Fort Brown, Buildings 85 and 86
Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Morgue and linen storage. 1867 Fort Brown Buildings 85 and 86. Brick fringe, cornice. Autopsies in yellow fever study were made here by Dr. Wm. C. Gorgas, Capt. Hennessey, Lt. Crowder, Dr. Melon, defying orders of superior officer. Dr. Gorgas became immune.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
These two 1867 brick buildings at Fort Brown once served as the post's morgue and linen storage. Here Dr. William C. Gorgas and fellow officers carried out autopsies in a study of yellow fever, pressing on with the dangerous research despite a superior officer's orders to stop. Gorgas survived the disease and gained immunity—experience that shaped a career later famous for conquering yellow fever during the building of the Panama Canal.
Why it matters
The work done in this humble morgue links a Texas frontier fort to one of the great public-health triumphs in American history—the defeat of yellow fever.
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Related people
- · William C. Gorgas
Related events
- · Yellow fever research
Themes & tags
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