Chelsea Naval Hospital
Encyclopedia
Chelsea Naval Hospital was a hospital in Chelsea, Massachusetts
. With the closure of the nearby Boston Navy Yard
, the hospital closed in 1974.
in Chelsea, MA, it is 112 feet (34.1 m) above sea level. The original building was built of Vermont granite. The hospital was a three story building with a 100 bed capacity. A wing was added on the west side of the building in 1865. In 1915, a new hospital building was constructed further up the hill. The old building was converted to quarters for hospital personnel.
It was one of the first three hospitals authorized by Congress specifically to accommodate naval personnel. Previously, naval personnel received treatment at hospitals operated by the Department of the Treasury for all mariners, naval and merchant. The hospital was originally called "Naval Hospital at Charlestown (Chelsea Site)" then "Naval Hospital Chelsea," and finally "Naval Hospital Boston,". The hospital served naval personnel and others during the American Civil War
, Spanish-American War
, World War I
and World War II
.
In 1970, a plaque in remembrance of Medal of Honor
recipient Wayne Maurice Caron
, a hospital corpsman, was placed on the grounds of the hospital.
In 1973, the hospital and the surrounding grounds were added to the Naval Hospital Boston Historic District
.
At the time the hospital was decommissioned in 1974, it was the oldest naval hospital in continuous service in the United States and consisted of 88 acres (356,123.7 m²) of land on the Mystic River. Notable patients during the hospital's history include Presidents John Quincy Adams
(after his presidency) and John F. Kennedy
(before his presidency).
After the hospital closed, the property was turned over to the City of Chelsea for redevelopment as "Admirals Hill". The original hospital buildings were converted into condominiums while adjacent land was dotted with single family townhouses and high rise apartment complexes. Still extant are the perimeter wall and guard shack, pier, chapel, ordnance buildings, nurses' quarters, and the Captain's House. In addition to the redevelopment of the housing and hospital portion of the property, several acres on the Mystic River were taken over by the Metropolitan District Commission for Mary O'Malley Park.
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. It is the smallest city in Massachusetts in land area, and the 26th most densely populated incorporated place in the country.-History:...
. With the closure of the nearby Boston Navy Yard
Boston Navy Yard
The Boston Navy Yard, originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard and later Boston Naval Shipyard, was one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States Navy. Established in 1801, it was officially closed as an active naval installation on July 1, 1974, and the property was...
, the hospital closed in 1974.
History
On January 7, 1836 the Chelsea Naval Hospital was completed and commissioned. Located on a hill on the banks of the Mystic RiverMystic River
The Mystic River is a river in Massachusetts, in the United States. Its name derives from the Wampanoag word "muhs-uhtuq", which translates to "big river." In an Algonquian language, "Missi-Tuk" means "a great river whose waters are driven by waves", alluding to the natural tidal nature of the...
in Chelsea, MA, it is 112 feet (34.1 m) above sea level. The original building was built of Vermont granite. The hospital was a three story building with a 100 bed capacity. A wing was added on the west side of the building in 1865. In 1915, a new hospital building was constructed further up the hill. The old building was converted to quarters for hospital personnel.
It was one of the first three hospitals authorized by Congress specifically to accommodate naval personnel. Previously, naval personnel received treatment at hospitals operated by the Department of the Treasury for all mariners, naval and merchant. The hospital was originally called "Naval Hospital at Charlestown (Chelsea Site)" then "Naval Hospital Chelsea," and finally "Naval Hospital Boston,". The hospital served naval personnel and others during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1970, a plaque in remembrance of Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient Wayne Maurice Caron
Wayne Maurice Caron
Wayne Maurice Caron was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
, a hospital corpsman, was placed on the grounds of the hospital.
In 1973, the hospital and the surrounding grounds were added to the Naval Hospital Boston Historic District
Naval Hospital Boston Historic District
Naval Hospital Boston Historic District is a historic district at the south end of Broadway in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The district encompasses the area around the former Chelsea Naval Hospital....
.
At the time the hospital was decommissioned in 1974, it was the oldest naval hospital in continuous service in the United States and consisted of 88 acres (356,123.7 m²) of land on the Mystic River. Notable patients during the hospital's history include Presidents John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
(after his presidency) and John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
(before his presidency).
After the hospital closed, the property was turned over to the City of Chelsea for redevelopment as "Admirals Hill". The original hospital buildings were converted into condominiums while adjacent land was dotted with single family townhouses and high rise apartment complexes. Still extant are the perimeter wall and guard shack, pier, chapel, ordnance buildings, nurses' quarters, and the Captain's House. In addition to the redevelopment of the housing and hospital portion of the property, several acres on the Mystic River were taken over by the Metropolitan District Commission for Mary O'Malley Park.
External links
- http://www.olgp.net/chs/hospital/naval.htm
- http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/nav.htm