Children’s Hospital

Hospitals for children began to appear in the United States in the late 1800s. Members of the King’s Daughters of St. Paul Episcopal Church initiated the movement to secure a children’s hospital in Columbus in 1891.

The first Children’s Hospital building opened in 1891. The prevailing color scheme was blue and white, carried out in staff uniforms, chinaware, linens and bedding. Originally Children’s Hospital had four beds. Six more were added almost immediately. The hospital was open to patients between the ages of one and sixteen; no patient could stay longer than three months; and, no cases of infectious disease were accepted.

Eventually, the hospital outgrew its original building and moved to new facilities in 1924 at 17th and Stone Streets, fronting Livingston Park. The hospital is now known as Nationwide Children’s Hospital. It is home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

*Part four of a seven part series highlighting the history of Columbus medical centers.