Saint Joseph in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Red Cross Hospital
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020
1. Red Cross Hospital Marker (Side A)
In 1899, because black physicians were barred from treating patients at public or church hospitals, Drs. W. T. Merchant, Ellis D. Whedbee and R. B. Scott founded Red Cross Hospital at Sixth & Walnut Street. In 1905, it moved to 1436 S. Shelby St. and offered training programs for black nurses and physicians.
Mary E. Merritt - first female and black nurse registered in Ky. was superintendent and head nurse until 1945. Blacks in Ky. cities that did not provide hospital facilities were treated here. In early 1960s, local hospitals desegregated, increased operating costs led to its decline. Closed in 1976 as Community Hospital.
Erected 2018 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2534.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 38° 13.625′ N, 85° 44.512′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Saint Joseph. Marker is at the intersection of South Shelby Street and Lydia Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Louisville Cotton Mill / Germantown Mill Lofts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Off Shelby / Shelby St. Streetcar Barn (approx. ¼ mile away); Schnitzelburg / Dainty (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Vincent de Paul Parish / D.X. Murphy (1853-1933) (approx. 0.4 miles away); Shelby Park Neighborhood / Shelby Park Branch Library (approx. half a mile away); St. Matthew Church / Act of Compassion (approx. 0.6 miles away); Heroism at Little Big Horn / Saddler Sergeant Otto Voit (approx. 0.6 miles away); Society of St. Vincent de Paul / Open Hand Kitchen (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020
2. Red Cross Hospital Marker (Side B)
via Kentucky's Historic Institutions, 1920
3. Red Cross Hospital in 1920
Kentucky's Historic Institutions
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020
4. Red Cross Hospital Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020
5. Former Red Cross Hospital
View from across Shelby Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on February 9, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
