In 1893, defying the Panic, the first hospital in Rock Hill was established by Dr. Frank Strait and Dr. Thomas A. Crawford.
YCGHS Magazine – March 1991
City Directories and History: 1908 – J.C. Helms, John C., wife Eliz. (Hasten Furniture Co.), 1909 to 1917 – W.H. Poag (Maude), 1922/23 – C.S. McCrory, 1925 – Wallace W. Scott, 1936 – Irene Starr, Sidney B. Sikes, 1963 – Social Security Administration Building
*** R&R.com has J.C. Helms as listed in the RH PO Ledger living @353 Railroad Ave., in 1914, and in 1915 living on East Black Street. Note he was Manager of the Hasten Furniture Co., on Main Street.
The Record contained an ad on Jan. 31, 1907 for the Hasten Furniture Co., J.C. Helms, Manager, offering Turkish rugs and carpets.
The Rock Hill Record of March 22, 1909 reported, “Mr. W.H. Poag and family are now occupying the home on Hampton Street recently purchased by him.”
The Herald on Dec. 10, 1918 reported Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Poag will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today at a family reunion at the old Poag Homestead near Mt. Holly.”
The McElwee Store journal of 1915 states that William H. Poag and wife Maude, (Supt. of Laundry at WU.), held an account at their downtown Rock Hill store.
“Next north to the Smith-Workman house was a cottage which at one time was a hospital operated by Dr. W. Frank Strait and Dr. T. A. Crawford. It was at this time that Mrs. Ernest Adams lived in this house and prepared meals and looked after patients of the Doctors Strait and Crawford. In later years Miss Irene Starr owned this house and lived there until her death at age ninety-five.” [Robbins – White Tour Booklet]
The Herald reported on April 4, 1925 – “The Frederick McFadden family had moved from their home on Hampton St., to the house on Walnut St., formerly occupied by R. F. Stanley and family, who in turn have moved to the Jones home on Marion Street. W.W. Scott will move into the home vacated by Frederick McFadden.”
Historically, this was the location of the small hospital owned and operated by Dr’s. Tom Crawford and William Frances Strait who each lived within close proximity of their small establishment.
Of Rock Hill’s First Hospital, we are told that it was housed in a small residence on Elm Street which was rented to Dr. Thomas A. Crawford and Dr. William Francis Strait, the latter being the first of his name in this city. The exact date of the opening of this hospital, or clinic, is unknown, but it was in the early 1890’s. Before this time Dr. Strait had performed a number of operations, the most daring of which was the removal of the appendix of a Negro boy who lived on Laurel Street. It was the first operation of its kind in the city and a kitchen table was used for the want of a better operating table. Dr. Strait’s associate, Dr. Thomas A. Crawford, had been practicing in Rock Hill since 1878. He continued until his death to be both a beloved physician and honored citizen.
(Information from: The City Without Cobwebs – Douglas S. Brown, 1953)
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