD TALK.

>> HA HA HA.

>> AND IT JUST KEEPS GOING ON.

IT'S A WHOLE MAZE OF ROOMS.

NOW, WHAT--WHAT WERE THESE OVER HERE, DOCTOR?

>> THESE ARE FOOD WARMERS, ACTUALLY.

WHEN THEY MODERNIZED THE KITCHEN, THEY ACTUALLY USED THE FOOD CARRIERS RIGHT HERE.

>> OH, RIGHT HERE?

>> THEY WOULD LOAD THEM WITH THE MEALS IDENTIFIED WITH A PATIENT AND A LOCATION, AND THEN THEY WOULD JUST BACK THEM UP INTO THIS WARMER, AND THEN IT WOULD DO THE JOB OF WARMING IT UP TO THE TEMPERATURE IT NEEDED TO BE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE TO PATIENTS.

>> WOW, LOOK AT THIS.

AND THIS GETS--THIS LEADS DIRECTLY INTO THE IDEA OF HOSPITAL FOOD.

WHICH DOESN'T NECESSARILY ALWAYS HAVE THE BEST REPUTATION IN THE WORLD.

YOU WORKED HERE FOR HOW MANY YEARS?

>> 14 YEARS.

>> DID YOU EVER EAT THE HOSPITAL FOOD?

>> NO.

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

>> NOT THAT I DIDN'T, I JUST DIDN'T GET SERVED HOSPITAL FOOD THAT WAS FED TO THE PATIENTS.

>> UH-HUH.

>> THAT WAS SPECIALIZED FOOD.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD HERE?

>> IT WASN'T BAD.

UM, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU WOULD--LATE AT NIGHT WHEN YOU WERE HUNGRY, YOU WOULD EAT SOME LEFTOVER PATIENT FOOD BECAUSE YOU NEEDED TO TO KEEP YOUR STRENGTH UP.

>> YOU MEAN THE DOCTORS WOULD.

>> YES.

UM, AND WE WOULD DO THAT WHEN IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT AND EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED.

>> BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

THERE'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU'RE SICK, AND WHEN YOU NEED HELP, AND WHEN YOU NEED NOURISHMENT, YOU'RE NOT AS PICKY AS IF YOU'RE GOING IN A 5-STAR RESTAURANT.

>> NO, AND EACH MEAL WAS SPECIALIZED FOR EACH PATIENT.

SO IF YOU COULDN'T EAT CERTAIN THINGS, IT WAS LEFT OUT OF YOUR MEAL.

>> YEAH.

WELL, THIS IS A HUGE--LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS ROOM.

AND WHO WOULD HAVE--BOY, WHAT A SURPRISE THIS HAS BEEN.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT OUR TOUR OF THE HOSPITAL WOULD INCLUDE THE KITCHEN?

>> NO.

AND REMEMBER, 1,600 PATIENTS PLUS, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL THOUSAND STAFF.

SO YOU HAD TO HAVE A KITCHEN THIS LARGE TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THAT MANY PEOPLE.

>> WOW.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US DOWN HERE.

>> OH, YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE THAT MUST--ACTUALLY, IN THIS WHOLE HOSPITAL.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

UH, THIS-- LIKE I SAID, THIS IS--THIS WAS 24/7, 200 TO 300 PEOPLE IN HERE, UH, FIXING MEALS AND FITTING THE TRAYS TOGETHER.

BAKING IN THE BAKE SHOP, UH, IT JUST-- IT WAS AMAZING.

IT WAS AMAZING.

>> DID IT SMELL GOOD IN HERE?

>> OH, YES.

IT DID SMELL GOOD.

>> THE SIGN SAYS ADMINISTRATION, BILL IS OPENING UP THE GREEN DOOR, BUT THIS JUST ISN'T ANY OLD GREEN DOOR, IS IT, DOCTOR?

COME ON OUT HERE AND TELL US ABOUT THE GREEN DOOR.

>> SURE.

WELL, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER HISTORIC BUILDING, OLD BUILDING, SUPPOSEDLY THERE'S A GHOST.

A WOMAN AND HER CHILD WHO HAVE BEEN SEEN COMING IN AND OUT OF THIS DOOR AFTER-- >> THIS DOOR?

>> AFTER--UH, THIS DOOR AFTER WE CLOSE DOWN.

