Plains in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Wise Sanitarium

1921-1936

Photographed by David Seibert, January 24, 2011

1. Wise Sanitarium Marker

Inscription. Built in 1921 by Doctors Samuel, Thaddeus, and Bowman Wise, sons of Dr. Burr T. and Laura Addy Wise, early settlers of Plains, this innovative hospital was known as “the Mayo Clinic of the South”. Originally opening above Plains Pharmacy in 1912 with 15 beds, it moved to the second floor of the A. C. Wellons building on Main Street in 1917 with 20 beds. In 1921, this building was built with 60 beds, an operating room, and an X-Ray room with radium treatment capability. Black patients were treated in a separate building to the rear of the main building. It was one of the first small hospitals in the state to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical and Hospital Association and also served as an accredited training school for nurses. It was here that Lillian Gordy Carter received her nurse training. Jimmy Carter, son of Earl and Lillian Carter, was born here on October 1, 1924. He was the first President of the United States to be born in a hospital.

On January 21, 1936 a fire damaged this building. Dr. Sam and Dr. Thad relocated their practice to Americus and Dr. Bowman

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opened an office in Plains.

Erected by Plains Historical Preservation Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #39 James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1888.

Location. 32° 2.269′ N, 84° 23.433′ W. Marker is in Plains, Georgia, in Sumter County. It is on Hospital Street 0.1 miles west of Church Street (U.S. 280), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 Hospital Street, Plains GA 31780, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in 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

Photographed by David Seibert, January 24, 2011

2. Wise Sanitarium Marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Baby Row (approx. 0.2 miles away); Friendship Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Plains High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carter Warehouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Billy Carter Service Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Days (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Carter Peanut Warehouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Williams Warehouse (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plains.

Regarding Wise Sanitarium. Today the Sanitarium is the Lillian Carter Rehabilitation Center.

Photographed by David Seibert, January 24, 2011

3. Wise Sanitarium Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,850 times since then and 145 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 8, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.