Mary Elizabeth Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mary Elizabeth Hospital
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Facade
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1100 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1920 |
| Architect | Dr. Harold Glascock, et al. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001415 |
| Added to NRHP | February 5, 2009 |
The Mary Elizabeth Hospital was an important medical center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was designed by Dr. Harold Glascock and first opened its doors in 1920. This historic building is located on the corner of Wake Forest Road and Glascock Street. Today, it is recognized as a Raleigh Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Look Back: Hospital History
The story of Mary Elizabeth Hospital began even before the famous building was constructed. Dr. Harold Glascock and Dr. A.R. Tucker first opened a hospital in 1914. This first hospital was located on Peace and Halifax streets in Raleigh.
Moving to a New Home
As the hospital grew, it needed a bigger and better space. So, in 1920, the new building on Wake Forest Road and Glascock Street was finished. This became the main home for Mary Elizabeth Hospital. It served the community for many years, helping countless people. The hospital continued to operate successfully until 1978.
Building Style: What It Looked Like
The Mary Elizabeth Hospital building is quite special. It is a two-story building made of brick. The design is a mix of two popular styles from that time: Colonial Revival and American Craftsman.
Unique Architectural Features
The Colonial Revival style gives the hospital a classic, grand look. But it also has Craftsman features, like wide eaves and a sloped roof. You can also see exposed rafter tails, which are the ends of the roof beams. These details made the hospital fit in well with the many Craftsman-style homes nearby. The building faces west, with a nice lawn and old trees in front.
Amazing Medical Achievements
Mary Elizabeth Hospital was known for being a place where many medical "firsts" happened in North Carolina. Doctors who worked there remember it as a very advanced hospital for its time.
Pioneering Medical Care
Here are some of the important things that happened at Mary Elizabeth Hospital:
- The very first blood transfusion in North Carolina was performed there.
- Doctors handled the first pathological frozen section at this hospital. This is a quick way to check tissue during surgery.
- The first doses of penicillin in Wake County were given to patients there. Penicillin was a new and powerful medicine at the time.
- The hospital started the area's first modern unit for obstetrical care, which helps mothers and babies.
- Mary Elizabeth Hospital was also the first place in Raleigh to offer radium treatments.
The Hospital's Final Years
By the mid-1960s, medical technology was changing very fast. The doctors at Mary Elizabeth Hospital realized their building was getting old. It wasn't big enough for all the new equipment and advanced treatments.
Planning for the Future
The doctors decided they needed a brand new hospital. This new hospital would be much larger and designed for future growth. In 1970, the hospital was sold to a company called Charter Medical. Plans began for a new hospital with 150 patient beds.
Challenges and a New Beginning
Building the new hospital wasn't easy. There were legal challenges from other hospitals, Rex and WakeMed Hospitals. These challenges delayed construction for six years. Because of the delays, Charter Medical couldn't afford the project anymore. So, Mary Elizabeth Hospital was sold again, this time to the Hospital Corporation of America.
Finally, in 1978, the new hospital was built further up Wake Forest Road. On June 10, 1978, the new hospital officially opened its doors. On the same day, the original Mary Elizabeth Hospital closed for good.
A New Name and Lasting Legacy
The new hospital was named Raleigh Community Hospital. This name showed its connection to the community. Many doctors and staff from Mary Elizabeth Hospital moved to the new Raleigh Community Hospital. Later, in 1998, Raleigh Community Hospital became Duke Raleigh Hospital.
After the hospital closed in 1978, the old building found a new purpose. The United Way of Raleigh moved in and used it as their local office. Even though it's no longer a hospital, the Mary Elizabeth Hospital building remains an important historical landmark in Raleigh. It reminds people of its long history of serving the medical needs of the community.
See also
