Apalachicola in Franklin County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Dr. John Gorrie
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 6, 2019
1. Dr. John Gorrie Marker after restoration
Inscription.
Dr. John Gorrie (1803-1855) was an early pioneer in the invention of the artificial manufacture of ice, refrigeration, and air conditioning. He was granted the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration on May 6, 1851 (U.S. Patent No. 8080). Dr. Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in 1833 after the completion of his education at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York in Fairfield, New York. Motivated by a severe yellow fever epidemic in the summer of 1841, Dr. Gorrie and his predecessors felt the fever was caused by heat, humidity and decaying vegetation. He sought to effect a cure by introducing an element of cold in the form of refrigeration. Dr. Gorrie noted, "Nature would terminate the fevers by the changing of seasons." In May 1844, he constructed the refrigeration that received the patent. This mechanism produced ice in quantities but leakage and irregular performance impaired its operation. At various times he served as a physician of the Marine Hospital Service, Postmaster, President of the Apalachicola Branch Bank of Pensacola, Mayor, Secretary of the Masonic Lodge, and founding vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church. Dr. Gorrie was honored by the State of Florida with a statue of him placed in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.
Dr. John Gorrie (1803-1855) was an early pioneer in the invention of the artificial manufacture of ice, refrigeration, and air conditioning. He was granted the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration on May 6, 1851 (U.S. Patent No. 8080). Dr. Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in 1833 after the completion of his education at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York in Fairfield, New York. Motivated by a severe yellow fever epidemic in the summer of 1841, Dr. Gorrie and his predecessors felt the fever was caused by heat, humidity and decaying vegetation. He sought to effect a cure by introducing an element of cold in the form of refrigeration. Dr. Gorrie noted, "Nature would terminate the fevers by the changing of seasons." In May 1844, he constructed the refrigeration that received the patent. This mechanism produced ice in quantities but leakage and irregular performance impaired its operation. At various times he served as a physician of the Marine Hospital Service, Postmaster, President of the Apalachicola Branch Bank of Pensacola, Mayor, Secretary of the Masonic Lodge, and founding vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church. Dr. Gorrie was honored by the State of Florida with a statue of him placed in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.
Erected 1999 by Florida
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Heritage Landmark, John Gorrie State Museum And The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-413.)
Location. 29° 43.512′ N, 84° 59.124′ W. Marker is in Apalachicola, Florida, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of 6th Street and Avenue D, on the left when traveling south on 6th Street. Marker is located across the street from the John Gorrie State Museum at 46 Sixth Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Apalachicola FL 32320, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. John Gorrie State Museum in the background of the Dr. John Gorrie Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 6, 2019
4. Dr. John Gorrie Marker with Masonic tablet in background
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,700 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on August 7, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 4. submitted on August 7, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
