Lake Balboa in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Birmingham Army Hospital
Van Nuys, California
| | Birmingham High School | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
1. Birmingham Army Hospital Marker
On this site of Birmingham Hospital, 1943-1950, Veterans returning from World War II were given renewed confidence and hope by the dedicated personnel who cared for them. Their legacy of pride and courage remains here as an incentive for all who now share these grounds.
Erected 1980 by Birmingham High School.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Military • Science & Medicine • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.
Location. 34° 11.345′ N, 118° 30.328′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Lake Balboa. It can be reached from Haynes Street 0.2 miles west of Balboa Boulevard, on the left when traveling west. Located on the campus of Birmingham High School, at the flagpole near the school office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17000 Haynes St, Van Nuys CA 91406, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley the San Fernando Valley and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Encino Velodrome (approx. 0.6 miles away); United States Armed Forces (approx. 0.9 miles away); Van Nuys Airport (approx. 1.2 miles away); Seρor de Luren (approx. 1.6 miles away); Encino Oak Tree (approx.
this page online
Regarding Birmingham Army Hospital. Built in a rush during World War II, the hospital received wounded GIs via railroad cars from the hospital ships arriving in Long Beach. Named for General Patrick Birmingham, a doctor who had served in the U.S.Army for 37 years, the hospital had 1777 beds housed in single-story buildings over the 131-acre campus. A specialty was care for Vets who were quadriplegic and paraplegic. In 1950, Marlon Brando and Jack Webb portrayed paraplegic war veterans in the movie The Men, filmed at Birmingham Hospital. Later that year, the hospital closed. In 1953 this became a high school, and todays 53-acre campus is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Also see . . . Birmingham Hospital - Wikipedia page. (Submitted on February 15, 2022.)
Additional commentary.
1. BHS Class of 78
I graduated from BHS in 1978, two years after seeing new school
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
2. Birmingham Army Hospital Marker
— Submitted February 15, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
3. Bungalows
Original hospital buildings at todays school district offices next door to Birmingham High School.
courtesy U.S. Army, 1945
4. Birmingham Army Hospital - 1945
Balboa Blvd, and the Chapel, are at far left.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
5. Birmingham Pool
Originally part of the hospital, it was used for rehabilitation.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
6. Old Gym
Originally part of the hospital, it was used for patients who needed active exercise.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
7. Original Chapel Building
It became the drama classroom in 1953. Now part of Daniel Pearl Magnet School next door to Birmingham High.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
8. Performing Arts Center
Built in 1976 as part of the modernization of Birmingham High School. In 2010 it was named for former student Sally Field - class of 1964.
Photographed by Craig Baker, February 14, 2022
9. Birmingham Stadium
Built using private funds in 1965 by Dennis Weaver and Dick Van Dyke, who had children attending Birmingham High.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 3,610 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 15, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
