Welch in McDowell County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Welch Emergency Hospital

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

1. Welch Emergency Hospital Marker

Inscription. This is a State institution. It was founded in 1900 and has been maintained as a general hospital for treatment of charity and semi-charity medical and surgical cases.

Erected by Commission on Historic and Scenic Highway Markers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 37° 26.321′ N, 81° 35.353′ W. Marker is in Welch, West Virginia, in McDowell County. Marker is at the intersection of Stewart St (West Virginia Route 16) and Davy Street (County Route 7), on the left when traveling west on Stewart St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 454 McDowell St, Welch WV 24801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. City of Welch Mural (approx. 0.4 miles away); Heartland Corridor Project (approx. 0.4 miles away); Welch History (approx. 0.4 miles away); Martha H. Moore Parkway (approx. 0.4 miles away); Marthan H. Moore Riverfront Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); McDowell County Courthouse / Sid Hatfield (approx. half a mile away); Welch

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(approx. half a mile away); McDowell County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Welch.

Also see . . . Welch Community Hospital History.

Welch Community Hospital, the only State-funded acute care facility in West Virginia, is the only hospital in McDowell County. The hospital originated as a result of 1899 legislation that required the building of State hospitals for people engaged in dangerous occupations, particularly coal mining. Miners Hospital No. One opened in Welch on January 28, 1902. Miners Hospitals also were built at Fairmont, West Virginia and McKendree, West Virginia. Dr. Henry Hatfield, a future governor, was a coal camp physician who helped secure funding for the Miners Hospitals and served on the Board of Directors of the Welch facility. A nursing school was established in 1914 at the Welch location and operated until 1944.

From its start as Miners Hospital No. One, the name changed to Welch Hospital No. One in 1912, to Welch Emergency Hospital by 1931, and to Welch Community Hospital in 2000. Today, the facility employs about 300 people.

The hospital is located on three acres within the town of Welch. The land was donated to the State in 1899 by J. J. Sperry specifically for the purpose of building a hospital. A $12
Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

2. Welch Emergency Hospital Marker
million renovation was completed in 1984. Medical services include surgery, obstetrics, intensive care, and an Emergency Department.

(Submitted on August 2, 2021.)

Welch Emergency Hospital image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

3. Welch Emergency Hospital

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.