The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain will have an open house marking its 75th anniversary Friday, Oct. 17. (Photo provided by Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center)

IRON MOUNTAIN – The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center invites the community to attend its 75th anniversary open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, beginning in the Urgent Care entrance.

“We’d like to invite the public to the medical center for tours, a reception and to learn more about our history and the services we have available to Veterans,” Medical Center Director John P. Shealey said.

With many veterans returning home from World War II with injuries, Iron Mountain was chosen in 1945 by the Veterans Administration as a site for one of 100 new VA hospitals being built across the U.S.

On March 14, 1948, construction began on 31.5 acres that had once been the site for a large sawmill and lumberyard. At a cost of $6.5 million, it was the largest building project ever to date in the Upper Peninsula. The six-story, 265-bed hospital with 360 staff was dedicated on March 5, 1950.

Today, in addition to the main campus, OGJVAMC oversees eight Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Gladstone, Hancock, Ironwood, Manistique, Marquette, Menominee and Sault Ste. Marie and in Rhinelander, Wis. The facility serves 24 counties across 25,864 square miles and provides care to approximately 22,000 veterans each year.

Veterans and the public are encouraged to visit the Iron Mountain VA Facebook page for upcoming event information. For more information, contact Public Affairs at 906-774-3300, ext. 34849.