1946 saw an outbreak of polio spread across the United States and Rosemount was not isolated from this epidemic. Hi, I'm Maureen, a local historian. In 1947, the University of Minnesota opened a polio hospital on some of the property acquired from the Gopher Ordnance Works in Rosemount. Using a new method called occupational therapy, patients would use exercise to strengthen polio-paralyzed muscles. A team of medical researchers created sophisticated surveys and data to better understand the disease. Rosemount resident Marcella Rohrer, a 22-year-old registered nurse, was appointed the superintendent of the hospital. With the help of the American Red Cross Gray Ladies and volunteers from Rosemount, they worked with the patients. Gene Autry, the famous cowboy star, visited the Rosemount Polio Hospital. He was there to see Herschel Gruenberg, a friend and former Hollywood producer who had contracted polio. The hospital closed on July 1st, 1948. The remaining patients were transferred to other hospitals in the area. What happens today is tomorrow's history.