Huntsville Hospital System

1895 - A small infirmary is opened on Mill Street. The Infirmary was the result of the United Charities of Huntsville, a group dedicated to helping the sick and needy. The rent was $12.50 per month.

1904 - The Infirmary moves to a new location. The house had previously been owned by Mollie Teal who left the home to the city. 112 patients were treated in the Infirmary during the year.

1916 - The city appeals to the State Health Department for help after typhoid fever devastates the community. Dr. Carl Grote Sr., later to become known as the patriarch of Huntsville Hospital, answers the call.

1918 - An outbreak of Spanish Flu ravishes Huntsville. Almost 400 people died of the disease in less than four months. Dedication to their jobs became deadly when only four doctors in Madison County escaped the disease.

1925 - A campaign is begun by Dr. Carl Grote, Sr., to raise funds for a new hospital. In an outpouring of public sentiment, most of the money was raised by private donations. Property was donated by Harry Rhett, Sr.

1926 - A modern hospital, the first of its kind in the Tennessee Valley, is built. The name is officially changed from the Huntsville Infirmary to Huntsville Hospital. The first baby was delivered at Huntsville Hospital on June 11, 1926.

1932 - The Depression strikes home when the hospital is faced with the prospect of having to close its doors.

1943 - President Roosevelt approved $45,850 in federal funds to expand the hospital to 76 beds. The project also included the first emergency room and an X-ray department.

1955-57 - Expansion added new patient wings to the north and south ends of the 1926 building. An oxygen supply system was installed and the entire facility was made more fireproof.

1961 - Huntsville Hospital was deeded over to the City of Huntsville in order to sell construction bonds to finance badly needed expansion.

1963 - Construction provided four floors of nursing units, bringing bed capacity to 320.

1964 - Hospital Auxiliary volunteers, known as "Pink Ladies", begin their service.

1967 - The state's first, on-site employee child care center opens at Huntsville Hospital.

1973 - Huntsville Hospital is selected as the teaching facility for UAH's School of Primary Medical Care. In addition, North Alabama's only Neonatal Nursery opens at Huntsville Hospital.