SO THAT'S KIND OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PARTICULAR DOOR.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE GHOST?

>> I HAVE NOT.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE GHOST?

>> NO, I HAVE NOT.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE GHOST?

>> NO, I HAVEN'T.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE GHOST?

>> NO, HUELL, I HAVEN'T.

>> [SIGHS] SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?

NOBODY'S SEEN THE GHOST.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, I KNOW A COUPLE OF FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN THE GHOST, AND ACTUALLY WERE SURPRISED BECAUSE NOBODY COMES OUT OF HERE.

AND THEY THOUGHT THAT SINCE THE HOSPITAL CLOSED-- THE MAIN REASON THEY'RE SEEING THEM NOW IS 'CAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOTICING THEM NOW.

BECAUSE THERE'S NOBODY ELSE AROUND.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE IN ALL THIS KIND OF STUFF?

>> I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE.

>> THAT'S A GOOD ANSWER.

LET'S GO IN.

THE ROOM IN HERE ISN'T HAUNTED, IS IT?

JUST THE DOOR?

>> DON'T KNOW.

>> HERE WE GO.

BUT OF COURSE, AS WITH MOST OF OUR TOUR, THIS ISN'T OUR EVENTUAL DESTINATION.

WE'RE GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT WAIT A MINUTE.

LOOK AT ALL THIS.

IT'S LIKE TIME HAS STOPPED IN HERE.

THE DESK AND THE PICTURES, AND THE OFFICE SUPPLIES, AND ALL OF THIS.

IT'S ALL STILL HERE.

>> WELL, WE ARE SLOWLY GETTING IT OUT.

IT COMES IN A LITTLE TIME, WHERE WE, UH--A LITTLE BIT EVERY WEEK, WE COME IN AND WE TAKE SOMETHING OUT.

WE GET THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN HERE TO COME OVER AND GET THOSE THINGS THAT THEY DO NEED AND NEED TO STORE.

>> AND THE REST OF IT IS WHAT, GONNA BE USED BY THE COUNTY SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER IN ANOTHER BUILDING, OR--?

>> THE REST OF IT WE OFFER IT OUT TO OTHER COUNTY FACILITIES TO COME OVER AND SEE IF THEY CAN UTILIZE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE.

AND THEN WE GIVE IT TO THEM.

>> WOW.

SO THIS WAS THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE HERE?

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

>> WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING DOWN THIS WAY.

>> OK, I'M FOLLOWING YOU ALL.

FIRST TIME WE'VE BEEN OUTSIDE ON THE TOUR.

AND THERE'S A REASON WHY.

LOOK AT THIS.

DOCTOR, WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE?

>> WELL, WHEN THE HOSPITAL WAS BUILT, THEY ACTUALLY BUILT IN A THERAPY POOL FOR PATIENTS.

>> SO THIS IS A THERAPY POOL HERE?

>> YEAH.

YOU CAN SEE THE RAILINGS FOR--TO SUPPORT PATIENTS AS THEY DID THEIR PHYSICAL THERAPY.

THERE'S A SEAT TO BE ABLE TO GET THEM DOWN IN.

>> WOW.

>> THERE'S EVEN A HOIST TO BE ABLE TO LOWER PATIENTS DOWN INTO THE POOL ITSELF.

>> SO THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN USED REGULARLY BY THE PATIENTS?

>> ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> WOW.

WAS THIS ORIGINAL TO THE BUILDING?

>> YES.

ALL ORIGINAL TO THE BUILDING.

>> SEE?

THEY REALLY DID THINK OF EVERYTHING.

BECAUSE I'M SURE THAT EVERY HOSPITAL THAT WAS BUILT IN THE COUNTRY BACK THEN DIDN'T HAVE A THERAPY POOL.

THIS WAS BIG TIME.

>> WELL, THEY SPARED NO EXPENSE.

THIS HOSPITAL COST ABOUT $12 MILLION TO BUILD IN 1933, SO YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW MUCH THAT WOULD BE WORTH NOW.

>> WELL, IT--IT WASN'T A RECREATIONAL POOL, ALTHOUGH I'M SURE FROM TIME TO TIME-- >> WELL, I'M SURE FROM TIME-- >> WHY ARE YOU SMILING?

DID YOU EVER COME OUT HERE AND GO FOR A SWIM?

