- City:
- South Charleston, WV
- Site Type:
- Hospitals and Clinics, Education and Health
- New Deal Agencies:
- Public Works Funding, Federal Works Agency (FWA)
- Completed:
- 1945
- Designers:
- H. C. Cowl, Herbert S. Kyle, M. C. Catlette
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Marked:
- Yes
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The Federal Works Agency built the Herbert J. Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston. Like most functioning hospitals, Thomas Memorial Hospital has grown since its original construction, eliminating much of the original design and materials. The footprint of the building can be seen in a 1958 topographic map as an H shape, later morphing and expanding to cover much of the property, including altering some side streets. The main entrance ramp is in a new part of the building. A historical plaque notes the role of the New Deal in the creation of the hospital.
The hospital is named after Herbert Joseph Thomas who was joined the Army Air Corps then transferred to the Marines. He was killed in WWII by throwing himself on a grenade that he threw and bounced back to his area. In doing so he was killed but saved the men with him. Herbert J. Thomas was posthumously awareded the Medal of Honor.
Source notes
Plaque, Hospital Lobby,
Charleston Daily Mail
Thomas, Herbert Joseph: (https://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/3017/thomas-herbert-joseph.php), accessed November 25, 2017.
Site originally submitted by Ernest Everett Blevins on November 26, 2017.
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