St. Mary's Hospital

Organized in 1866, this institution was the first private hospital established in the state. Originally known as Charity Hospital, it was founded by three French Catholic Sisters, members in the Order of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Constructed on this site, which had been part of Fort Scurry during the Civil War, the hospital opened for patients on April 1, 1867. The new hospital proved to be a vital addition to the health care facilities of the area. Three months after it was opened, a yellow fever epidemic struck the city. One victim of the disease was the hospital Superior, Mother M. Blandine. Following the epidemic an orphanage and school were established here by the Sisters for children whose parents died of the sickness. The school was closed and the orphanage was later moved to another site in Galveston. St. Mary's played a significant role in the aftermath of two area disasters. In 1900, despite heavy damage caused by a hurricane, the hospital remained open for the treatment of storm victims. In 1947 health care was provided here for many of the thousands injured in a series of chemical explosions and fires at the port of Texas City (8 mi. NW).

St. Mary's Hospital is a historical marker in Galveston, Galveston County, dedicated in 1980. It is one of 283 historical markers documented in Galveston County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 373 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.3093, -94.7762 near Galveston. The nearest cataloged historic site is McKinney-McDonald House (historic place), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Galveston Medical College, Old Red, Ashbel Smith Building, and University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5167007173. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.