Cherry Valley Hospital facts for kids
The Cherry Valley Hospital was a very large hospital built during World War II near Beaumont, California. It was also known as the Beaumont General Hospital and later the Naval Convalescent Hospital Beaumont. This important medical center helped thousands of soldiers and sailors who were injured or sick during the war.
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Building a Hospital for War
The United States Army built the Cherry Valley Hospital in the spring of 1942. It was designed to hold 1,000 patients. The hospital was located on a large piece of land, about 241 acres, at the base of the San Bernardino National Forest. This was about 4 miles north of Beaumont.
Hospital Buildings and Facilities
The hospital had 90 wooden buildings. These included 34 buildings just for patients. There were also buildings for offices, water treatment, and housing for the staff. It was a complete mini-city designed to care for many people.
Supporting Troops in the Desert
The US Army used the Cherry Valley Hospital to support soldiers training nearby. These soldiers were part of the huge Desert Training Center. This training area stretched from Pomona, California all the way to Phoenix, Arizona. It also went south to Yuma, Arizona and north into Nevada.
Training for North Africa
In 1942 and 1943, soldiers from the US Army and Army Air Forces trained in this desert. They were preparing for the North African campaign, a major part of World War II. The hospital was ready to treat any soldiers who got sick or injured during their tough training.
By May 1944, the Army no longer needed the Cherry Valley Hospital. The large training center had finished its main work. So, on July 1, 1944, the hospital was given to the United States Navy.
The Navy renamed it the Naval Convalescent Hospital Beaumont. This hospital focused on helping sailors and marines recover. They cared for those with injuries or illnesses, people recovering from surgery, and even those with mental health challenges. Many patients were later able to return home.
After the War
After World War II ended, the hospital closed down. This happened on December 31, 1945. By July 1946, almost all of the hospital buildings were taken down. Only one building remained.
What Happened to the Land?
The last remaining building became a hardware store. In 1948, the land was sold by the General Services Administration. Today, this area has been developed into homes. It is now part of Cherry Valley, California, known as Cherry Valley Acres.
