Tuskegee in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Tuskegee Veterans Administration Hospital
After WWI, African American veterans found it difficult to secure proper treatment in segregated hospitals, especially in the South. Despite violent threats, the second Tuskegee University president, Robert R. Moton; John Andrew Hospital director, John Kenney; African American media; and others convinced the Veterans Bureau to approve an African American staffed hospital. President Calvin Coolidge ordered it.
The Tuskegee VA Hospital held rank with the four leading Veterans Bureau hospitals. By 1930, there were 52 permanent buildings and 97 professional staff providing treatment in all branches of medicine/surgery and ancillary services such as clinical laboratories, roentgenology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and a medical library.
The Tuskegee VA continued to be staffed by African Americans until full integration at veteran hospitals. It was listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on April 14, 1992.
Erected by the Alabama Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Landmarks • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission, the Former U.S. Presidents: #30 Calvin Coolidge, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1992.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 32° 26.508′ N, 85° 42.648′ W. Marker was in Tuskegee, Alabama, in Macon County. Marker was on Hospital Road, 1.4 miles north of East Water Street (Route 81), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located before the entrance and security gate at the VA Medical Center-Tuskegee. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2400 Hospital Road, Tuskegee AL 36083, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Carver's Laboratory (approx. 0.6 miles away); Tuskegee University (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Tuskegee Airmen's Plaza (approx. 0.7 miles away); Enhancing Health Care (approx. ¾ mile away); George Washington Carver (approx. 0.8 miles away); Thomas Monroe Campbell (approx. 0.8 miles away); Amelia Boynton Robinson (approx. 0.8 miles away); Tuskegee Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away).
Regarding The Tuskegee Veterans Administration Hospital. Due to government guidelines and patient privacy laws, NO photography or videography is allowed within the confines of the VA Medical Center-Tuskegee campus. Visitors must notify security if you continue onto the security gate.
Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Tuskegee Veterans Administration Medical Center. (Submitted on March 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,495 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on June 29, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.