Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte Memorial Hospital, First Native American medical hospital in Walthill, Nebraska.
Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte Memorial Hospital in Walthill is a structure built in the American Craftsman style with a low-pitched roof, wide overhanging eaves, and a screened porch held up by columns. The building originally housed two general wards, a maternity ward, an operating room, five private rooms, a kitchen, administrative offices, and living quarters for staff.
The hospital was built in 1913 with funds from private donations and became the first medical facility on an Indian reservation operating without government support. It served the area until the 1940s, marking a significant shift in how healthcare was provided to reservation communities.
The hospital bears the name of Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte, who became the first Omaha Nation member to earn a medical degree and brought her training back to serve her community. Visitors today can experience how this place held deep meaning for the Omaha people and neighboring populations.
The building is open to visitors who wish to explore the layout and see how medical care was organized in the early 1900s. Plan for a leisurely visit to understand both the architecture and the educational exhibits inside without rushing.
The building combines industrial construction methods with handcrafted design details, making it a notable example of early 1900s architecture that valued both efficiency and care in its creation. This blend reveals how quality medical facilities could be built in remote areas when there was commitment and support.
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