Church Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Chimborazo Hospital
Richmond National Battlefield Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 23, 2010
1. Chimborazo Hospital Marker
On this 40-acre plateau the Confederates built Chimborazo Hospital, one of the largest and best-known Civil War military hospitals: 78,000 sick and wounded Confederate soldiers passed through the hospital from 1861-1865. Chimborazos neat rows of buildings enhanced ventilation and served as a model for many postwar hospitals. None of Chimborazo's 150 wooden structures exists today.
The large building before you was constructed in 1909 as a Federal weather station. It houses the Chimborazo Medical Museum, which tells the story of both the Confederate medical service and the dozens of Richmonds other wartime hospitals.
The buildings were separated from each other by wide alleys or streets, ample spaces for drives or walks, and a wide street around entire camp or hospital. The hospital presented the appearance of a large town, imposing and attractive, with its alignments of buildings kept whitened with lime, streets and alleys clean, and with its situation on such an elevated point it commanded a grand, magnificent and pleasing view . Dr. John R. Gildersleeve
Erected 2010 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Confederate Hospital (a few steps from this marker); Richmond's Civil War Hospitals (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chimborazo Hospital (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Bloody Run (about 300 feet away); Emancipated Community at Chimborazo Hill (about 400 feet away); 3107 E. Broad Street (about 600 feet away); 3108 E. Broad Street (about 600 feet away); Strengthen the Arm of Liberty (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. The background photograph carries this caption, "This 1865 image is one of only two known photographs of Chimborazo Hospital. This site was named for Mount Chimborazo, a dormant volcano in Ecuador."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Confederate Hospital".
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 23, 2010
2. Chimborazo Visitor Center
Also see . . .
1. Chimborazo Hospital. Richmond National Battlefield Park (Submitted on August 23, 2010.)
2. Information about Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, VA during the Civil War. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on August 23, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,680 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
