Dr. Cyril O. Spann Medical Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dr. Cyril O. Spann Medical Office
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Dr. Cyril O. Spann Medical Office and historical marker
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2226 Hampton St.. Columbia, South Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1963 |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 100003939 |
| Added to NRHP | May 20, 2019 |
The Dr. Cyril O. Spann Medical Office is a historic building in Columbia, South Carolina. It was built in 1963 by Dr. Cyril O. Spann to provide medical care for African-American patients. This was during a time of racial segregation in the United States, when laws and social rules often kept Black and white people separate.
Because of its important role in history, the building was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places on May 20, 2019.
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A Doctor for the Community
Dr. Cyril O. Spann built his medical office in 1963. It is a one-story brick building with a modern style. It was located near the Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital, a hospital for African-American patients where Dr. Spann was the chief of staff. He worked with Black nurses who had trained at Columbia Hospital.
After the Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital closed in 1973, Dr. Spann kept working from his office. He also became a surgeon at other local hospitals. The Spann Medical Office is important because it represents a time when medical care was segregated. Dr. Spann was believed to be the only Black surgeon in South Carolina during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Born in Chester, South Carolina, Dr. Spann went to Benedict College and Meharry Medical College. He traveled all over the state to care for Black patients until he passed away in 1979.
Dr. Spann's office was different from other Black doctors' offices at the time, which were often in houses. He was very involved in designing the building to look modern. It has long ribbon windows and clean lines, which are features of Modern architecture.
A Fight for Civil Rights
Before building his office, Dr. Spann was a key figure in the local civil rights movement. He was what some historians call a "street fighter"—a leader who took direct action to fight for justice. He was the president of the Columbia chapter of the NAACP, an organization that fights for the rights of African Americans.
The Student March of 1961
On March 2, 1961, Dr. Spann supported a large protest led by students at the South Carolina State House. Over 187 of the student protesters were arrested. Dr. Spann helped raise the money to bail them out of jail.
This event led to a famous lawsuit called Edwards v. South Carolina. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. The court was led by Chief Justice Earl Warren at the time.
On February 25, 1963, the Supreme Court made a historic decision. It ruled that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution protects people's right to peacefully express their views, even if those views are unpopular. This ruling gave legal protection to protesters across the country.
Helping Young Activists
Dr. Spann continued to support young people fighting for equality. He used his skills as a surgeon to save the life of a Benedict College student named Lennie W. Glover. Glover had been stabbed by a white man while participating in a peaceful protest, called a sit-in, at a Woolworth's store in Columbia. This event was reported in national news magazines like Jet.
Ending Segregation in Columbia
During the 1960s, students held many protests to end segregation in Columbia. The city's mayor, Lester Bates, worked with committees of Black and white leaders to desegregate the city peacefully.
Dr. Spann was part of these efforts. In 1963, he helped to integrate the Palmetto Theater on Main Street. This was a "test case" to see how the community would react. Slowly and carefully, one place after another in Columbia began to end segregation. Dr. Spann and other Black leaders worked with the mayor to make sure downtown businesses would serve everyone, regardless of their race.
A Legacy of Black Doctors
From 1963 to 1996, the medical office at 2226 Hampton Street was home to many respected African-American doctors. After Dr. Spann, other physicians continued his work of serving the community from this important building.
Some of the notable doctors who worked there include:
- Dr. Albert L. Reid, who shared the office with Dr. Spann.
- Dr. Everett L. Dargan, who worked to get better government support for medical care for the poor.
- Dr. Burnett W. Gallman Jr., whose grandfather was also a doctor.
- Dr. Gerald A. Wilson, who received the Order of the Palmetto, one of South Carolina's highest honors.
- Dr. Vera McBryde, believed to be the first Black woman to become a board-certified doctor in South Carolina.
- Dr. Stuart A. Hamilton, who founded a health clinic system for low-income patients.
Historic Recognition
Today, the Spann Medical Office is recognized for its historical importance. Besides being on the National Register of Historic Places, it is also part of the Waverly Preservation District in Columbia.
On November 19, 2019, a historical marker was placed at the site. At the ceremony, speakers honored Dr. Spann's contributions to medicine and civil rights. A "tree of peace and resistance" was also dedicated that day. It symbolizes the commitment to public health and non-violence, and honors the memory of those lost in tragic events at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Tree of Life Synagogue.
See also
- South Carolina in the civil rights movement
- National Register of Historic Places listings in South Carolina
- List of African-American historic places in South Carolina
- List of African-American historic places
- Medical racism in the United States
- Race and health in the United States
- Health equity