>> OH, NO.

BUT I'D SAY FROM TIME TO TIME IT WAS PROBABLY UTILIZED.

>> YEAH.

WELL, THAT'S OK. YOU NEEDED A LITTLE RELAXATION.

BECAUSE--AND YOU NEEDED TO COOL OFF BECAUSE, MIKE, YOU WERE TELLING ME THAT WHEN THIS HOSPITAL WAS BUILT IT HAD NO-- >> AIR CONDITIONING.

>> NO AIR CONDITIONING?

>> NO AIR CONDITIONING.

NO CENTRAL AIR IN THE BUILDING.

>> SO HOW HOT DID IT GET IN HERE?

>> IT GOT PRETTY HOT IN THE BUILDING.

>> WOW.

WAS THAT--WAS THAT KIND OF ONE OF THE DRAWBACKS?

>> YEAH.

FOR THE SUMMERTIMES, WE'D OFTEN HAVE PATIENTS WHO'D GET DEHYDRATED.

WE'D HAVE TO PUT THEM ON I.V.

FLUIDS BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT IN THE WARDS, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO AIR CONDITIONING.

>> DID THEY HAVE A FAN SYSTEM INSTALLED?

>> NO, JUST OPEN WINDOWS.

>> THEY NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT WHEN THEY WERE BUILDING-- >> NO.

REFRIGERATED AIR WAS VERY NEW BACK IN THE 30s.

>> WOW.

WELL, THEY DIDN'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING OR REFRIGERATED AIR.

THEY DID HAVE THIS THERAPY POOL.

AND HERE IT IS JUST LIKE IT WAS WHEN THE HOSPITAL OPENED BACK IN THE EARLY 30s.

ANOTHER SIGN ON ANOTHER DOOR, "ROOM CAPACITY, 21 PERSONS."

AND THE REASON WE ARE COMING THROUGH THIS DOOR IS BECAUSE AFTER HEARING YOU TALK ABOUT THE FACT THERE WAS NO CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING IN THIS HOSPITAL, THAT IT WAS HOT A LOT OF THE TIME.

WE HAVE COME TO THIS ROOM BECAUSE YOU SAID THIS WAS A ROOM WHERE WE COULD COME TO COOL OFF.

BUT SO FAR, ALL I SEE IS THIS LITTLE ROOM WITH A CURTAIN.

>> WELL, THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW AREAS OF THE HOSPITAL THAT WAS ACTUALLY COOLED ON PURPOSE, FOR A SPECIFIC REASON.

>> SO IS--WHAT'S THE STORY?

WHAT'S BEHIND THE CURTAIN?

>> LET ME SHOW YOU.

[PULLING CURTAIN] >> OH, BOY.

THERE IT IS.

LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHERE WE ARE.

>> WE'RE IN THE MORGUE.

>> IN THE MORGUE.

AND WHAT-- HOW WAS THIS CONNECTED WITH THE MORGUE?

>> WELL, THIS IS A VIEWING ROOM IN THE MORGUE.

AND IN ORDER FOR A BODY TO BE RELEASED TO A FUNERAL HOME, UM, OR TO LOVED ONES, IT HAD TO BE IDENTIFIED BEFORE THE DEATH CERTIFICATE COULD BE SIGNED.

>> SO WHAT WOULD THE-- THE FAMILY WOULD COME IN HERE, THE CURTAINS WOULD BE CLOSED.

AND THEN THEY WOULD OPEN UP THE CURT--THIS WHOLE--AND THE BODY WOULD BE THERE?

>> WELL, THE BODY WOULD BE THERE, BUT COVERED WITH A SHEET.

AND THERE WOULD BE AN ATTENDANT INSIDE.

ONCE THE CURTAIN WAS OPENED, THEY WOULD UNDRAPE THE BODY ENOUGH JUST SO THAT THE FAMILY COULD SEE AND IDENTIFY WHETHER THAT WAS OR WASN'T THEIR LOVED ONE.

>> THIS WHOLE SETUP SEEMS KIND OF MAUDLIN TO ME.

BUT IN A WAY, IT WAS VERY RESPECTFUL.

IT WAS SET UP IN AS GOOD A WAY AS IT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN.

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S NO GOOD WAY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

AND SO WE TRIED OUR BEST TO MAKE IT AS PRIVATE AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S SEPARATE AND AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE HOSPITAL.

