MONOGRAPHS OF KINNEY COUNTY’S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE: Hospital Steward's Quarters

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 “Hospital Steward’s Quarters,” a sturdy stone building on the edge of the Fort Clark Historic District which has stood the test of time for over 150 years.

This rectangular stone building has seen multiple modifications during its lifetime. The original building, intended for use as quarters for the post Hospital Steward, was a simple two room “cabin” put up in 1874 during the construction of the “new post” which included a new hospital. The first occupant was Hospital Steward Edward Jones. There exists a single period photo of the building which shows a hip roof with what would be a double fireplace chimney in the center, a crude covered porch, and a frame addition. Surviving Quartermaster Department plans show that the frame addition served as a kitchen with a bathroom behind (see QMD sketch).

The post Hospital Steward was a crucial, highly responsible and educated enlisted man, who functioned as a pharmacist, hospital administrator, and surgical assistant. The Hospital Steward handled pharmacy, supplies, records, and even treated wounded soldiers. Each post had a Hospital Steward assigned as permanent party and accounted for by name on the monthly post return. It would be possible for a determined researcher to identify every Hospital Steward who served at Fort Clark from the post returns 1856-1916. As an example, Hospital Steward William C. Smith deserted on September 28, 1857 (he returned the next month and was placed in confinement, court martialed, and discharged. There was no replacement until March 1859). The post Hospital Steward was usually the only enlisted man provided individual housing by the Army. Commissary Sergeants, Ordnance Sergeants, even Sergeant Majors rarely had assigned quarters.

Stewards started as soldiers assigned to help surgeons, learning on the job with no formal training, but their responsibilities quickly grew. During the Civil War they were among the highest-paid enlisted men, identified by a half-chevron insignia, and often possessed medical backgrounds, sometimes even promoted to assistant surgeon. Hospital Stewards compounded medicines, filled prescriptions, managed medicinal alcohol, and prepared pills, acting as the primary pharmacist. They managed hospital supplies, handled records, ordered provisions, and supervised staff, often being literate and intelligent. They assisted surgeons, dressed wounds, removed bullets, and even performed minor procedures when medical officers were absent, showing significant autonomy. Stewards received, dispensed, and accounted for food and medical supplies, and purchased necessities for the sick. When the Hospital Corps was formally established in 1887, new chevrons were introduced for Hospital Stewards (with a Red Cross), creating a more defined enlisted medical structure. In 1903, the title "Hospital Steward" was officially phased out and replaced by ranks like Sergeant, Corporal, and Private, forming the basis of the modern enlisted Medical Corps.

A 1920 “Plan of Fort Clark” identifies the building as No.75 and shows it retaining its 1874 configuration. At some point after 1920 the building was enlarged by adding a stone addition to the north side. The original door was changed to a window. Although the position of Hospital Steward was abolished in 1903, the 1928 Inspector General’s Report still identifies the building as the “Hospital Steward’s Quarters” and with a significant increase in size to 45’x70’. The building’s final military service saw it used as a recreation hall for Fort Clark’s Woman’s Army Corp Detachment (1944 Post Map). Use during the Guest Ranch era in unknown. Fort Clark Springs owned the building for many years and frequently assigned it to the General Manager as living quarters, adding a frame kitchen/dining room to the rear of the building and a frame master bedroom to the south end.

In his 1981 Fort Clark Historic District Preservation Plan, Killis P. Almond, Jr. stated, “Although this structure lies outside the present boundary [of the Historic District], it is recommended that the boundary be altered to capture this building within its historic context.” How the building was overlooked by the Texas Historical Commission during their 1976 survey of the Historic District remains a mystery. Today the building is privately owned and has returned to its historic purpose of family housing. The building’s age, basic architecture, and historic associations make it more than qualified for consideration for designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.



Monographs of Kinney County’s Architectural Heritage is written by Bill Haenn, FCHC Senior Historian. Fort Clark Heritage Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, established in 2023, to advocate for the preservation and protection of the architecture and other historic resources in the Fort Clark National Register Historic District for the benefit  of the visiting public and future generations, providing for the advancement and strengthening of heritage tourism initiatives by growing recognition of and visitation to the Fort Clark Historic District and being committed to endorsing and promulgating the rich history of Fort Clark by expanding upon related educational and research efforts. Find this article and more online at  KinneyCountyPost.com