Dunbar Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunbar Hospital |
|
|---|---|
| Allied Medical Society | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Michigan, United States |
| Organization | |
| Funding | Non-profit hospital |
| Hospital type | General |
| Services | |
| Beds | 27 |
| History | |
| Closed | 1962 |
The Dunbar Hospital was a very important place in Detroit, Michigan. It was the first hospital especially for the black community in the city. You can find it at 580 Frederick Street. Today, the building is the main office for the Detroit Medical Society. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 because of its historical importance.
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The Hospital Building
The building that became Dunbar Hospital was first built in 1892. It was designed by the Guy W. Vinton Company. The building was originally a large home for a real estate developer named Charles W. Warren. This area was a very popular neighborhood in the late 1800s.
Building Style and Look
The building has three stories. It mixes two old architectural styles: Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne. It is made of red brick and rough-cut stone. The front entrance has a deep, arched porch on the first floor. The second floor has a balcony with two brick arches. The roof is made of slate. There's also a special window section on the roof called a gabled dormer.
Why Dunbar Hospital Was Needed
In the early 1900s, many black people moved to Detroit. This happened especially after World War I. In 1910, fewer than 6,000 black people lived in Detroit. By 1917, more than 30,000 black people called the city home. This quick growth caused a big problem for healthcare.
Healthcare Challenges
At that time, hospitals were often separated by race. Black patients were frequently not allowed into hospitals. Even black doctors had to ask for special permission to admit their patients. Many times, black patients were simply turned away. This made it very hard for the city's 30 black doctors to care for everyone who needed help.
How Dunbar Hospital Started
A doctor named James W. Ames was very important in starting the hospital. He came to Detroit in 1894. Dr. Ames was a respected leader in both the black and white communities. He even became a state lawmaker in Michigan.
Forming the Allied Medical Society
In 1918, Dr. Ames brought together 30 black doctors. They formed a group called the Allied Medical Society. They wanted to create a place where black patients could get proper care. The area around Frederick Street was becoming a lively center for Detroit's black community. The Allied Medical Society bought the old Warren home on Frederick Street.
Opening the Hospital
The doctors opened their own non-profit hospital in the building. It was the first hospital in Detroit to serve the black community. They also started a nursing school there. The hospital was named after Paul Laurence Dunbar. He was a famous black poet who had visited Detroit and supported important causes. The hospital had 27 beds and a room for operations.
What Happened Next
In 1928, the Dunbar Hospital needed more space. So, it moved to a bigger building a few blocks away. The hospital was then renamed Parkside Hospital. It continued to help people until 1962.
The Building's New Life
After Dunbar Hospital moved, Charles Diggs Sr. bought the old building on Frederick Street. He later became the first African-American Democratic state senator. His son, Charles C. Diggs Jr., also became a state senator and then a U.S. Congressman. In 1978, the Detroit Medical Society bought the building. This group is the successor to the Allied Medical Society. They fixed up the building. Now, it serves as their main office and a museum.