THERE'S PLACES TO SIT.

THEY TRIED TO MAKE THE COLORS A LITTLE LESS IMPOSING AND STERILE.

>> YEAH.

DID THIS ROOM HAVE A NAME?

>> NO, IT'S JUST THE VIEWING ROOM.

>> THE VIEWING ROOM.

AND PEOPLE WOULD BE COMING IN AND OUT OF HERE ALL DAY LONG?

>> EXACTLY.

>> WOW.

THIS--LOOK AT THIS.

THIS--BOY, THIS TAKES US BACK TO THE EARLY DAYS, BECAUSE I'M SURE THIS HAS BEEN HERE SINCE THE EARLY DAYS, HASN'T IT?

>> YEAH.

THIS IS ALL PART OF THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE.

>> BUT THERE'S MORE TO THE MORGUE.

WE'VE COME JUST A FEW FEET TO THIS ROOM.

AND IT'S VERY COLD IN HERE.

IT'S FILLED WITH--WHAT DO YOU CALL THESE COMPARTMENTS?

>> THESE ARE CRYPTS.

>> CRYPTS?

>> YES.

>> AND I WANTED TO OPEN UP A CRYPT AND LOOK IN THERE TO SHOW EVERYBODY WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND YOU SAID NO BECAUSE WHY?

>> WELL, THEY'RE STILL USING SOME OF THE CRYPTS FOR DONATED BODIES.

THE NAVY HAS A TRAUMA TRAINING PROGRAM HERE, SO BEFORE THEY SEND THEIR BATTLE SURGEONS TO IRAQ, OR AFGHANISTAN, OR ANY OTHER AREA, THEY COME HERE AND THEY LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED THROUGH BULLETS, AND THE BOMBS, AND WHATEVER.

>> SO THESE CRYPTS ARE STILL TODAY BEING USED, AND THE BODIES ARE DONATED TO THE ARMED FORCES TO STUDY BATTLEFIELD TRAUMA.

>> EXACTLY.

AND HOW TO REPAIR WOUNDS, AND HOW TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN WOUNDS WHEN THEY OCCUR.

>> WOW.

WAS THIS CONSIDERED A BIG MORGUE AT THE TIME?

>> WELL, AT THE TIME, YES.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOMETHING LIKE 12 OR 13 CRYPTS IN THIS AREA.

SO IT'S A PRETTY BIG ONE.

AND EACH ONE WILL HOLD ABOUT 10 BODIES.

>> YOU'RE KIDDING.

>> NO.

THEY'VE--THERE ARE SHELVES IN THERE, AND YOU CAN JUST SHEL--UH, STACK THEM UP.

>> AND ANYONE WHO DIED HERE IN THE HOSPITAL WOULD BE BROUGHT HERE BEFORE THE FUNERAL HOME OR THE FAMILY OR WHATEVER.

AND THEY WOULD GO FROM HERE TO THE VIEWING ROOM.

>> EXACTLY.

>> WOW.

THIS IS ALL FASCINATING.

AND AGAIN, IT'S VERY SURREAL IN A WAY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY STORIES CONNECTED--HUMAN STORIES, FAMILY STORIES CONNECTED WITH THIS ROOM AND WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THIS ROOM.

>> UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF SADNESS.

BUT I THINK A LOT OF EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE AS WELL TO BE ABLE TO RESPECT THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

AND THEN FOR THE ONES WHO ARE--WHO HAVE DONATED THEIR BODIES TO STUDY, AND ALLOWED US TO WORK WITH THEM, REALLY HELPED OTHER PEOPLE IN THE LONG RUN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THE BODIES, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TODAY, THEIR BODIES ARE BEING USED TO FURTHER SCIENCE AND MEDICAL RESEARCH.

>> RIGHT.

THESE BODIES ARE HELPING SAVE LIVES IN THE FUTURE.

[DOOR SQUEAKING] >> EMERGENCY!

EMERGENCY!

THE AMBULANCES WOULD PULL UP RIGHT OUT HERE, UNLOAD THE PATIENTS ON GURNEYS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

THE PATIENTS WOULD BE BROUGHT THROUGH HERE AND INTO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> LET'S GO INTO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

"PUSH TO OPEN DOOR", OH, BOY.

