Charleston Naval Hospital Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Charleston Naval Hospital Historic District
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Charleston Naval Hospital in 1948
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Former Charleston Navy Base including portions of Turnbull Avenue, Hobby Street, Avenue F, Avenue G, Avenue H, Avenue I, Truxton Avenue, and Marine Avenue, North Charleston, South Carolina |
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| Area | 33.73 acres (13.65 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000851 |
| Added to NRHP | October 22, 2010 |
The Charleston Naval Hospital Historic District is a special part of the former Charleston Navy Base. It includes many buildings that were used to provide medical care for Navy members and their families. This area has a long history of helping those who served our country.
Contents
How the Hospital Started: 1902-1922
In 1902, the Navy bought a large piece of land in Charleston, South Carolina. This land was meant for medical facilities near the new Navy Yard. At first, medical staff worked from tents or small rooms.
Building the First Dispensary
By 1905, a small building was set up for sick Marines. In 1906, the Congress approved money for a proper medical office, called a "Yard Dispensary." This wooden building was finished in 1908. It started small but grew over time, even adding a basement. Patients sometimes stayed in tents nearby.
World War I and a Bigger Hospital
When World War I began, the small dispensary couldn't handle all the sick and injured sailors. The Navy Base grew quickly, needing space for 5,000 trainees. To help, temporary beds and tents were set up, allowing for 120 patients.
Because of this urgent need, a new, larger hospital was quickly built. Work started in June 1917, and the hospital opened just a month later. It had 19 temporary wooden buildings and could care for 250 patients. These buildings included wards, an administration office, a kitchen, and a recreation hall. By September 1918, 14 more buildings were added, increasing the hospital's capacity to 1,000 beds! Ambulances helped bring patients from ships and other Navy locations.
Closing the Emergency Hospital
After World War I, fewer patients needed care. In 1922, the large emergency hospital closed. The smaller Yard Dispensary became the main Naval Hospital again. Some buildings from the emergency hospital were moved or reused to expand the dispensary.
Growing Over the Years: 1922-1970
The hospital/dispensary in 1922 was made of several wooden buildings. It could hold about 57 patients. Over the next few decades, new parts were added as needed. A new wing was built for offices and sick officers. Other buildings were converted for different uses, like a dental office or a clinic for families.
Separating Medical Services
By 1941, the hospital and the Yard Dispensary became separate medical units again. The old dispensary building was too small. A new, more central location was found for the dispensary in 1942. Many of the original 1917 emergency hospital buildings were torn down or moved during the 1930s.
Building a Modern Hospital
In 1940, two new wards were added, bringing the hospital's capacity to 117 beds. This was still not enough. So, in 1940, about a million dollars was secured from the Works Progress Administration to build a new, larger hospital.
Construction for this new naval hospital began in 1941 on the same spot as the old World War I emergency hospital. It was finished and opened in April 1942. This new hospital was much bigger, with 380 permanent beds. More temporary wards were added, bringing the total capacity to 600 beds.
A Special Recreation Building
In 1944, a large recreation building was constructed. It was a place for patients to relax and have fun. Inside, you could see beautiful murals painted on the walls. One huge mural showed Navy, Marine Corps, and Red Cross figures. Another wall had a giant painted map of the world. The building also had a post office, barber shop, beauty shop, library, and a movie theater that could seat 542 people!
A New Era: 1970-2007
On February 14, 1970, a special ceremony marked the start of building a brand new Charleston Naval Hospital. This modern hospital would replace the older facilities.
The New 10-Story Hospital
The new hospital was dedicated on March 2, 1973. It was a tall, 10-story building with 500 beds and lots of space. It had modern features like central heating and air conditioning, TVs in patient rooms, and special systems for oxygen. It also had seven operating rooms and two Intensive Care Units. This new hospital served about 73,000 people. It cost over $18.5 million to build.
Changes and Reductions
In the early 1990s, the Naval Hospital Charleston was very busy. It had over 1,200 staff members. They delivered over 1,300 babies and performed more than 3,000 surgeries each year.
However, in 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process began. This led to a big reduction in the Navy's presence in North Charleston. Many Navy personnel and their families moved away. As a result, the hospital's bed capacity was reduced to just 40 beds by 1995.
In 1996, the Charleston Naval Base and Shipyard officially closed. Many Navy ships that had called Charleston home left.
Adapting to New Needs
To save resources, the hospital's Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit closed in 1998. The hospital then started working with Trident Health System. This allowed Naval Hospital doctors to use Trident's facilities for surgeries and inpatient care.
In April 1999, the last inpatient ward at the hospital closed. From then on, the facility focused on outpatient services, meaning patients would come for appointments and then go home. In October 2006, the operating rooms also closed.
Today's Health Clinic: 2007 and Beyond
In 2004, the Naval Weapons Station Dental Clinic joined the Naval Hospital. This helped combine services and improve care.
Becoming a Health Clinic
On January 12, 2007, the Naval Hospital Charleston officially changed its name to Naval Health Clinic Charleston. This new name better reflected its focus on "ambulatory care," which means walk-in, walk-out services.
A groundbreaking ceremony for a new clinic building was held in March 2007. This modern, two-story clinic would be shared with the Ralph H. Johnson Veteran's Administration Medical Center. It was completed in September 2010.
Current Services
The Naval Health Clinic Charleston now provides health services for about 12,000 people. It is located at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek.
- The Branch Medical Clinic offers family medicine and other basic services.
- At the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC), the clinic provides care for 5,000 students and 500 staff.
- The Branch Wellness Clinic offers classes and advice on staying healthy.
On September 1, 2010, the clinic moved into its new, state-of-the-art building. This new facility is 188,000 square feet and offers many upgrades. It even has a drive-through pharmacy! All Naval Health Clinic Charleston operations are now in this one location, providing modern, convenient care.
Images for kids
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Naval Health Clinic Charleston, located in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina
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U.S. Navy Ambulance
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Charleston Naval Hospital in 1922, North Charleston
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Charleston Naval Hospital aerial view July 7, 1949, North Charleston
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Naval Hospital Ground Breaking 14 February 1970, North Charleston
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Artist Conception of new Naval Hospital, North Charleston
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The Branch Medical Clinic
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NNPTC
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Navy Charleston Medical Wellness-Readiness Clinic
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Navy Charleston Dental Clinic
