Union Community Hospital
National Register Listing
Street Address:
213 W. Main St., Union, SC (Union County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817744025
Description and Narrative:
The Union Community Hospital is significant due to its importance in the development of medical services for the African American population of Union County. The hospital was founded at a time when racial barriers barred African American physicians and patients from local public hospitals. In an effort to provide more adequate medical care for African Americans, Dr. Lawrence W. Long founded in the Union Community Hospital in December 1932. Through Dr. Long’s efforts, the hospital became a center for yearly clinics aimed at providing African American physicians with continuing education and the opportunity to keep abreast of new developments in the medical field. A leader in the African American medical community, Dr. Long served as President and later Chairman of the Board of The Palmetto Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association and also consulted with President John F. Kennedy at the White House during the early phases of the Medicare program. Long pushed for the integration of the medical professions, the removal of the barriers to African Americans in public hospitals, and the provision of adequate training for African American medical students. Union Community Hospital provided services to the African American community of Union County for 43 years. It is a two-story building whose front section was formerly a frame residence, ca. 1915, on which a brick veneer has been placed. The rear section, built in 1949, is of masonry construction with a brick veneer. Listed in the National Register August 1, 1996.
Period of Significance:
1932;1945
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Ethnic Heritage: Black;Health/Medicine
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
August 1 1996