THESE ARE NOT DOORS THAT YOU-- WELL, I GUESS THESE ARE DOORS YOU DID WANT TO SEE OPEN IF YOU WERE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

>> EXACTLY.

THE TRAUMA, THE MOST SICK WOULD BE BROUGHT THROUGH HERE.

THIS EMERGENCY ROOM SAW ABOUT A QUARTER MILLION TO 300,000 VISITS EVERY YEAR.

>> RIGHT HERE?

>> IN MOSTLY THIS AREA.

>> NOW, THEY DIDN'T ALL COME IN BY AMBULANCE.

THEY CAME IN BY CAR, THEY WOULD WALK IN.

I MEAN, THIS WAS THE WAY YOU CAME IN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> EXACTLY.

AND, UH, THE SICKEST OF THE SICK WERE PUT IN THE CENTER PART OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> THESE ARE DUMMIES OVER HERE, AREN'T THEY?

>> YES.

THIS IS BEING USED CURRENTLY FOR TRAINING.

SO THESE ARE ALL DUMMIES THAT WE USE FOR TRAINING.

>> BUT THIS WHOLE AREA WOULD BE FULL OF PEOPLE?

>> FULL OF PEOPLE.

THE PERIPHERAL AREA WOULD BE THE LESS SICK FOLKS, AND THE CENTRAL AREA WOULD BE THE SICKEST PEOPLE.

>> THE CENTRAL AREA IS-- >> RIGHT THROUGH HERE.

>> NOW, DIDN'T THIS HAVE A NAME TO IT?

>> THIS IS, UH--THE FOLKS WHO HAVE EVER COME TO LAC-USC, THIS IS THE LEGENDARY C-BOOTH.

>> BOY, THIS HAS A VERY INTERESTING KIND OF VIBE TO IT.

YOU--EVEN THOUGH IT'S EMPTY, YOU CAN FEEL THAT THIS PLACE USED TO BE--THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAUMA IN HERE, WASN'T THERE?

>> SO TRAUMA, HEART ATTACKS, YOU NAME IT.

THE WORST OF THE WORST IN TERMS OF ILLNESS OR INJURY WAS BROUGHT IN HERE.

AND THEY WERE LINED UP HERE, AND DIFFERENT TEAMS OF DOCTORS WOULD OPERATE--WOULD WORK ON EACH PATIENT.

>> SO THERE COULD BE 4 PEOPLE IN HERE AT A TIME?

>> 4, I'VE BEEN IN HERE AND THERE HAVE BEEN 6 OR 8, DEPENDING ON HOW MANY AMBULANCE RUNS HAD COME IN THAT EVENING.

>> WOW.

SO THIS--WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT BIG CITY EMERGENCY ROOMS, THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT HERE?

>> RIGHT.

SO IF YOU WERE SHOT, IF YOU WERE INJURED IN SOME WAY, HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY, THIS IS WHERE YOU'D WANT TO BE BROUGHT.

BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE YOU'D HAVE ALL THE SPECIALISTS AVAILABLE TO YOU TO GET YOU AND PULL YOU THROUGH WHATEVER HAPPENED.

>> AND SEE?

IT'S SO QUIET IN HERE RIGHT NOW.

I BET IT WAS NEVER QUIET IN HERE, WAS IT?

>> IT WAS THE MOST RAUCOUS PLACE YOU'VE EVER HEARD OF, WITH PATIENTS BEING MOVED IN AND OUT, UH, NURSES AND PHYSICIANS AS WELL AS OTHER HEALTHCARE WORKERS COMING IN AND OUT, WORKING ON PATIENTS.

UH, IT WAS-- IT WAS QUITE THE PLACE.

>> BOY, THIS IS A HUGE EMERGENCY FACILITY HERE.

THAT WAS A VERY INTEGRAL PART OF WHAT THIS HOSPITAL WAS ALL ABOUT.

>> YEAH, THIS HOSPITAL WAS BASICALLY BUILT ON EMERGENCY CARE, TRAUMA CARE, THAT TYPE OF CARE BEING DELIVERED IN THIS PLACE.

THE PREMIER PLACE TO BE IF YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

>> SO PEOPLE WOULD COME HERE FOR INSTRUCTION?

DOCTORS, AGAIN, TO LEARN HERE?

