Founded by an act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Hospital Service was the first federal-level mechanism to provide public health care and disease prevention in the U.S. These hospitals were constructed at key river and sea ports across the nation to provide health care for merchant marine sailors and to monitor and gate-keep against pathogenic diseases. Over time, the hospitals of the service expanded to provide a key monitoring and gate-keeping function against pathogenic diseases and continued with research and prevention work as well as the care of patients. Built in 1853, this Paducah location features one of seven, similarly designed by world renowned architect, Robert Mills (best known for designing the Washington Monument). Mills was the first professionally trained architect born in America. The Paducah design was the smaller of two versions, housing fifty patients. Fort Anderson was constructed around the hospital which burned in the fall of 1863.

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Show me all markers in:  Paducah, KY  |  McCracken County  |  42003  |  Kentucky  |  United States of America

"Evening Roll Call"
Riverside Hospital at Fort Anderson
A Century of Library Service 1904-2004
Union Labor
Western Baptist Hospital
Paducah Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Welcome to the Atomic City
Dawn of the Atomic Age
The "A" Boom in Paducah
Iron Horse Memorial

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