Christian Street Hospital
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
First Civil War U.S. Army Hospital, founded May, 1861. Here Drs. Mitchell, Keen, Morehouse, and others used electric current, drugs, and other experiments in pioneering treatment of nerve and related disorders. Closed 1865.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Opened in May 1861 as the first U.S. Army hospital of the Civil War, the Christian Street Hospital became a place of medical discovery as well as healing. Here Drs. S. Weir Mitchell, William Keen, George Morehouse, and colleagues studied nerve injuries among wounded soldiers, using electricity and drugs to pioneer the treatment of neurological disorders. The hospital closed in 1865 as the war ended.
Why it matters
The wartime study of nerve wounds here helped found American neurology, showing how the Civil War's horrors also advanced modern medicine.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Hill-Physick House0.6 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial0.7 mi away
- Bridgette Mayer0.7 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Powel House0.8 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Congress Hall0.8 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.8 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Italian marketnearby · Christian Street
- Liberty Bell0.8 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.8 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Carpenters' Hall0.9 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United States0.9 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.9 mi away
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.6 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.6 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.7 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.7 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.7 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.7 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Alexander Inn0.5 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Fairfield Inn & Suites0.6 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris House Hotel0.6 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City0.7 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.7 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City0.7 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · S. Weir Mitchell
- · William Keen
- · George Morehouse
Themes & tags
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