Marine Hospital

Marine Hospital

In the Sothern Indiana area there are countless amounts of buildings with strong architectural history. There are many buildings that we pass by daily and don’t know anything about. One of the most significant buildings in this area isn’t even located in Indiana, but is located in Louisville, Kentucky just on the other side of the Ohio River. A Marine Hospital was built in Louisville in 1837, after congress authorized the construction. The hospital was built “for the benefit of sick seamen, boatmen, and other navigators on the western rivers and lakes.”

The architect that designed the Marine hospital in Louisville was Robert Mills. Robert Mills was born in 1781 in Charleston, South Carolina. He went to college in Charleston, and then later studied architecture under the supervision of James Hoban. James Hoban is the architect who designed the White House. Thomas Jefferson also helped Mills, and provided him with access to his great architectural library. In 1808 he began studying the Greek style of architecture with Benjamin Latrobe. This style stayed with Mills in his later designs. Robert Mills began his career designing churches, houses, bridges, hospitals, and other government buildings. From there he began designing more elaborate structures. He is probably best remembered for the Washington Monument, the U.S. Patent Office, the old Post Office in Washington, or the U.S. Treasury Building. (Charleston’s)

During his career Mills designed thirty Marine hospitals based on two different designs. Both designs were based on the Gothic style of architecture with closely placed columns, and pointed arches. This was the appropriate design for hospital buildings in this time era. The Marine hospital in Louisville was built in 1852. The Marine hospital in Louisville was placed directly on the riverside because of its spectacular view. The sole purpose for the location of the Marine hospital was to comfort the crews from the boats. (Charleston’s)

Although, the main reason behind building the hospital was for men traveling on the Ohio. The hospital was open to anyone serving in the Marines. In fact the majority of the patients were cooks, pilots, and others affiliated with the Marines. Many of the Marines seeking treatment had injuries due to the harsh climates that they battled daily. The intense summer heat played a toll on many besides the heat the harsh winters on the Ohio also affected many. Some say that the Marine hospital treated a large number of diseases included smallpox, yellow fever, cholera, and malaria. The hospital took a large array of patients; many soldiers were treated for alcoholism and depression at the hospital in Louisville. (Bell)

During this time period there was no such thing as health insurance. The construction of the Marine hospitals was the beginning of America’s first health care. A twenty-cent to fifty-cent deduction was taken out of the paychecks of the soldiers to help pay for the treatments provided at the hospitals. This alone didn’t support the heath care system so the federal government contributed to the fund. This funding allowed soldiers to go in for treatment, and not have to deal with the hassle of paying the bills or worrying about the money needed to cover their treatments. This was just the beginning of America’s healthcare system. (Bell)

The Marine Hospital opened its doors in 1837 and closed in 1863. The first surgeon in charge was Dr. Matt Pyles he was the main doctor in charge soon after he resigned Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge took his position. Eight years later Dr. Thomas W. Colescott served at the hospital until the Marine hospital was closed. These doctors served during the hard times of our American soldiers. In 1863 when the doors closed all the patients went to the Louisville City Hospital. (Bell)

The Marine Hospital in Louisville was unique, because it is the only one of ten Marine Hospitals