'Good Sam' was the first privately owned hospital for blacks in the state.
When it opened in 1891 on a block between Graham and Mint streets, it was the only hospital where black physicians were allowed to practice before the mid-1960s in Mecklenburg County. The city took ownership of the hospital in 1961, changed its name to Charlotte Community Hospital in 1963 and then the facility was later converted to the county-run Magnolias Nursing Home. Good Sam was demolished in 1990 -- the Panthers' Bank of America Stadium now sits on its former site.
The hospital was respected and supported by the community, although you'll see there were some low points...
'Good Samaritan Hospital was built in 1888 with funds raised by St. Peter's Episcopal Church.'
1908 postcard. Courtesy Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library
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July 21, 1895
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Dec. 3, 1905
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Dec. 11, 1915
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August, 1913
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May 12, 1916
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March, 1920
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1959
May 12, 1916
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March, 1920
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1959
'Good Samaritan Hospital nurses' home from the `Nightingale` 1959 yearbook.'
Donated by Carolyn Wyche to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
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1961
Staff photo
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1970
'Exterior of Good Samaritan Hospital in Charlotte.'
Staff photo by Davie Hinshaw
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2002
'A new sign marks the site of the former Good Samaritan Hospital in front of Ericsson Stadium Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, in Charlotte, N.C. The Good Samaritan Hospital is gone now, torn down to make way for Ericsson Stadium. But a state historical marker is now in place to mark the existence of the state's first privately funded black hospital.'
Staff photo by Davie Hinshaw
I was in that building in the late 80's when it was the Magnolias. I was looking for a placement for my father moving here who needed full time care. The choices were very few. As a nearly vacant hospital it was creepy. The kind woman who handled admissions directed me to the Oaks, south of Huntersville which was taking the responsibilities of Magnolias.
ReplyDeleteThe Oaks was previously a "poor farm" (as I recall it) at the intersection of what is now WT Harris and N 29. There was a very large old farmhouse with outbuildings, and those without resources could earn their keep. The University Hospital is on the property now. Might there be some photos of that facility?
Tarhoosier - thanks for the interesting comment! My photo files are in a state of flux but I'll keep an eye out for The Oaks.
ReplyDeleteMaria
Wasn't Green Acres where University Hospital stands now? Across Harris Blvd. from the current hospital is an old cemetery with graves of some of the residents. I know Green Acres was a rest home/nursing home toward the end, but I've heard that it was a county poorhouse in its early days.
ReplyDeleteThe cemetery is very interesting to walk through.
That it was, my nana worked there and I spent many a day/night with her there..
DeleteMore on Good Samaritan hospital, with additional photos, from a May 1964 article in National Medical Assoc's Journal: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610783/?page=2
ReplyDelete