Old Scottish Rite Hospital building facts for kids
The Old Scottish Rite Hospital was a special place that helped children who were sick or recovering from surgery. It was first called the Scottish Rite Convalescent Home for Crippled Children. This hospital cared for children who couldn't afford medical help. It was located in Decatur, Georgia, United States.
The hospital started in a small rented house with only six beds. Later, six of its buildings became so important that they were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Hospital
The idea for the hospital began in 1913. A man named Ed Roberts was hurt in a train accident. While he was getting better, he talked to his friend, Forrest Adair, who was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Around the same time, Dr. Michael Hoke helped Mrs. William C. "Bertie" Wardlaw's nephew recover from a serious bone infection. To thank Dr. Hoke, Mrs. Wardlaw started raising money to open a hospital for children with physical challenges.
She worked with Forrest Adair and asked the Scottish Rite Masons for their help. The Masons are a charitable group. Because of their big contributions, Mrs. Wardlaw added "Scottish Rite" to the hospital's name. In 1915, the hospital opened its doors.
Growing Bigger
The Scottish Rite Convalescent Home quickly grew. Mrs. Wardlaw and other kind people from Atlanta, especially the Scottish Rite Masons, raised more money. This allowed the hospital to rent two more cottages. Soon, the facility could care for 18 patients, or even 20 if needed.
New Buildings for Patients
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children
|
|
Old Scottish Rite Hospital, September 2012
|
|
 Location in Atlanta
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 321 West Hill Street Decatur, Georgia United States |
|---|---|
| Area | 4.8 acres (1.9 ha) |
| Built | 1919 |
| Architect | Reid, Neel |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004665 and 04000929 |
| Added to NRHP | June 17, 1982 (with 5 contributing buildings) September 4, 2004 (with one contributing building) |
A brand new hospital building was designed by architects Neel Reid and Hal Hentz. It was finished in 1919. This new building could serve 50 patients. With the new building came a new name: Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children.
Back then, before the 1930s, there weren't many medicines to treat childhood diseases that caused physical challenges. So, the hospital was designed to give young patients lots of sunshine and fresh air. The buildings faced south to get plenty of sun.
The patient wards had large windows. They even had special windows above the roof to let in more light. The buildings were also placed to allow good airflow in warm weather.
The design also included bright, airy spaces for play and rest. Each ward had a sunroom with glass walls. Sliding glass doors led to screened porches. Children who couldn't leave their beds could be wheeled onto these porches. They could also go onto paved terraces outside to rest or play in the fresh air.
In the 1940s, new medicines became available. This made the screened porches less important for treatment. Since then, these porches have been enclosed with steel windows.
Two more main buildings were added later. A service building was built before World War II. Nurses' living quarters were built after World War II.
The property, with five important buildings, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Another listing for the same address, with one building, was added in 2004.
Eventually, the hospital moved to a different location. The old buildings were left empty. In 1979, the Community Center of South Decatur was created. This group wanted to fix up the old hospital. The buildings were very large and expensive to keep up.
In 1997, the City of Decatur looked for someone to redevelop the property. They wanted to save the historic buildings. They also wanted to build new homes for the neighborhood. A plan was approved to fix up the old hospital. It included building 14 new apartments for people with temporary or permanent disabilities. It also added new affordable homes for families.
From 1997 to 1999, the east wing of the building was rented by a group of artists. They used it for studios, art shows, and performances.
What the Buildings Are Now
Today, the old Scottish Rite Hospital buildings are no longer a hospital. The west wing now has a full-service bar. Offices are located in the main building.
The east wing is leased to the Community Center of South Decatur. This wing is home to "The Solarium," which is a community meeting space. It can also be rented for weddings and other private events. The old nurses' quarters were sold. They have been turned into office spaces.
New Hospital Location
The Scottish Rite Hospital moved to a new location north of Atlanta, Georgia, in the 1970s. In 1998, the Scottish Rite Hospital joined with Egleston Children's Health Care System. Together, they created Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). CHOA continues to provide excellent care for children today.