>> DOCTORS, NURSES, RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS, ALL KINDS OF FOLKS.

>> THIS TOPS THEM ALL.

ACTUALLY, THIS DOESN'T TOP THEM ALL.

WE'RE DOWN IN THE VERY INNARDS OF THE BUILDING NOW, BILL.

>> YOU'RE IN OUR TUNNEL.

THIS IS THE TUNNEL THAT LEADS US TO, UH, THE OTHER HOSPITALS THAT WE USED TO HAVE.

THERE'S PEDS HOSPITAL, AND THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.

THIS IS WHERE ALL THE TRAVEL OF, UH, DOCTORS, STAFF, UH, ALL TRAVELED UP AND DOWN THIS-- THIS TUNNEL.

>> THIS IS LIKE A SUBTERRANEAN--OH, MY GOSH.

LOOK AT THIS.

>> SO THIS TUNNEL WAS CONSTRUCTED, UM, IT RUNS UNDERNEATH THE MAIN HOSPITAL AND WENT ALL THE WAY OUT TO MISSION FOR THE OLD HOSPITAL.

>> WOW.

>> AND THEN IT HAD OFF--SPURS TO THE, UH, PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL THAT'S NO LONGER THERE, AND THE PEDIATRIC PAVILION THAT'S NO LONGER THERE.

>> SO THIS WAS A WHOLE SYSTEM OF INTERLOCKING TUNNELS.

WHO WOULD USE THESE TUNNELS?

>> ALL THE--ALL THE EMPLOYEES.

THIS IS HOW THEY TRAVELED UP AND DOWN.

UH, IF THEY WERE DELIVERING GOODS TO ONE OF THE HOSPITALS, THIS IS THE PATH THAT THEY WOULD TRAVEL.

>> AND BEFORE WE GOT TO THIS PART OF THE TUNNEL, I SAW A PART THAT HAD A LOT OF SHOPS.

A LOT OF--WHERE THE CARPENTRY, THE LOCKSMITH, ALL OF THAT.

>> WE HAVE ALL OUR CRAFTS HERE IN THE BASEMENT.

IN WHAT WE CALL THE BASEMENT OR THE FIRST FLOOR, THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE HOUSED.

SO THEY WOULD BE, UH, SUMMONED TO GO IN DIFFERENT PLACES FROM THOSE SHOPS.

>> THIS WAS A QUICK WAY TO GET THERE.

BOY, IT'S COOL DOWN HERE, TOO.

>> IT'S COOL DOWN HERE, IT'S HOT OUTSIDE.

YOU'D WALK THROUGH THE TUNNELS.

THE OTHER THING IS WHEN IT FIRST OPENED, THEY WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE GURNEY RACES DOWN THIS TUNNEL.

>> YOU'RE KIDDING.

>> THE PHYSICIANS AND NURSES WOULD HAVE GURNEY RACES.

SO THEY'D HOP ON A GURNEY AND RIDE ON DOWN HERE.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE ONE OF OUR TRAMS GOING THROUGH.

THAT'S, UH, THAT'S GOING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

>> WOULD YOU USE THIS TUNNEL A LOT?

>> UH, WE WOULD USE IT PARTICULARLY WHEN IT RAINED.

WE WOULD WALK THROUGH HERE IF WE NEEDED TO GO TO THE PEDIATRIC PAVILION OR THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.

>> 'CAUSE I DON'T THINK PEOPLE--IS THIS A SKYLIGHT HERE?

>> YEAH, THESE ARE SKYLIGHTS FOR SOME NATURAL LIGHT.

>> WOW.

SEE, I DON'T THINK THE AVERAGE PERSON EVER EVEN KNEW THIS WAS DOWN HERE, DID THEY?

>> WELL, PARTICULARLY IN THAT ERA, THERE WERE A LOT OF BUILDINGS BUILT WITH THESE SUBTERRANEAN TUNNELS IN THEM.

UH, ESPECIALLY LARGE CAMPUSES LIKE UNIVERSITIES.

>> SO WE ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT HIDDEN SUBTERRANEAN TUNNELS BETWEEN BUILDINGS IN L.A., THIS IS THE REAL THING DOWN HERE.

>> THE REAL THING.

AND THERE'S ACTUALLY EVEN A BOMB SHELTER FROM THE 50s THAT'S LOCATED JUST OFF ONE OF THESE TUNNELS AS WELL.

