O'Reilly General Hospital was an army hospital created by the U.S. Government in February 1941. It was built in Springfield, Missouri to provide long-term medical care for returning soldiers of World War II. It became known as "The hospital with a soul."
In February 1941, the War Department selected the Springfield municipal golf course as the location for soon to be O'Reilly General Hospital. The city of Springfield donated the golf course to the government. [1] Adjacent to the 160-acre property was the Pythian Home of Missouri built by the Knights of Pythias. [2] The Army, using an order of immediate possession, bought the "castle" from the Knights of Pythias for $40,625 which was half of its assessed value. [3] The castle was renovated and converted into the Enlisted Men's Service Club. [2] The army built a ballroom, bowling alley and gymnasium inside of the building. Part of the basement of the castle was converted into a prison for Italian and German prisoners who required medical care. [3]
Construction of the hospital was overseen by Major Michael Grimaldi, constructing quartermaster, at a cost of almost two million dollars. Construction of the facilities was completed in four months. [4] The commander of the post was Colonel George B. Foster Jr. who declared on May 15, 1941 that it should be a "hospital with a soul." [2] The hospital got its name from former Surgeon General Robert Maitland O’Reilly. [5] It was dedicated on November 8, 1941 with room for 1,000 beds.
The hospital began to conduct training for field medics. Many of the patients treated had severe burns. The hospital began using new innovations in plastic surgery to help the burn victims. It became a primary provider of reconstructive surgery and physical therapy. [6]
During the winter of 1944, area residents worked to makes sure all the patients in the hospital had presents. [7]
At the end of the war, the hospital was placed on the army's list of surplus hospitals and was closed on September 30, 1946. [3] [8] The Veterans Administration immediately expressed interest in operating the facility. [8] The United States Veterans Administration reopened it in February 1947. They closed it down again in August 1952. It was again declared surplus property by the government. [9] The site remained unused until the General Council of the Assemblies of God bought most of the property in December 1954 for the construction of the university. [2] [3] The remaining part of the grounds are now the armory for the Army reserve and National Guard.
The army initially built 91 buildings for the hospital. It was eventually expanded to 258 buildings and 3,426 beds. [5] They offered an occupation classes for staff and patients to learn new skills and take high-school exams.
It was built between the roads of Division and Glenstone Avenue. The location is now occupied by the Army Reserve, Army National Guard and Evangel University. [2]
The United States Army Surgeon General recognized the army hospital as the "best in the Nation." [2] Over 100,000 patients were treated over its five-year period of operation. The hospital became a model for other army hospitals. The average cost per patient was five dollars a day. [7] Average recovery time dropped to 24 days from and average of 35 days. [5]
Washburn is a city in Washburn Township, Barry County, Missouri, United States. The current town encompasses the sites of two communities formerly known as Keetsville and O'Day and is named for local pioneer Samuel C. Washburn. The population was 435 at the 2010 census.
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The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C., on February 19, 1864. The Knights of Pythias is the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias. This legend illustrates the ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order.
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The Pythian Home of Missouri, also known as Pythian Castle, in Springfield, Missouri, was built in 1913 by the Knights of Pythias and later owned by the U.S. military. German and Italian prisoners-of-war were assigned here during World War II for medical treatment and as laborers. Some prisoners were kept in the detached powerhouse and laundry room behind the castle. The laundry room is still owned by the U.S. Army.
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The Springfield, Missouri, metropolitan area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Springfield, the state's third largest city. Other primary population centers in the metro area include Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Bolivar, Marshfield and Willard. Currently, the city limits of Springfield reach the Ozark city limits at the Christian County line on US 65, the city limits of Republic at James River Freeway on the southwest side of the city, and the Strafford city limits on Route 744 on the northeast side of the city.
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