Brownsville in Cameron County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Post Hospital

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

1. Post Hospital Marker

Inscription. In March 1868, Captain William Alonzo Wainwright arrived in Brownsville to supervise the rebuilding of Fort Brown following the Civil War and an 1867 hurricane. One of the first structures built under his direction was the Post Hospital, completed in 1869 and noted for its classical design and Palladian influences. First Lt. William C. Gorgas began studies that led to the discovery of the source of yellow fever while he was based here in 1883. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962

Erected 1962 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4086.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1868.

Location. 25° 53.91′ N, 97° 29.548′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. Marker is on May Street, 0.1 miles south of Taylor Avenue, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located on the west wall of the Texas Southmost College-Gorgas building on the campus of Texas Southmost College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 60 May St, Brownsville TX 78520, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Post Hospital / Hospital Militar (a few steps from this marker); Post Hospital Annex (a few steps from

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker); a different marker also named Post Hospital Annex (a few steps from this marker); Commandant's Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Post Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); William Crawford Gorgas (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Brown Reservation (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

More about this marker. The historic Fort Brown buildings are located around the campus of the Texas Southmost College and they are currently used with the college.

Regarding Post Hospital. There is a duplicate of the marker on the north entrance to the building.

Also see . . . Fort Brown. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Fort Brown, originally called Fort Texas, was established when Zachary Taylor and the United States forces of occupation arrived on the
Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

2. The Post Hospital Marker on the hospital building
Rio Grande on March 26, 1846, to establish the river as the southern boundary of Texas. In April 1846 Taylor built an earthen fort of 800 yards perimeter, with six bastions, walls more than nine feet high, a parapet of fifteen feet, and the whole surrounded by a ditch fifteen feet deep and twenty feet wide. Armament was four eighteen-pound guns. The Seventh Infantry, with Company I of the Second Artillery and Company E, Third Artillery, commanded by Maj. Jacob Brown, garrisoned the fort. Mexican troops led by Mariano Arista intercepted United States troops as they brought supplies from Fort Polk at Point Isabel to Fort Brown, leading to the opening battles of the war, Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, fought on May 8 and 9, 1846. On May 9 Major Brown died from injuries received during the bombardment of the fort by Mexican forces in Matamoros. Shortly after his death he was buried within the fortifications, and the post was named in his honor.

(Submitted on May 12, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the front of the Post Hospital image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, April 19, 2023

3. The view of the front of the Post Hospital

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 12, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.