History with ‘Hud’: James Walker Memorial Hospital’s role before NHRMC arrived
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Patients in New Hanover County rely heavily on New Hanover Regional Medical Center for health care. But before that was an option, there was James Walker Memorial Hospital.
The structure was named after a Scottish builder, contractor and brick mason who traveled to the United States at age 12. He came to Wilmington in 1857 to supervise the construction of the United States Marine Hospital for his brother, John Walker, who was the contractor.
James Walker never married and amassed a large amount of money over his successful career. As a result, he donated nearly $30,000 of his own money to build a new hospital around the turn of the century, with the first bricks being laid on May 22, 1900. He supervised the construction, but unfortunately died on March 15, 1901, just 10 weeks before it was finished.
Upon completion, the James Walker Memorial Hospital was the largest hospital in southeastern North Carolina, containing 50 beds and separate wards for men and women. Following the events of the Wilmington Massacre a few years earlier, the hospital was heavily segregated, opening a separate ward for African Americans in 1904, but not allowing African American physicians.
The hospital’s school of nursing was one of the largest nursing schools in North Carolina. It offered women to be trained in the most recent medical advancements, tools and hands-on techniques.
A contagious ward was added in 1915 with a maternity and children’s ward also being built, with a horse-drawn ambulance helping bring in patients quickly from far and wide.
The hospital was vital for decades and continued to serve the area until New Hanover Regional Medical Center opened its doors in 1967.
The very first patients to the new hospital were several premature babies brought in by ambulance from James Walker. Their arrival marked an achievement in the civil rights movement in the area, as the babies were accepted to the hospital regardless of the race, sex, or even ability to pay for medical attention.
With a declining need for James Walker Memorial hospital, the majority of the buildings were torn down in the late 1960s. All that remained following demolition was a 1921, 4-story brick structure, which still houses people today.
The grounds were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. A park now stands on the grounds which were once used to treat those in need around the community.
Meteorologist Matthew Huddleston (‘Hud’) has always had two major loves – weather and history. While you can watch him talk about weather each morning on WWAY, he looks forward to bringing you a little piece of history each Thursday on WWAY’s website.
To read other History with ‘Hud’ segments, click HERE.
