MONOGRAPHS OF KINNEY COUNTY’S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE: Post Hospital

This bi-weekly feature examines the enduring unique architecture to be found here in Kinney County by spotlighting individual buildings and providing brief histories, complimented by period photographs. Our intent is to explore the past, inspire the present, and build the future by showcasing the remarkable associations and legacies of structures which have stood the test of time and continue to contribute so much to the exceptional heritage of Kinney County. Our next subject is the “Post Hospital” a contributing structure to the Fort Clark Historic District and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The Post Hospital, now the Fort Clark Springs Adult Center, was built in late 1930’s on the footprint of a previous hospital from the 19th century. It is actually the third hospital to serve the post. Army hospitals are buildings constructed for the medical care of military personnel, civilian employees, and dependents. Post hospitals generally were set apart from the other buildings within the installation plan. The architecture of hospitals reflected contemporary medical philosophies of medical care and often included high-style architectural ornamentation typical of the period of construction. 19th century post hospitals generally had a central block with ward wings and verandas around the building. Early twentieth-century military hospitals followed the same design, but with Colonial Revival or Classical stylistic references. Regulations for Army post hospital design were issued regularly throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries (1871, 1877, 1888, and 1906). The standard post hospital design consisted of a two-story central block flanked by two one-story wings and accommodated 24 beds. A character-defining feature of these hospitals is the wide surrounding veranda. The Army hospitals of this era also incorporated Victorian design elements, such as bay windows and wood spindle work.

A review of the surviving hospital plan not only shows a cross-section of the construction materials but also an intended use for each interior space. A careful study identifies surgeon offices, maternity ward, officers’ ward, detention ward (for sick prisoners), disturbed patient ward, dentist office, E.E.N.T. clinic, X-ray room, pharmacy, mess hall, and kitchen to name a few. During World War II, to provide care for the almost 10,000 troopers of the Second Cavalry Division, the hospital was expanded by adding multiple frame buildings which consisted of wards that were physically separated from one another and connected by corridors or covered walkways. The increased capacity placed the facility into the category of a “station hospital.” Our post hospital not only served the garrison but also the greater Kinney County community. There are still a handful of Brackettville residents who are very proud of the fact they were born in Fort Clark’s post hospital. Saved from the wrecking ball during the fort’s post war salvage operation, the building was repurposed by the Guest Ranch into lodging use as individual rooms. No floorplan or interior photos from that period have yet to surface.

In 1981 Texas preservation architect Killis P. Almond, Jr. recorded this evaluation of the building in his Fort Clark Historic District Preservation Plan:

This building has a two-story central pavilion with north and south one-story wings of exact design. A one-story wing with a partial basement adjoins the east facade. The building follows closely the preceding configuration of the hospital, which this building replaced. It is evident that the millwork of the porches was reused from the nineteenth century hospital for this twentieth century replacement. The central pavilion is a concrete frame with stucco on structural clay tile backing. The wings are square cut, random coursed limestone with pitch-facing. Windows are typically metal awning and casement type sash with cast stone sills. The wings have flat stone arches. A one-story porch runs the full length of the east and west facades. It is raised on a solid stone foundation on with a concrete deck, and features chamfered wood columns with wood brackets. The railing is a double line steel pipe bolted between the columns. The condition of the building is excellent. The roof is now covered with asphalt composition shingles, except for the remaining standing seam metal at the east wing.

Hospital buildings are major building types at military sites. Fort Clark’s hospital possesses individual significance because of its historical associations and architectural merit, and is a major contributing building to the Historic District, retaining the majority of its design, setting, and materials from its period of historical significance. It should top the list of Fort Clark Springs Association buildings eligible for designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.