HistoricSiteMarkers
Progressive & Modern Era

Holmes Hospital

Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas

Marker Inscription

A native of Gonzales County, Dr. George Holmes (1881-1948) began practicing medicine in Gonzales in 1915. His dream of a fully equipped hospital for the county seat was realized with the completion of this hospital building in 1921. Constructed by contractor Fred Miesenhelder, the two-story red brick building features a Spanish tile roof and a bracketed porch. It served as hospital and administrative offices until 1978. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1984

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Dr. George Holmes, a Gonzales County native, began practicing medicine in Gonzales in 1915 and dreamed of giving the county seat a fully equipped hospital. That dream was realized in 1921 with this two-story red-brick building — accented by a Spanish tile roof and a bracketed porch and built by contractor Fred Miesenhelder — which served as hospital and offices until 1978. It was named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1984.

Why it matters

The hospital marks the arrival of modern medical care in a rural Texas county, part of the broad early-twentieth-century push to bring professional health services beyond the big cities.

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Related people

  • · Dr. George Holmes
  • · Fred Miesenhelder

Themes & tags

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