1804-1872 - Georgia Colony's first hospital was founded for sick seamen in
1804. In 1808, it became incorporated and was named the Savannah Poor House and
Hospital. The hospital was initially located in a private home on Joachin
Street. In 1819, the hospital erected its first building. In 1872, the name was
changed to Savannah Hospital.
1872-1888 - Savannah Hospital was headquarters for the Savannah Medical School
and home to the city's first nursing school.
1930 - Savannah Hospital was acquired by the Georgia Hospital Board of
the Methodist Episcopal Church South and renamed in honor of the Bishop, Warren
A. Candler.
1960 - Candler Hospital joined forces with the longest operating women's
hospital in the United States, the Telfair Hospital for Females. Created in 1886
through the estate of Mary Telfair, the hospital became Candler's obstetrical
unit.
1980 - Candler Hospital moved to its current location on Reynolds Street.
Believed to be the second-oldest general hospital in continuous operation in the
United States, Candler Hospital has serviced more than nine generations of
Savannah-area families.
1997 - Candler Hospital entered into a joint operating agreement with St.
Joseph's Hospital and together formed St. Joseph's/Candler, the region's largest
and most experienced healthcare provider.
The Marker says: Georgia`s first
hospital, this institution is believed to be the second oldest general hospital
in continuous operation in the U.S. It was founded in 1803 as a seamen`s
hospital and poor house and was incorporated in 1808 under the name of Savannah
Poor House and Hospital Society. The hospital was removed to this site in 1819.
In 1835 a new charter was obtained for the institution. During the War Between
the States a portion of the Hospital was used for the care of Confederate
soldiers. In the area to the rear a stockade was erected in 1864, around the
great oak that still stands there, for confinement of Union prisoners. After
Sherman’s occupation of Savannah and until 1866 the building served as a Union
hospital. The name was changed in 1872 to Savannah Hospital. From 1871 to 1888
the Savannah Medical College was located here. In 1876 the building was
completely renovated. However, the structure of the 1819 building was retained
and remains as the nucleus of the present hospital. In 1931 the facilities were
acquired by the Methodist Church, and the name changed to honour Bishop Warren
A. Candler. Erected
1964 by
Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-84.)
Sadly this old lady could do with a bit of TLC. It is
supposed to be the most haunted building in Savannah, popular tour in the
dark.
Outside is the
Candler Oak Tree.
During its lifetime, the Candler
Oak has been a silent witness to the many changes in the area. In 1791, the
Georgia State Legislature granted five acres of land surrounding the mighty oak
to be used for the seaman’s hospital. After years of stress, the Candler
Oak was in serious decline with a life expectancy of less than twenty years. In
1982, the first preservation project of Savannah Tree Foundation (STF) was to
save this historic tree. The group made history by securing the first
conservation easement on a single tree in the nation. This 6,804 sq. ft.
easement was established in 1984 to protect the Candler Oak from loss to
development. Huntingdon II, Ltd. donated the easement to the STF so that the
tree could receive proper care in order to arrest its declining health. In 1985
the asphalt was removed from the root area to revive the tree and a
comprehensive schedule of maintenance, including soil tests, has been faithfully
followed. The tree is watered, mulched and fertilised as needed. Under the
watchful eye of the Savannah Tree Foundation, the tree has rebounded and could
continue to grace the city well into this century. In 2001 the Candler Oak was
designated a Georgia Landmark and Historic Tree by the Georgia Urban Forest
Council. In 2004 the tree was nominated to the National Register of Historic
Trees by American Forests.
We picked up the meaning to the saying “Sleep tight, don’t let
the bed bugs bite.” In the old days they used to fill pillows with Spanish moss. If the seams were not in perfect order the
chiggers that happily make the moss their home would march out in the dark and
have a good munch on the unaware sleeper. They also filled the seat cushions in
some of the major financial institutions, many were seen scratching vigorously
just as their wealth was lost on the Stock Exchange.
ALL IN ALL NEVER KNOW WHAT’S
NEXT
