Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Fort Missoula Post Hospital
As the Fort continued to grow, it was clear the hospital also needs to be updated. In 1911, this Mission-style building was completed. Following the Surgeon General's recommendations for a regimental post, it included two patient wings, each with a capacity of 30 patients. The annex also included quarters in the rear of the building for hospital corps privates and non-commissioned officers.
The hospital staff witnessed many outbreaks of disease, including the Spanish influenza in 1918, an epidemic of polio in 1934 and 1935, and the mumps in early 1936.
For the Alien Detention Camps, the INS required specific buildings to be accessible before detainees arrived at the Fort. When Nick Collaer arrived in 1941, re-building and updating the post hospital that recently had been damaged by fire, was one of his priorities. Surrounded by a 10 foot fence, the post hospital became the medical and dental center for the camp.
On a daily basis the hospital saw its share of routine medical calls. Many doctor's noticed an increase in sick calls the longer detainees were held and as the men became less content with their lives behind the fences of the Fort. Many of the detainees were diagnosed with simple boredom or homesickness.
Today, the post hospital is home to the Western Montana Mental Health Centre.
Erected by Historical Museum at Fort Missoula (HMFM).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Science & Medicine.
Location. 46° 50.43′ N, 114° 3.534′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. Marker is on A Road (Lt. Moss Road) near D Road (Moe Place), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Missoula MT 59804, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Missoula Recreation Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1877 Fort Missoula Officers' Club (about 300 feet away); Parade Grounds (about 400 feet away); Post Headquarters (about 500 feet away); Fort Missoula Post Headquarters (T-2) Building (about 500 feet away); Fort Missoula 1910 Era Barrack Buildings (about 500 feet away); T-1 Post Headquarters (about 500 feet away); Fort Missoula Post Headquarters (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missoula.
More about this marker. Street names inside Fort Missoula are a problem. Most maps, Google, etc. only name the roads as F Road, H Road, etc. while the street signs have more conventional names. Both name will be given where possible.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 14, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.