Inside Bluefield, W.Va.’s first black hospital

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - Research done by John Rankin, a former history professor at Bluefield State University reveals the first black hospital in Bluefield, West Virginia was started by Dr. E.W. Lomax on Bland Street. Rankin’s work titled “The early history and development of Bluefield, West Virginia” claims the hospital first actually opened in a frame house in 1916. Later it was torn down and replaced with a brick and mortar building ten years later in 1926.

Lomax later died and the hospital was purchased by Dr. W.A. Brown and it carried his name. It was known as Brown’s Hospital. The current owner of the building, Patricia Valentine, says she had no idea of the building’s history when she became the new owner of the old building back in 2014.

“One of Dr. Brown’s descendants called me from New Jersey and they had found out that we had purchased the building. They were congratulating me and were glad that we had it. Then I began to do some research on it,” said Valentine.

Valentine says that research took her to Rankin’s work, where she discovered the old hospital could accommodate around fifty people. The building has 19 rooms and had many uses, including space to house nurses during it’s time as an active hospital.

One of the rooms was used as a sun room for recovering patients, while six others were for private use. Valentine says she’s just starting the process to get this building the historical recognition she believes it deserves.

“I’m trying to get it set up first to have it put in the state registry. When I talked with a person she said I don’t see how this wasn’t listed as historical. So this is my job to try and do this first,” said Valentine.

Valentine adds she’s had a lot of work done to the old hospital. Including some roof repairs, painting, and even new windows. She says she’s in the process of finishing the roof repairs to prevent further water damage.

Valentine says this old hospital has earned a place in her heart.

“With me being black, it’s nice to be able to say this is part of me. I didn’t make this hospital, I didn’t build it. I just feel so overwhelmed to be able to say that I own a part of black history,” said Valentine.

Brown’s Hospital was also a nursing home at one point. Rankin’s work also claims a second black hospital later opened on Scott Street in Bluefield. It opened in 1927 and was known as the Providence Hospital.