Established in 1938 as Denmar Sanitarium for the tuberculotic colored people, it became the Denmar State Hospital in 1957 by an act of the Legislature for the chronically ill. Situtated at 2,200 feet above sea level, it overlooks the Greenbrier River.
History
Situtated at 2,200 feet above sea level, this former institution overlooks the Greenbrier River.(1) In 1917, the West Virginia Legislature created the State Colored Tuberculosis Sanitarium (2) and purchased 185 acres of land and buildings from the Maryland Lumber Company to the West Virginia Board of Control. The new hospital, dedicated to African-Americans of West Virginian descent who had tuberculosis, an often fatal disease, were eligible for admission provided that they could pay for their care.
“The reasonable expenses of poor persons admitted at the request of the authorities of any municipal corporation or county, shall be paid by such municipal corporation or county.”(2)
–1918 West Virginia Legislative Hand Book
The sanitarium admitted its first patients on January 31, 1919.(2)
In 1937, the West Virginia Legislature appropriated funds for a new hospital structure, which was completed in 1939.(2) In 1957, the facility was desegregated by an act of the legislature. It also became known as the Denmar State Hospital for the chronically ill as the threat of tuberculosis had diminished extensively due to improved medicines and treatments.(1) Pinecrest Sanitarium in Beckley took in the remaining tuberculosis patients.
The hospital closed in 1990.(1) Three years later, the Pocahontas County Commission deeded the land to the West Virginia Division of Corrections for conversion into a state correctional facility. It was expanded in 1998 when work began on a new multi-purpose building and a correctional industries/vocational structure. A new roof was installed on the Greenbrier Birthing Center. All of these projects were completed in 2000.
Gallery
Sources
- “DCC.” Denmar Correctional Center. West Virginia Division of Corrections. 25 Apr. 2006 Article.
- “Deaths at the West Virginia Colored Tuberculosis Sanitarium at Denmar.” West Virginia History 56 (1997): 88-121.
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