Historical Reflections: The Medical Heritage Center Blog

Ohio State Penitentiary (Ohio Penitentiary Hospital)

Built in 1834, the Ohio Penitentiary was actually the second Ohio Penitentiary, the third state prison, and the fourth jail in early Columbus. Prison Hospital was a part of the upper corridor of the city prison and was set aside as a hospital by Prison Director Davis in 1900. In April 1955 it housed an all-time high of 5,235 prisoners. Most prisoners were removed from the prison by 1972 with the completion of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, and the facility was closed December 31, 1983. The state sold the Ohio Penitentiary to the City of Columbus in 1995. The 23-acre site, bounded by Maple, West and Spring Streets and Neil Avenue, is now part of the Nationwide Arena complex.

Grant Hospital, c.1904

Dr. James F. Baldwin began Grant Hospital in 1900 as a private hospital to serve the growing middle class. Three additions were added to the original building from 1904-1914. By 1904, Grant Hospital was considered the largest private hospital in the world with a bed count of 303.

Mercy Hospital, c. 1920

South Side Emergency Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Columbus Community Hospital

South Side Emergency Hospital opened March 17, 1903 in a large house at 1522 South High Street at Welch started by a doctor and several laymen. They abandoned the effort but the residents of the area saw the need for a hospital to serve the south side of Columbus and they pushed ahead with plans to establish a permanent facility. In early 1904, twenty ladies organized a nonprofit corporation. A charter was established authorizing its operation and establishing a school of nursing. Mercy Hospital opened March 1, 1904 with four doctors, one nurse and one patient. During 1907, the School of Nursing graduated its first class and a decision was made to begin fund raising efforts for a new, larger facility. Money was raised to purchase a new permanent building at 1430 South High Street. The new facility opened in 1910 and was expanded in 1930. A medical office building was constructed in 1958. In 1970 new buildings replaced the old building. Mercy Hospital was renamed Columbus Community Hospital in 2001 and closed later that year for financial reasons. In 2002 it was reopen as an urgent care facility named Urgent Care Plus and in 2011 still functions as such.

St. Clair Hospital building, c. 1990s

Built in 1911, St. Clair Hospital focused on serving Pennsylvania Railroad workers and their families. It was constructed by the St. Clair Company and incorporated under the laws of Ohio. The hospital also maintained a nursing school with a 2.5 years training program.

Located on St. Clair Avenue north of Mt. Vernon Avenue, the five-story building housed 30 beds and 2 operating rooms. Due to industrial changes in Columbus, the hospital was not needed and closed in 1940.

Doctors Hospital became the first osteopathic hospital in Columbus in 1939. It was started by three osteopathic physicians. Through the efforts of the Women’s Auxiliary in 1941, steam food conveyors were installed, soundproofing was added to the first and second floors and the old iron beds were replaced. Several buildings were added to the original house from 1944 through the 1960s.

Columbus Radium Hospital, c. 1920s

Columbus Radium Hospital began in 1920 on the site previously occupied by Protestant Hospital. Bed capacity was 25 with approximately 6 beds for emergency. Its goal was to be the only free clinic of its kind between New York and Chicago. Drs. Edward Reinhert, U. K. Essington, E. H. Chapen and R. R. Kahle made up the staff. They treated patients with radium and provided x-ray observations. In 1938 this hospital became Doctors Hospital.