>> WELL, WE'RE NOT REALLY THAT FAR DOWN, ARE WE?

'CAUSE WE HAD A SKYLIGHT THERE A MINUTE AGO.

>> NO.

>> WE'RE A GOOD FLOOR, FLOOR AND 1/2, 2 FLOORS DOWN.

>> AND THIS WAS A BIG DEAL TO BUILD THIS WHEN THEY BUILT THE HOSPITAL.

THIS TOOK A LOT OF WORK JUST TO PUT THIS TOGETHER.

>> WELL, JUST TO SITE IT AND THEN PLAN IT OUT WAS A MAJOR ENGINEERING ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THERE'S LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN DOWN HERE?

>> WELL, WE'RE COMING TO A JUNCTION.

AND THEN A BRIDGE.

>> SO THIS JUST GOES ON AND ON AND ON.

>> IT'S ABOUT A QUARTER TO HALF A MILE DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU START.

>> WOW.

WELL, WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF THINGS.

THIS--THIS REALLY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST SURPRISES.

>> YES, IT IS.

AND A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES USE IT AS A, UH, WALKING AVENUE ON A DAILY BASIS TO GET THEIR EXERCISE.

YES.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO GET OUT IN THE ELEMENTS, THEY ARE RIGHT HERE IN THE TUNNEL.

>> NOW, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN CLOSED OFF.

>> THIS WAS OUR SPUR THAT LEADS US TO OUR PSYCH AND PEDIATRIC PAVILIONS.

THIS WAS THE ONE THAT THEY TOOK.

SO YOU BRANCHED OFF AND WENT DOWN, AND YOU WENT TO ONE HOSPITAL OR YOU BRANCHED OFF AND WENT TO ANOTHER.

>> AND THEN OVER HERE, THERE'S ANOTHER WHOLE LONG LOW-- >> THAT LED US TO OUR WARD PHARMACY BUILDING WHERE, UH, PHARMACY IS PRODUCED.

>> WOW.

>> WE STOCK THE DRUGS THERE.

THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE RECEIVED.

>> WOW.

THIS IS FASCINATING.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US DOWN HERE.

I BETCHA THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN THIS BUILDING OVER THE YEARS THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE COME DOWN HERE.

>> THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OF THEM THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN DOWN HERE.

>> WHAT A DAY WE HAVE HAD TOURING THE OLD GENERAL HOSPITAL HERE IN EAST L.A. WE WERE GONNA END UP BACK WHERE WE STARTED THIS MORNING, IN FRONT OF THE OLD HOSPITAL, BUT ACTUALLY IT SEEMS MORE APPROPRIATE TO END UP RIGHT HERE.

WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW, DR. ROYBAUGH?

>> WE ARE IN FRONT OF THE NEW LAC-USC MEDICAL CENTER.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

IT GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND.

THIS IS A BIG FACILITY.

BUT IN MANY WAYS, IT'S NOT QUITE AS BIG AS THE ONE WE'VE BEEN IN TODAY.

>> CORRECT.

SO THIS FACILITY HAS 600 BEDS, UH, FOR PATIENTS.

THE OLD FACILITY WAS LICENSED FOR 1,250 BEDS.

SO IT'S ABOUT HALF AS MANY BEDS AS WE HAD BEFORE.

>> OK, SO THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW FACILITY--L,A--WHAT IS LAC?

L.A. COUNTY?

>> LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

>> PLUS USC, SO YOU'RE CARRYING ON THAT CONNECTION, THAT TRADITION.

>> YEAH.

THE TWO HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, WORKING TOGETHER FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE THAT RELATIONSHIP.

>> SO THIS IS STATE-OF-THE-ART TODAY.

THE OLD BUILDING THAT WE WERE IN, WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO THAT BUILDING?

IT'S STILL BEING USED ON SOME OF THE FLOORS.

>> SO SOME OF THE FLOORS ARE GONNA BE CONVERTED INTO OFFICES.

IT'S A HISTORIC BUILDING, SO IT CAN'T BE TORN DOWN.

>> IT'S AN OFFICIAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

>> OFFICIAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

SO THEY'LL BE SEALING OFF SOME OF THE FLOORS TO PRESERVE THEM, FROM ABOUT 5 OR 6 UPWARD.

