Mary Washington Hospital

By Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks

Part 2

The year was 1946 and Fredericksburg was still a quiet community that was beginning to experience some growth. The Civil War was less than a century in the past with many building still showing some damage from the extensive shelling by the Union artillery. Many of the area citizens had served in the military and local National Guard in World War I and II. Two notables William Powell Sale and Carl D Silver would make a lasting impact on the area, that would be ongoing in present times in the business community.

Mary Washington Hospital would still be vital part of the community at the initial location on Sophia Street, many older residents still referred to it by it old name "Water Street". The building committee established in the early 1940's. It is recorded that of the 16 doctors 6 were serving the Army Medical Staff active duty. It was in 1945 that a form of Blue Cross insurance became available for the public The Hospital building committee finally approved a site across from James Monroe High School on Fall Hill Avenue be purchased from the City. With federal and state funds and over $350,000 in donations made the project feasible.

On May 13, 1949, Mayor Josiah Rowe held the ground breaking ceremony. On December 3, 1949, Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge laid the cornerstone. The New Mary Washington Hospital (pictured) on Fall Hilll officially opened on February 18, 1951, the next day 5 babies and 53 patients were moved to the new hospital. Along with the staff C J Papandreou was hired as the business manager and he would serve until 1975. In 1951 Red Cross Volunteers became known as the "Gray Ladies" and Harry Bach was hired as the new president of the hospital and he would serve in that position for twentyeight years, retiring in August 1981.

The old building on Sophia Street became a townhouse project, after Riverside Convalescent Home ceased operations and is still private homes. The Fredericksburg area would continue to grow especially the Stafford and Spotsylvania counties increasing the use of the hospital facilities. In 1961 a project that would cost almost two million dollars was completed. With the addition of Interstate I-95 would increase the usage