United States Marine Hospital (Mobile, Alabama) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
United States Marine Hospital
|
|
The former U.S. Marine Hospital in 2009
|
|
| Location | 800 St. Anthony Street Mobile, Alabama |
|---|---|
| Built | 1842 |
| Architect | Bunnell, Frederick |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000428 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 1974 |
The United States Marine Hospital is a very old and important building in Mobile, Alabama. It was once known as the Frank S. Keeler Memorial Hospital. This hospital is famous for its Greek Revival architecture style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples, with tall columns.
Building the hospital started in 1838 and finished in 1842. Frederick Bunnell was the architect who designed it. The hospital was run by the Marine Hospital Service. This service helped care for sick and injured sailors. The hospital stayed open until 1952.
During the American Civil War, this hospital helped many soldiers. It treated both Confederate and Union soldiers who were hurt. The hospital has some features, like its two-story columns, that are similar to the old Mobile City Hospital nearby.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 27, 1974. This means it's a special place recognized for its history. The Mobile County Board of Health bought the building in 1975. They later added a new part to the back and fixed up the old building. In 1984, it was renamed the Major General William C. Gorgas Clinic.
Hospital History: Key Dates
This timeline shows important moments for the Marine Hospital.
- 1798: The U.S. government created the Marine Hospital Service. Its job was to care for sick and disabled sailors.
- 1817: The first Marine Hospital in Mobile was built. It was located on Government Street.
- 1836: The first Marine Hospital was destroyed by a fire.
- 1838: Land was bought for a new Marine Hospital. This is the building we know today at 800 St. Anthony Street. It was built next to the new City Hospital.
- 1861-1865: During the Civil War, the Marine Hospital became a military hospital. It cared for both Confederate and Union troops.
- 1870: The hospital stopped being a military hospital. It went back to its original role as the Marine Hospital.
- 1872: The Marine Hospital was rented out to a private group. A report from that year said the building was "old and unworthy of any considerable outlay for repairs."
- 1876: The Marine Hospital became a public hospital again.
- 1901: Modern updates were added, like electric lights and new plumbing.
- 1902: The hospital's name changed to the U.S. Public Health and Marine Service Hospital.
- 1912: This hospital became the first place for studying malaria by the U.S. Public Health Service.
- 1914: During World War I, the hospital helped soldiers and sailors. It also continued its public health services.
- 1915: The first female nurse, Miss Ruby Gordon, started working here. Before this, only male nurses were employed.
- 1932: A new three-story building was added to the back. This almost doubled the hospital's size.
- 1953: The Sixth District Tuberculosis Association planned to buy the hospital. They wanted to use it to treat tuberculosis. Frank S. Keeler was chosen as their president.
- 1955: The U.S. government gave the hospital to the Sixth District Tuberculosis Association. It was then used as a tuberculosis hospital.
- 1973: The hospital was renamed the Frank S. Keeler Memorial Hospital. This honored Frank S. Keeler for his work in getting the hospital for tuberculosis patients.
- 1974: The Frank S. Keeler Tuberculosis Hospital closed on July 1. On July 9, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1975: The Mobile County Health Department bought the Frank S. Keeler Memorial Building. They also bought the land around it.
Images for kids
-
Gate leading to rear of hospital in 1936
