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Howard County Memorial Hospital

Howard County Memorial Hospital

City/Town:
Location Class:
Built: 1948 | Abandoned: 2009
Status: AbandonedEndangered
Photojournalist: Jonathan Canaday

County officials are still working to tear down at least part of the old Howard County Memorial Hospital building. The former hospital located in Nashville, Arkansas closed in 2009. Ever since then, ideas have been tossed around about what to do with the building. Because of numerous issues, including asbestos and lead, the location has remained vacant. Back in October of 2013, the Howard County Quorum Court passed a resolution to seek $150,000 in funding for the demolition of the old hospital property. The state’s Rural Development Commission has been working to secure those funds and it has not been a quick process. Howard County Judge Kevin Smith says only a third of the money has been collected. He would like to the see the county keep the newest expansion to the building, constructed in 1988. The quorum court has discussed several ways that the building could be utilized. The ideas include expanding district court, community storm shelter, offsite hazmat area for Tyson’s, backup location should something happen to the courthouse, and others.

Howard County Coroner and Howard County Ambulance Service owner John Gray says the area could be developed into a residential area. “I believe once funding has been secured for demolition of the building the city and county should jointly pursue a developer to build a nice mid range price apartment complex to offer more housing options for our area. I would like to see the doctors office building to be used as an emergency operation center so that the city and county has the resources needed to mitigate any disaster that could occur.”

Howard County Memorial Hospital opened in 1948.

Susan Wright of Nashville worked at the old hospital and has several memories. She said seeing photos of the building and the condition it is now in is bittersweet. “I was born at HMH on June 24, 1959, went to work at HMH on Nov 28, 1988, and was employed until June 3, 2014. I was a Unit Secretary & Monitor Technician for the Med-Surg unit.”

Wright also remembers the spiral staircase going down into the medical records room. “Those [stairs] were awful and it was spooky down there! I had a fear of getting locked in there and no one knowing where I was!”

The hospital delivered newborns until early 1990. The building underwent several expansions, including the hospital front wing in 1961-62, 1972-73, and the emergency department in 1988.

The new facility opened on July 30, 2009. Construction of the new hospital did not include demolition of the old building. County officials looked for new tenants to possibly turn the building into a VA nursing home or house the local school administration. However, renovations were needed and the building would require the removal of asbestos and lead. Also, the adjacent doctors office building was still in use.

Photos and story by Jonathan Canaday of Southwest Arkansas Radio.




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Samuel Johansen
Samuel Johansen
1 year ago

Sent you a message on your Instagram when you have a chance. Thank you

Seth R
Seth R
5 years ago

He will need to update the post. They have now tore down part of the building and starting on the rest at a later date. It’s very sad to see it go I have spent many days there because my mother worked here.

gabe
gabe
8 years ago

This is a great article. How does one go about gaining access to the building? Does anyone know who to ask permission from?

Sandra Toogood
Sandra Toogood
9 years ago

I was born at this hospital in 1958. It would be very interesting to see photos of what this hospital looked like during this time. Thank you to the host of this website for documenting these sites!!!

trudy
trudy
9 years ago

This is sad, I was born there, my second son was born there. My mom worked there, my dad died there, so many nurses and drs. that are no longer with us served there. As a child the spiral staircase was a big thing for me and I will always remember. It is sad to see this building go to waste.

Dru
Dru
9 years ago

spent many sad days there with my husband being sick.

Denise
Denise
9 years ago

I was born here too. Many, many visits to see ill people, newborn babies and just to visit friends who were working there (e.g. Susan Wright)! Sad to see how it has fallen apart and molding. Sure was hoping it could be upcycled. The article said they delivered babies until 1990. I was told I couldn't deliver there and had to go to T'kana in 1981. Brandy is a Texan

Asley
Asley
9 years ago

It is hard…my love for the medical field started there…

Stephany V.
Stephany V.
9 years ago

Oh my.. Brought tears..

Gladine
Gladine
9 years ago

Good times spent in that old building and yes girl I do remember that ride with Eddie

Ashley M
Ashley M
9 years ago

It doesn't even look like the same place…wow

Susan Wright
Susan Wright
9 years ago

You did an excellent job with this article & the pictures! I am honored to be included. Thank you!

nicole
nicole
Reply to  Susan Wright
9 years ago

Where did they move the new byilding I can rember the old building in back of my mind

JonathanC
JonathanC
Reply to  nicole
9 years ago

The new building is at the intersection of highways 278 and 371, west of Nashville.

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