Jefferson Davis Hospital, Former public hospital in First Ward, Houston, United States
Jefferson Davis Hospital is a former public hospital in Neoclassical style with monumental Ionic columns and red brick walls in Houston. The three-story building sits at the intersection of Dart and Elder Streets in an elevated location north of downtown.
The building was constructed in 1924 on the grounds of the Old City Cemetery and served as Houston's first centralized municipal hospital for uninsured patients. It operated in this capacity until 1938 when its medical function ended.
Today the building houses Elder Street Artist Lofts, providing homes for creative professionals within the First Ward arts district. The space reflects how the neighborhood has transformed into a hub for artists and makers.
Access to the interior is limited as the building now serves as private artist lofts and is not open to the public. The best view of its exterior architecture is from the surrounding streets in First Ward.
The building was constructed over a historic cemetery where thousands lie buried, including Confederate soldiers, freed slaves, and early Houston officials from the 1840s burial ground. This hidden history beneath the surface adds layers of meaning to the location.
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