Houston Negro Hospital

The Houston Negro Hospital holds a particularly significant place in the history of both the black community and the medical community in Houston. It was the first non-profit hospital for black patients in Houston, and it provided a place for well-trained black physicians to work, who were not allowed to admit patients to the black wards of Houston's other hospitals. In addition, the nursing school, which was established soon after the hospital was built, was the first such educational institution for the training of black nurses in the city. It's building, located on the same block, is also being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The efforts of several prominent Houstonians, both black and white, made possible the construction of the hospital. The idea was first developed and supported by members of the black community, notably I.M. Terrell, the hospital's first administrator, and several black physicians among whom are Drs. B. J. Covington, Rupert 0. Roett, and H. E. Lee. The City of Houston, as recommended by its mayor, donated both the land and the furnishings while a wealthy oilman, J. S. Cullinan, built the hospital building in memory of his son, John Halm Cullinan.

Prior to the opening of the Houston Negro Hospital in 1926, the black community of Houston had access to only a bare minimum the way of healthcare facilities. Charity hospitals before 1919 provided beds for black patients on segregated wards, but the number of beds was inadequate. And black physicians did not have to admit- ting privileges. Only the sickest patients were accepted, and no institution existed in the city where black people of means could receive dignified, private care. The establishment of the Union Hospital in 1919 was the first step in fulfilling the need for a hospital that catered to the black community. The Union Hospital was successful but was very small in scope, as it advertised itself as a "modern hospital of fifty beds." In the mid-1920s, the Union Hospital superintendent, Isaiah M. Terrell, approached several white Houston philanthropists about the possibility of establishing a new, better-equipped hospital complex for the black community. After negotiations with the city to donate the site for a new hospital, the founder of the Texas Company (Texaco), J. S. Cullinan, pledged $75,000 for the construction of the new facility and hired Maurice J. Sullivan as the architect. Sullivan was commissioned to design the new hospital, as well as to develop a master plan for the site which was to include a nursing school, landscaped grounds, and provisions for expansion.

The dedication of the Houston Negro Hospital was scheduled for June 19, 1926, a major Texas holiday known as Juneteenth, commemorating the day emancipation was put into effect in Texas. Although construction was not completed, the dedication went as planned. During the ceremony, the hospital's benefactor, J. S. Cullinan, was revealed to the public for the first time. A bronze tablet cast by the Tiffany Company was unveiled; it stated that the building was erected "in memory of Lieutenant John Halm Cullinan," J. S. Cullinan's son, who died at the age of 36 after serving in France during World War I. The hospital was "dedicated to the American Negro to promote self-help, to inspire good citizenship, and for the relief of suffering, sickness, and disease among them." The hospital officially opened in July 1926.

The style of architecture chosen by Sullivan was that with which he was most facile. Sullivan practiced in Houston during the first half of this century and was a well-known architect who specialized in institutional buildings. Born in Michigan in 1884, he was trained as an engineer at the University of Michigan and, upon graduation, came to Houston as the City Architect. In 1919 he established his own firm. The Villa De Matel (1923-28) is one of his most significant architectural accomplishments. Sullivan also designed St. Anne's Catholic Church and School (1928-1953), Holy Rosary Church (1932-33), St. Mary's Church, St.Mary's Hospital in Port Arthur, and the nurses' home for St. Joseph's Infirmary. Sullivan died in 1961, the year the new wing of Houston Negro Hospital was completed. His son, Charles Sullivan, was likely the main one responsible for designing this expansion.

Unique in its operation procedures, the hospital was founded especially for those "who were not entitled to, and did not desire, free hospitalization." Hospital memberships were sold for six dollars per family per year. This may have been the first prepaid system of medical care in the region. Although it was not obligatory to be a member to receive care, members received free hospitalization for a limited number of days. This "insurance" was discontinued in 1938 because it was financially unsound.

At the outset, the entire staff was black, and only black physicians practiced there. Two of the most prominent and most respected early doctors were Benjamin J. Covington and Rubert 0. Roett, who both graduated from Meharry Medical College. Both men were involved in many community projects and were instrumental in founding the Houston Negro Hospital. The first Board of Directors was made up of local black business leaders.

The early years of the hospital were not as successful as the founder had hoped. Few patients came during the first year. Several changes were implemented to improve the facilities, including the equipping of an X-ray department and a laboratory. In 1929 the average number of patients per day was eight. The nursing school opened in 1931 but had to close just a few years later, not for lack of students, but for lack of patients in the hospital. Financial problems plagued all institutions during the early 1930s, and the Houston Negro Hospital was no exception. A political move to close the hospital in 1934 was thwarted by community members determined to make the hospital work. Their efforts paid off, and by 1937 occupancy was up to 46 percent of capacity. Community Chest funds were made available, and this allowed the hospital to run on a sounder footing. The hospital also received a $524,000 trust for maintenance when Cullinan died in 1937. In 1949 several changes were made in the physical plan to meet the need for more beds and office space and to correct conditions to meet new fire codes. Maurice J. Sullivan supervised redecorating, making of structural changes, and the installation of air conditioning. Remodeling was completed in 1952.

In 1957 a commission was announced to plan a new wing of the hospital and to apply for Hill-Burton Funds to match those that the hospital had inherited. Maurice Sullivan and his son Charles designed the new wing, which is a two-unit, one-story facility that contains 70 additional beds. The expansion program cost $1,235,000. When the addition was completed, the name of the institution was changed to Riverside General Hospital. The 1961 portion of the hospital is not included in the nomination.

The Riverside General Hospital Board is now, in 1982, planning another revitalization program to meet the needs of its community. Included in this effort will be the restoration of the Houston Negro Hospital building, referred to now as the Cullinan Building, for use as outpatient clinics.