Letterman Army Hospital facts for kids
The Letterman Army Hospital was a special hospital run by the United States Army. It was located at the Presidio of San Francisco in San Francisco, California. The hospital started around 1898. Later, in 1969, its name changed to the Letterman Army Medical Center (LAMC). This important facility helped soldiers for many years before it closed in 1994. Some of the very first buildings from 1898 are still standing today. They are now used by the Thoreau Center for Sustainability. The newer hospital building, built in the 1960s, was taken down to make space for the Letterman Digital Arts Center.
The Story of Letterman Hospital
This hospital was built in 1898. In 1911, it was named after Major Jonathan Letterman, a doctor who lived from 1824 to 1872. The hospital played a big part in every major war the United States was involved in during the 20th century. It stayed open until the army base itself closed in 1995.
How Letterman Hospital Helped During Wars
Because it was on the West Coast, Letterman Hospital was a very important place for helping American soldiers during wars in the Pacific Ocean. For example, in 1945, after World War II, the hospital cared for over 73,000 patients who came from the Pacific war zones. During that war, a group of 40 men from an Italian Service Unit also helped out at the hospital. Later, during the Vietnam War, Letterman Hospital was where many wounded American soldiers were sent when they returned to the United States.
What Happened to the Hospital Building?
The main hospital building was officially closed in 1994. This happened when the army base was given to the National Park Service. The building was later taken down in 2002. A few years later, in 2005, a famous movie company called Lucasfilm opened the Letterman Digital Arts Center right where the old hospital used to be.
