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Today, as we reflect on the great life of Rev. Martin Luther King,Jr. we bring you the following:
L. Richardson Memorial Hospital, at 603 South Benbow Road at the corner of Washington Street, has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1992. In May 1969, the history of the facility appeared in an article in the Journal of the National Medical Association (available here). According to the article, it was a "Negro hospital to serve the needs of the city" (p. 205). Before it opened, Greensboro only had six hospital beds for African American patients. The history of the hospital and the benefactors is fascinating. If you are interested in the history of health care or African-Americans in Greensboro, please read the article.
The Mission Revival Style facility, shown above, was formally dedicated as a hospital May 27, 1927 with "a baby show, track meet, and May Pole dance at World War Memorial Athletic Stadium" (p. 207). During its time as a hospital, Richardson Memorial trained nurses and had several important clinics, including one for nutrition of newborns, one for artificial sun therapy to treat rickets, and one to treat tuberculosis. In June, 1966, this facility ceased being a hospital when patients were transferred to a new, nearby facility. Babies were transported in station wagons. The elderly were transported by ambulances supplied by local funeral homes. The transition, like the hospital was a grand community effort. The facility is named after its first major benefactor, Lunsford Richardson of Vicks Salve Fame. Back in the day, it was the only fire-proof hospital in Greensboro and was an impressively supplied and staffed facility.
Today, L. Richardson Hospital Apartments, the 32-apartment facility is intended for residents 55 or older. Rent prices start at $419 a month. Kudos for retaining the façade and the name, lest its history fade forever. (See more pictures with a dash of yellow on Mellow Yellow Monday).
I like the architectural details! I'm a little surprised to see that much snow down there ....
Posted by: leif hagen | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 08:14 AM
Thanks for the story today.
Posted by: birdman | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 08:38 AM
Wow such a great inspiration here. Great information thanks for sharing!
Macro Monday
Posted by: Manang Kim | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 12:21 PM
How cool to live in such an environment with so much history.
Posted by: Lesley | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 12:21 PM
that is some interesting history!
I love hearing stories like this.
Posted by: Lily | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 02:38 PM
PS
If you get a chance, stop by & enter my giveaway. You can access it by clicking on the photo on my sidebar.
: )
Posted by: Lily | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 02:39 PM
I agree.. so glad they could keep the wonderful historical architecture!
Posted by: srp | Monday, January 17, 2011 at 10:31 PM