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.
Wise Sanitarium. 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 opened an office in Plains.
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 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
Location. 32° 2.269′ N, 84° 23.433′ W. Marker is in Plains, Georgia, in Sumter County. Marker 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.
Regarding Wise Sanitarium. Today the Sanitarium is the Lillian Carter Rehabilitation Center.
Photographed By David Seibert, January 24, 2011
2. Wise Sanitarium Marker
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 1,409 times since then and 79 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.
