In the 1940's a polio epidemic was sweeping the nation. On the (then) outskirts of Greensboro, between Huffine Mill Road, Summit, and Bessemer Avenues, one could see rows and rows of white cinder block buildings.These buildings were constructed, virtually overnight, to quarantine children who had contracted polio. Today, on this property in northeast Greensboro, a few now-painted-blue buildings with boarded windows remain, abandoned monument to the Polio Children's Hospital of the late 1940's.
With a little investigating, we learned that Greensboro pediatrician, Dr. Gregory Ravenel, saw a need for a hospital when the epidemic first hit the area. It is said that in twelve days, he and local businessmen raised $100,000 to build a facility. In 2007, Peggy Longmire wrote an article about polio survivor Lynn Gordon who refers to Dr. Ravenel and mentions her months in the polio hospital. Another local name associated with the hospital is Ruth Holland Morton. According to Mrs. Morton's 1/25/05 obituary, she was "the first licensed physical therapist in Greensboro... and her practice of 58 years included the Polio Children's Hospital and... The Triad Post Polio Group." Finally, we'll need to read her autobiography to learn whether North Carolina's most famous polio survivor, Martha Mason, received treatment at this facility. Unfortunately, Ms. Mason died recently (May 5, 2009) after living for 61 years in an iron lung, due to extensive paralysis from when she contacted polio in 1948 at the age of eleven.
Over the years, The Polio Children's Hospital has been repurposed. In the 1950's it housed, temporarily, students from nearby Bessemer School while it underwent renovation. The remaining structure, part of which is featured above, is significantly smaller than the original. Seeing the above "NO ENTRANCE" sign makes us wonder, "Just where was the entrance?"
Interesting post. Very informative.
Posted by: cieldequimper | Monday, June 01, 2009 at 06:52 AM
It's sad to think of the days of epidemics and sad to see this remnant. Can you imagine living in an iron lung? :(
Things are much improved today, thank God.
Posted by: Dina | Monday, June 01, 2009 at 08:15 AM
It was Dr SAM Ravenel, not Gregory. I know, because he was also my doctor.
Posted by: Sue Stamper | Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 02:23 AM
Anybody know where the medical records for patients who were there between 1954-1959 might be?
Posted by: Judi Kinlaw | Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Does anyone know where the patient records are. Were they ever transferred to a place they can be researched? thank you, sansdan
Posted by: Dan Moore | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Dan: I don't know the location of the records. The Greensboro Historical Museum might know. They are a great resource for information like this!
Thanks for visiting GDP.
Posted by: Greensboro Daily Photo | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 08:38 PM
I was a patient at Polio Hospital after being shot with a .22 caliber rifle.My pediatrician,Dr. James E. Best was laughed at when he suggested that I go there for physical therapy on my legs.
I was paralyzed from the waist down and I spent 6 weeks at the hospital.I credit that therapy to me walking today.I was shot in March of 1953 and was the first emergency patient at Moses Cone.
They had been open only 2 days when I was admitted.I still remember though I was only 6 years old the iron lungs and beds that rocked 24 hours a day with children on them.Polio Hospital had a very caring and professional staff
Posted by: Ken Karns | Thursday, May 05, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Ken: Thank you so much for your personal story and insight on the Polio Hospital. We're glad that you found the post after almost two years!
Please visit us often and keep the comments coming!
Posted by: David T | Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 09:24 AM