AND ANYTHING BELOW THAT WILL REMAIN AS WORKING OFFICE SPACE OR OTHER SPACE FOR COUNTY OFFICES.

>> BUT THERE ARE NO PATIENTS THERE NOW.

THAT'S WHY WE HAD THE RUN OF THE PLACE TODAY.

>> EXACTLY.

>> STILL SOME ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND SOME WORKERS WE SAW DOWN IN THE TUNNELS AND AREAS LIKE THAT, BUT IT'S NO LONGER OFFICIALLY THE HOSPITAL.

THIS IS THE NEW HOSPITAL.

>> PART OF THE DEAL WE GOT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP PAY FOR THIS NEW HOSPITAL IS-- IS CLOSING DOWN THE OLD HOSPITAL AND OPENING THIS NEW ONE UP.

>> BUT YOU'RE PRESERVING THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE OLD HOSPITAL.

WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN IN IT IN THE YEARS TO COME ON THOSE UPPER FLOORS.

>> NO, BUT--YOU KNOW, IT'LL BE EXCITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> SOMETHING'S GONNA HAPPEN.

IT'S NOT GONNA BE TORN DOWN.

>> NO, SIR.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S ALL STAND OVER HERE TOGETHER.

FIRST OFF, HERE'S THE GUY WITH THE KEYS.

ANYBODY WHO EVER WANTS TO TOUR THE OLD GENERAL HOSPITAL, WE'RE GONNA PUT YOUR HOME PHONE NUMBER DOWN HERE SO THEY CAN GIVE YOU A CALL AND YOU CAN TAKE THEM EVERYWHERE FROM THE MORGUE TO THE TUNNELS, TO THE KITCHEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

YOU CAN GIVE THEM THE WHOLE TOUR, RIGHT?

>> JUST LET ME KNOW.

I'M AVAILABLE.

>> YOU KNOW THEY'RE GONNA CALL.

>> HA HA HA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE LOVED HEARING YOUR FIRST HAND STORIES-- >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ABOUT BEING A NURSE AT THE OLD GENERAL HOSPITAL.

>> BEING A NURSE FOR 20 YEARS AT THE OLD GENERAL HOSPITAL.

AND NOW I AM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR THE NEW HOSPITAL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU'RE CARRYING ON THAT TRADITION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND THANK YOU.

YOU'RE THE ONE WHO STARTED IT ALL OFF THIS MORNING, EARLY THIS MORNING KINDA SETTING UP THE HISTORY.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF RICH HISTORY IN THE OLD BUILDING AND THE BUILDINGS BEFORE THE OLD BUILDING, THE OLD OLD BUILDINGS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND OF COURSE THERE'S HISTORY BEING WRITTEN IN THIS HOSPITAL.

>> THIS HOSPITAL'S BEEN A VERY, VERY RICH PART OF THE WHOLE FABRIC OF EAST LOS ANGELES, AND REALLY THE CITY AND THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES.

>> A CONTINUING TRADITION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU KNOW, I'D NEVER BEEN TO THE HOSPITAL BEFORE.

THIS WAS MY FIRST VISIT TO THE OLD GENERAL HOSPITAL.

BUT WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY I THINK ALL OF US HAVE HAD, GOING THROUGH IT AND RE-LIVING SOME OF ITS HISTORY.

AND THEN OF COURSE ENDING UP RIGHT HERE LOOKING OUT TOWARD THE FUTURE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK RIGHT HERE.

BOY, IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND SHINY IN THE AFTERNOON SUN.

THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW L.A. COUNTY HOSPITAL WHICH IS CARRYING ON THIS PROUD COUNTY HOSPITAL USC TRADITION RIGHT HERE IN EAST L.A. [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org] >> WELL, HELLO EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER, AND I SURE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS ADVENTURE WHERE WE TOURED THE OLD COUNTY USC GENERAL HOSPITAL, WHICH OF COURSE IS NOT ONLY ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT, BUT A REAL PIECE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HISTORY.

THANK GOODNESS IT'S BEING SAVED EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT A HOSPITAL ANY MORE.

IT'S NOT BEING TORN DOWN.

AND WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT ITS FUTURE USE IS GONNA BE, BUT IT'S BEING SAVED.

BUT IT'S BEING SAVED.