Main Post in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Old Post Hospital
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 26, 2015
1. Old Post Hospital Marker
Inscription.
Old Post Hospital. . From 1864 until 1899 this building served as the Presidio's principal medical facility.
This hospital originally consisted of a kitchen, ten rooms holding about 50 beds, and a morgue. It was later expanded to include a surgical wing and a biological laboratory - both housed in the octagonal addition on the right of the building.
Overwhelmed by sick and wounded troops during the Spanish-American War, the Presidio's main hospital moved a few hundred yards to the east to what would become known as Letterman General Hospital in 1899. The old Post Hospital continued to serve as an outpatient clinic and dispensary until the early 1970s, when it was converted to a museum. ,
From 1864 until 1899 this building served
as the Presidio's principal medical facility.
This hospital originally consisted of a
kitchen, ten rooms holding about 50 beds,
and a morgue. It was later expanded to
include a surgical wing and a biological
laboratory - both housed in the octagonal
addition on the right of the building.
Overwhelmed by sick and wounded
troops during the Spanish-American War,
the Presidio's main hospital moved a few
hundred yards to the east to what would
become known as Letterman General
Hospital in 1899. The old Post Hospital
continued to serve as an outpatient clinic
and dispensary until the early 1970s,
when it was converted to a museum.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 48.024′ N, 122° 27.301′ W. Marker was in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It was in Main Post. Marker was on Funston Avenue south of Lincoln Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94129, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 26, 2015
2. Old Post Hospital and Marker
The marker is visible here in front of the hospital, with the Old Station marker also visible behind it, mounted to the building.
San Francisco Examiner Library (courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey)
3. Post Hospital
"Significance: In 1864, in the midst of the Civil War, the Wright Army Hospital was built to replace an earlier, deteriorating structure. The elegant, southern style architecture was subdued by the urgency of the hospital's function through the wars. With a steady growth in hospital use, additions such as the west wing of 1889, the porch addition and the octagon of 1897 were established. Later, the structure served as a secondary hospital as the Army General Hospital was built. Through the Korean War, the Presidio of San Francisco and the Wright Army Hospital served as an "outback" station for the United States Army. In 1973, the hospital was converted into the Presidio Army Museum after its use as a hospital declined and the need to remember our heroes grew." Historic American Buildings Survey
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 215 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
