Lima Tuberculosis Hospital

The Lima Tuberculosis Hospital was a tuberculosis sanatorium built in 1911[1][2] to deal with the leading causes of death in the United States in the early twentieth century.[3]

Lima Tuberculosis Hospital
Photo from 1911 book
Map
Geography
LocationLima, Ohio, United States
Coordinates40°43′20″N 84°8′34″W / 40.72222°N 84.14278°W / 40.72222; -84.14278
Organization
Care systemGovernment
Services
Beds25 (original) 158 (final)
History
OpenedApril 5, 1911
Closed1973
Links
ListsHospitals in Ohio

History

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Establishment

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The original floor plan in 1911.

From establishment in 1911 it held 24 beds originally, and was remodeled in 1927 to hold 158 beds.[4]

 
The rear of the hospital in 1911.

The capacity changed to 138 patients after an additional remodel occurred in 1957.[5]

The hospital was renamed Ottawa Valley Tuberculosis Hospital in 1960.[5] By 1970 it was nearly empty. In 1972 use of the second floor was shuttered and the entire hospital closed its doors in 1973.[5]

Abandonment

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While the hospital was winding down operation, on January 10, 1972, it was agreed that the hospital would be transferred to the Allen County Board of Commissioners.[6]

Because of its relatively remote location and the use of hard to clean up substances such as asbestos in the construction of the original 1911 building, the city of Lima did not prioritize demolition of the building.[7]

Around Halloween of 2020 a large surge of trespassing at the site occurred, which lead to an increased police presence and crackdown on trespassers.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Lima Tuberculosis Hospital: The White Plague Architecturalafterlife.com Retrieved on March 28, 2016.
  2. ^ Lima TB Hospital Archived 2016-04-07 at the Wayback Machine Ohiotruthhunters.org. Retrieved on March 28, 2016.
  3. ^ The Great White Plague Archived 2005-03-18 at the Wayback Machine Virginia.edu. Retrieved on March 28, 2016.
  4. ^ Lima State TB Hospital Opacity.us. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d "Police cracking down on trespassing at former TB hospital site". The Lima News. 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Out of the past - Sidney Daily News". www.sidneydailynews.com. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Demo of TB hospital remains cost prohibitive". The Lima News. 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
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