Lakeland History & Culture Center: Lakeland’s First Black Hospital

In 1914, the Morrell Hospital opened as Lakeland’s first community hospital. At that time, Lakeland was a racially segregated town. The African-American community, led by Dr. D. J. Simpson, was also growing and in need of a dedicated, local hospital. Medical care was performed in the patient’s home, but the very ill had to travel 40 miles to a Tampa hospital. In 1919, citizen activist Ben Sullivan appeared before the city commission, urging the establishment of a black hospital. Private funds were solicited via newspapers, and when a bond issue passed in 1924 to build a larger hospital, it also included $25,000 for building a separate facility for black patients.

In August of 1926, the hospital opened two blocks north of 10th Street and one block west of Dakota Street. Designed by architect A. J. Poteet and built by Billman-Purdy Co., the single-story hospital housed 20 beds in two wards and offered six private rooms. A kitchen, dining room, and operating suite were included as well. The hospital was staffed by professional nurses and also offered a nurses training program. In 1934, the hospital was closed for refurbishment, but it never reopened due to the cost of staffing the hospital. A few years later, the building was occupied as a preschool. During this time, a small portion of the larger Morrell Hospital was designated for black patients until the 1960s, at the urging of Dr. John S. Jackson, the hospital became integrated.

Learn more about the Lakeland History & Culture Center coming soon to the Lakeland Public Library at LakelandGov.net/CultureCenter!