The previous post described the origins of Wood's Hospital in Upper Largo (now known as John Wood's Houses). The original building was damaged in a flood in 1830 and the present building was put in its place shortly afterwards. The 1831 building was designed by civil engineer James Leslie at a cost of £2,000. James Leslie was the son of Largo architect-builder Alexander Leslie. Although James did not practise officially as an architect, he did occasionally design buildings and Wood's hospital was one of the few projects he took on as architect, presumably due to his personal connection to Largo. The two-storey Jacobean design building has thirteen bays arranged in a 3-3-1-3-3- symmetrical design and was made from stone quarried at Keil's Den (see 1831 advert for sale of quarry immediately after completion of the hospital).
The accomodation was described as follows:
"It is fitted up for sixteen inmates, each having a sitting and a sleeping apartment. In the centre is a large hall, where they are convened to prayers morning and evening; above which is a room for the meetings of the patrons."
Each resident had a monthly allowance and a share of the garden. They could undertake whatever tasks they were able to around the grounds. The photograph below shows men working in the garden in 1950.
The accomodation was described as follows:
"It is fitted up for sixteen inmates, each having a sitting and a sleeping apartment. In the centre is a large hall, where they are convened to prayers morning and evening; above which is a room for the meetings of the patrons."
Each resident had a monthly allowance and a share of the garden. They could undertake whatever tasks they were able to around the grounds. The photograph below shows men working in the garden in 1950.
In 1950 the building underwent significant modernisation. Oil lamps and gas light were replaced with electric lighting. New indoor conveniences replaced old toilets at the rear of the house. There was some reconfiguration of the rooms. By this time, there was no longer a requirement for residents to share the surname of the founder John Wood and any pensioner living in the neighbouring district could apply for residence. Also women residents outnumbered men in 1950. At that time, on 17 May, the Leven Mail described the gardens as "laid out with strawberries, fruit trees and bushes of all kinds. Vegetables and flowers are also widely cultivated." Relics from the past still could be found within the hospital - the newspaper articles mentions old-fashioned bath chairs, a century old iron bed complete with bell rope and the wash-house with its stone boilers.
Further renovation was carried out in 1975, following the sale of Monturpie farm and then a few years later several sheltered houses were built within the grounds. John Wood's Houses is now a supported housing complex, comprising 15 bungalows and 8 flats, for people over the age of 55.
Further renovation was carried out in 1975, following the sale of Monturpie farm and then a few years later several sheltered houses were built within the grounds. John Wood's Houses is now a supported housing complex, comprising 15 bungalows and 8 flats, for people over the age of 55.
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