Taborian Hospital, Art Deco hospital building in Mound Bayou, Mississippi.
Taborian Hospital is an Art Deco building in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, designed by architectural firm McKissack & McKissack. The single-story structure displays geometric patterns and ornamental details typical of the style from that era.
The hospital was established in 1941 and became one of the oldest medical facilities serving Black residents in Mississippi under P. M. Smith's leadership. This foundation marked a turning point in healthcare access for the region.
The facility was founded by the International Order of Twelve Knights and Daughters of Tabor, an organization dedicated to serving African American communities through healthcare. The building represents the community's effort to establish and control its own medical institutions.
The building was equipped with modern medical technology including two operating rooms, x-ray equipment, incubators, and a blood bank for its time. Visitors should note that it now functions as a historical landmark rather than an active medical facility.
T.R.M. Howard served as the first chief surgeon and brought advanced medical practices to the facility. His work at this hospital created a hub of medical knowledge that transformed healthcare in the area.
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