History

Rockwood’s History of Service

The Strong Roots of Our Vibrant Communities

Our story starts in the mid-1950s. Members of Spokane’s Central United Methodist Church began exciting plans for a new kind of retirement community nothing like the existing stand-alone nursing homes. Instead, it would celebrate and support an independent lifestyle while providing skilled care if and when it was needed. In 1958, Spokane United Methodist Homes was incorporated as a non-profit corporation. On November 1, 1960, Rockwood South Hill’s 7-story tower opened offering independent apartments, making Rockwood one of the few pioneers in the state offering an active retirement alternative.

Today, Rockwood South Hill and Rockwood at Hawthorne are the only two accredited Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) between Seattle and Minneapolis. With fifty years of experience providing the finest senior living environments, we're experts in the pursuit of the carefree lifestyle you want and deserve.

In 1987, construction began on Rockwood South Hill’s private homes in Rockwood Forest Estates. With this exclusive neighborhood of custom homes, Rockwood expanded the continuum to include an option for highly independent living in a secure residential setting with access to services and programs, another innovative approach to retirement. Then, in 1999, a new Wellness Center and 30 specialized dementia care assisted living apartments were added, and the second floor of the tower was converted into assisted living apartments, adding breadth and depth to the continuum.

Also in 1999, Spokane United Methodist Homes acquired Hawthorne Retirement Community, now called Rockwood at Hawthorne, which opened in North Spokane in 1958. Hawthorne provides independent living apartments and homes, assisted living, and skilled nursing care in their health center. Hawthorne Court includes 20 homes surrounding a lovely courtyard, and there are also three duplexes that are part of the community.

In 2011, Rockwood opened the first phase of Appleway Court—a senior affordable housing residence in Spokane Valley—and began conversion of another floor of The Ridge, Rockwood South Hill, to assisted living.

Today we continue to improve the quality of life for all of our residents, using technology, continuing training for staff, and holistic health and wellness programs. We make sure we keep asking residents and their families their preferences, and revisiting the optimum use of our resources.