greenlane hospital is a complex of several buildings dating from as early as the 1870s to the present day. one of the buildings was donated by edward costley, an auckland businessman who bequeathed money for many charitable works. the national women's hospital dates from the late 1950s and was an icon of modernity in its day. during world war ii large numbers of prefabricated buildings were constructed in the eastern part of cornwall park in readiness for wounded and sick american soldiers to be evacuated from guadalcanal. the buildings were used during the 1950s and 60s as maternity wards until the adjacent national women's hospital was fully open. the buildings were progressively reduced in number in the 1960s although some remained standing empty until the mid 1970s. now only the us flag pole and a plaque remain as a memorial to the wartime usage.