Terral, Dr.,Clinic
a.k.a. Dr. Francis Clinic
107 N Washington St., Farmerville, LALocated in the parish seat of the extensively rural Union Parish, the Dr. Terral Clinic is significant in the area of health and medicine because its initial operation as a clinic/hospital in 1948 represented a substantial improvement in health care facilities in Union Parish.
Although the building being considered for the National Register was used as a healthcare-related facility from the time of its 1926 construction (having originally been used as medical offices), it was not until July 1, 1948, that Dr. William C. Terral opened his clinic-hospital facility-the day after his graduation from medical school. Until that time, there had been no facility for major medical care located in Union Parish. A 1941 report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that while Union Parish had seven doctors to serve its approximate population of 20,000, there were no surgeons, hospitals, or clinics in the parish. In order to receive extensive medical care, citizens were required to travel to either Monroe, Ruston, or Shreveport, Louisiana, or El Dorado, Arkansas-a minimum distance of more than 25 miles by rural roads.
Dr. Terral's predecessor at the facility (and the man who commissioned the building), Dr. Charles C. Francis, had planned to convert his medical office building into a full hospital but instead sold the building and renovation plans to Dr. Terral. Physicians' offices, the primary clinic, and laboratory and X-ray facilities were located on the first floor, with the operating and recovery rooms and additional offices at the second floor Dr. Terral has indicated that the demand for medical care allowed his practice to flourish immediately-he offered many medical services for the first time in Union Parish. Neither X-ray nor medical laboratory services had been located in Union Parish prior to the opening of his practice. More importantly, citizens were able to undergo routine surgical procedures such as appendectomies and give birth in a hospital setting.
At the onset of his practice, working 12-14 hours per day, seven days per week, Dr. Terral provided care to the citizens of Union Parish with the assistance of one nurse. Clearly, the need for adequate health care in Union Parish was recognized by the mid1950s, Farmerville would boast the planning of a new clinic-hospital and the town of Marion had a hospital facility as well.
Although a 1926 news article suggests that an operating room was constructed on the residential property of another doctor in Farmerville, there is no evidence to indicate that this facility remained in operation for any time at all or, indeed, if the office was ever opened. If it did in fact open, it no longer existed as of the 1941 publication of the above-referenced report, which listed no hospitals or clinics in the parish.
The former clinic/hospital is currently used as office space, a traditional use that the current owner intends to continue.
Local significance of the building:
Although the building being considered for the National Register was used as a healthcare-related facility from the time of its 1926 construction (having originally been used as medical offices), it was not until July 1, 1948, that Dr. William C. Terral opened his clinic-hospital facility-the day after his graduation from medical school. Until that time, there had been no facility for major medical care located in Union Parish. A 1941 report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that while Union Parish had seven doctors to serve its approximate population of 20,000, there were no surgeons, hospitals, or clinics in the parish. In order to receive extensive medical care, citizens were required to travel to either Monroe, Ruston, or Shreveport, Louisiana, or El Dorado, Arkansas-a minimum distance of more than 25 miles by rural roads.
Dr. Terral's predecessor at the facility (and the man who commissioned the building), Dr. Charles C. Francis, had planned to convert his medical office building into a full hospital but instead sold the building and renovation plans to Dr. Terral. Physicians' offices, the primary clinic, and laboratory and X-ray facilities were located on the first floor, with the operating and recovery rooms and additional offices at the second floor Dr. Terral has indicated that the demand for medical care allowed his practice to flourish immediately-he offered many medical services for the first time in Union Parish. Neither X-ray nor medical laboratory services had been located in Union Parish prior to the opening of his practice. More importantly, citizens were able to undergo routine surgical procedures such as appendectomies and give birth in a hospital setting.
At the onset of his practice, working 12-14 hours per day, seven days per week, Dr. Terral provided care to the citizens of Union Parish with the assistance of one nurse. Clearly, the need for adequate health care in Union Parish was recognized by the mid1950s, Farmerville would boast the planning of a new clinic-hospital and the town of Marion had a hospital facility as well.
