Abercrombie in Richland County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Hospital

Photographed by Connor Olson, June 14, 2021

1. Hospital Marker

Inscription. Fort Abercrombie's second hospital was built in 1867. It replaced the hospital building that sat on the north side of the fort. Assistant Surgeon W.H. Gardner described this new hospital as a two-story frame building with clapboard siding.

In 1870, the building was modified slightly with the addition of a front porch. The image below is a detail from an 1875 sketch that shows Fort Abercrombie's hospital. You are facing the hospital's front porch.

Behind the hospital was the bathroom. The military term for bathroom at this time was a "sink."

Hospital Steward

The hospital steward was a non-commissioned officer assigned to the fort's hospital. His job was to assist the surgeon in caring for the hospital's patients as well as to oversee hospital property, including medicines.

The hospital steward is shown in his dress uniform. Notice the emerald green half-chevron on the sleeve of his uniform. On this half-chevron was the caduceus, a winged staff with two serpents, the symbol for the Medical Department.

Erected by State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 46° 26.641′ N, 96° 43.127′ W. Marker is in Abercrombie, North Dakota, in Richland County. It can be reached from Broadway North (County Road 4) near Abercrombie Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 935 Broadway N, Abercrombie ND 58001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Red River Valley

and in Greater Fargo Area.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Laundresses Quarters (a few steps from this marker); Magazine (a few steps from this marker); Surgeon’s & Chaplain’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Sutler / Post Trader (within shouting distance of this marker);

Hospital Marker and Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, June 14, 2021

2. Hospital Marker and Site

Fort Abercrombie (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Headquarters (about 400 feet away); Guardhouse (about 400 feet away); Barracks (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abercrombie.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.