Although a 1926 news article suggests that an operating room was constructed on the residential property of another doctor in Farmerville, there is no evidence to indicate that this facility remained in operation for any time at all or, indeed, if the office was ever opened. If it did in fact open, it no longer existed as of the 1941 publication of the above-referenced report, which listed no hospitals or clinics in the parish.
The former clinic/hospital is currently used as office space, a traditional use that the current owner intends to continue.
Health/medicine
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The Battle of New Orleans, fought on January 8, 1815, was one of the last battles of the War of 1812. It was a decisive victory for the United States, despite the fact that the war had officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.
About Union Parish
Union Parish Timeline
Union Parish, located in the northeastern part of Louisiana, has a rich and diverse history dating back to the early 19th century. It was officially established in 1839, carved out of neighboring Ouachita Parish, and named after the hope for a unified nation following the Civil War. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Ouachita, Tensas, and Choctaw tribes, before European settlers arrived.
One of the earliest notable settlements in Union Parish was Shiloh, established around 1813. The town became an important trading post for the surrounding region and played a significant role during the Civil War. It was the site of the Battle of Shiloh, where Confederate forces clashed with Union troops in 1864, resulting in a Confederate victory.
In the late 19th century, the discovery of natural resources, particularly timber and oil, played a pivotal role in the development of Union Parish. The timber industry thrived, attracting numerous logging companies and sawmills to the area. Large tracts of virgin pine forests were harvested, and lumber became a major economic driver for the parish.
Oil was also discovered in Union Parish in the early 20th century, leading to an oil boom that fueled the local economy. Companies like Lou-ann Oil and Cypress Valley Oil played a significant role in the parish's oil production. The growth of the timber and oil industries brought an influx of settlers and immigrants to Union Parish, including workers from various regions of the United States and Europe.
Today, Union Parish is a thriving community that cherishes its natural beauty and historical roots. It is known for its abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hunting, and boating on Lake D'Arbonne. The parish also celebrates its history through cultural events and museums, such as the Union Museum of History and Art, which showcases artifacts and exhibits that reflect the diverse heritage of the area.
One of the earliest notable settlements in Union Parish was Shiloh, established around 1813. The town became an important trading post for the surrounding region and played a significant role during the Civil War. It was the site of the Battle of Shiloh, where Confederate forces clashed with Union troops in 1864, resulting in a Confederate victory.
In the late 19th century, the discovery of natural resources, particularly timber and oil, played a pivotal role in the development of Union Parish. The timber industry thrived, attracting numerous logging companies and sawmills to the area. Large tracts of virgin pine forests were harvested, and lumber became a major economic driver for the parish.
Oil was also discovered in Union Parish in the early 20th century, leading to an oil boom that fueled the local economy. Companies like Lou-ann Oil and Cypress Valley Oil played a significant role in the parish's oil production. The growth of the timber and oil industries brought an influx of settlers and immigrants to Union Parish, including workers from various regions of the United States and Europe.
Today, Union Parish is a thriving community that cherishes its natural beauty and historical roots. It is known for its abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hunting, and boating on Lake D'Arbonne. The parish also celebrates its history through cultural events and museums, such as the Union Museum of History and Art, which showcases artifacts and exhibits that reflect the diverse heritage of the area.
Union Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Union Parish, Louisiana.
- Prehistoric times: Native American tribes inhabited the area that is now Union Parish.
- 1803: The Louisiana Purchase brings the territory under U.S. control.
- 1839: Union Parish is established as a separate entity from Ouachita Parish.
- Late 1830s-1840s: Settlers begin to migrate to the area, primarily from the Southern states.
- 1852: The first courthouse is built in Farmerville, the parish seat.
- 1861-1865: Union Parish, like much of the South, is affected by the American Civil War.
- Early 20th century: Agriculture, primarily cotton and timber industries, drives the economy.
- 1920s-1930s: The Great Depression and boll weevil infestation hit the area hard.
- 1962: Lake D'Arbonne State Park is established, providing recreational opportunities.
- 2005: Hurricane Katrina devastates Union Parish, causing widespread damage.