Red Bay Hospital

 

Red Bay, Alabama, while a small town, has been fortunate to have its own hospital serving the community for several decades. The establishment of Red Bay Hospital in 1967 marked a significant milestone for the healthcare needs of the residents of Red Bay and the surrounding areas.

The hospital's founding was greatly aided by the instrumental efforts of Dr. Walker Dempsey, who served the Red Bay area for 40 years before his retirement in 1989. His dedication to bringing quality healthcare closer to home for local citizens was a driving force behind the hospital's creation. In his honor, the Dr. Walker Dempsey Hospital Foundation, Inc. was developed in 1997, continuing the legacy he began.

Throughout its history, Red Bay Hospital has strived to be an integral part of the community's well-being. It offers a range of services, including a 24/7 emergency room, a Wellcare Center (functioning much like a fitness center with modern exercise and rehabilitative equipment), a licensed laboratory, and imaging services (bone density, CT, digital mammography, Echo, High Field MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray). A unique service offered is its Swing Bed Program, which allows the hospital to convert a hospital bed to a long-term care bed for patients not quite ready to return home or to a long-term care facility.

In recent years, Red Bay Hospital has become affiliated with Helen Keller Hospital, which itself has a long history dating back to 1921 when it was known as Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield. Helen Keller Hospital is now part of the Huntsville Hospital Health System, a large not-for-profit system that has expanded its reach across North Alabama and into Southern Tennessee, providing support and resources to smaller community hospitals like Red Bay Hospital. This affiliation helps Red Bay Hospital to continue providing cost-effective care and access for all in need, ensuring its viability and continued service to the community.

In 2017, Red Bay Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary, a testament to its enduring presence and the community's support, even through challenging times when many rural hospitals faced closure. The hospital's continued operation is a source of pride and a vital resource for the Red Bay area.

When Belk-Hudson Burned

 

Grand Opening in 1946

October is National Fire Prevention Month, but in 1959 it didn't start off in the most propitious manner for the city of Florence. Since 1946, Belk-Hudson Department Store had flourished at 317 North Court Street, but the three story mercantile came to an abrupt and fiery end on October 1st.

Shortly before the store was to open that Thursday, a fire was discovered in what was called the Bargain Basement. As smoke billowed up the steps and out the front door, the manager of the nearby Sterchi Brothers Furniture Company pulled the outside alarm to beckon firefighters.

Besides heavily discounted items filling the lower sale areas, the basement storerooms were stocked with Christmas merchandise for the coming holiday season. Once the front door was opened at 8:15, it took only a few minutes for the entire level to become engulfed in flames.

The fire spread upward rapidly, and before noon the flames had reached the top floor. The Sheffield Fire Department arrived to provide additional manpower, but water pressure from the city hydrants was rapidly decreasing. Despite the best efforts of both Florence and Sheffield, it became apparent that the building and its numerous wares would be a total loss.

The object then became to save the adjoining H.G. Hill Food Store (now home to Mugshots) and the A&P Grocery (now home to FloBama). While vehicles were prohibited in the area, businesses across the street remained open. Trowbridge's served the firefighters coffee, while Culpepper's Bakery offered donuts.

By seven o'clock that evening, the fire was declared extinguished, but the conflagration had taken its toll on those who had fought it. Two Florence firefighters were hospitalized, and eight others who took part in fighting the blaze were treated and released.

Little was left of the Belk-Hudson building owned by R.A. Strickland. The Florence businessman announced that he would rebuild, but Belk failed to return to its former location. The 24 displaced employees were offered positions at the Sheffield store, which similarly burned years later.

Today, the building at 317 North Court Street is called the Strickland Hotel, in honor of R.A. Strickland who for decades owned the property. It's worth noting that over 60 years after the historic fire, only Trowbridge's remains in that section of the city's high street. It would seem in the 21st Century that ice cream has triumphed over groceries, furniture, and bakery goods to remain a constant in the Renaissance City.

Bette F. Terry holds a B.A. in History from UAH.

The Secret Service Agent and the Secretary

 

Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent who dramatically tried, but failed, to stop the assassination of John Kennedy in Dallas, died on February 21st, at the age of 93. His passing brought to mind that six months earlier in 1963, some of Hill’s fellow agents had been in Muscle Shoals.

Kennedy was scheduled to speak at the TVA Fertilizer Development Center on May 18th. His visit was preceded by a group of Secret Service agents who personally scanned and mapped every inch of the facility’s administrative offices and the surrounding areas.

TVA employees with established security clearances were assigned to assist these agents who were characterized as young, more bucks than Turks. One such agent soon took an interest in the secretary designated to assist him.

It seemingly didn’t deter the young agent that his assigned companion, described as an Olivia de Haviland lookalike, was four years married. The agent vigorously pursued the secretary who was said to have expertly deflected his attentions.

At one point, the agent asked the native Alabamian the name of the State capitol. The young woman quickly replied, “Montgomery.”

The agent laughingly admitted that he was disappointed. His knowledge of the state was not broad, and he had so wanted to hear his would-be lady love say “Birmenham.”

After Kennedy’s speech, the Secret Service agents quickly left TVA. The secretary later related that she did see her admirer one last time. Television news showed the young man walking silently by Kennedy’s horse-drawn caisson on November 25th.




Bette F. Terry holds a B.A. in history from UAH

The Frank Perry Nurses Home

 

It wasn’t long after Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital moved to its new home on Alabama Street in 1943 that Florence businessman Frank Perry donated $65,000.00 for a nurses’ home, an amount equal to approximately $1,186,000.00 in today’s dollars. The mid-century moderne structure was erected near a segment of the original Jackson Military Road on property adjoining the hospital and included a grand staircase and a sunroom.

In that era, homes for nurses were often built near hospitals for several practical reasons:

Immediate Access to Patients: Proximity to the hospital allowed nurses to respond quickly to patient needs, especially during emergencies.

Clinical Experience: Being close to the hospital provided ample opportunities for hands-on clinical experience and observation. Nurses could easily assist with patient care, learn from experienced doctors and nurses, and gain practical skills.

Supervision and Mentorship: Close proximity facilitated close supervision and mentorship from hospital staff. Experienced doctors and nurses could readily guide and instruct the trainee nurses.

Efficiency: Having nurses reside near the hospital streamlined patient care and improved communication between hospital staff and the nursing trainees.

The end of World War II and rationing brought gaiety and galas to the facility, and in February 1946, residents of the home hosted a Valentine’s Day party for hospital staff. Specifically mentioned in news accounts were single nurses Judy Kelly, Ardelle Thompson, Sue Posey, Mary Ann Wolf, Celeste Mrozin, Mary Jane Collins, Hazel McCaghren, and Maxine Cox. Over the years, the elegant facility also housed quarterly meetings of the District 13 Alabama State Nurses Association, as well as providing a venue for various other social functions.

As transportation became more readily available, the need for a nurses’ dormitory lessened. By the turn of the 21st Century, the Frank Perry Nurses Home was utilized mainly by the hospital’s radiology department.

After the opening of North Alabama Medical Center, the City of Florence made the controversial decision to raze most of the old hospital campus, including the nurses home. The plans were rapidly implemented before most citizens knew that the beautiful structure was to be lost forever. One hasty effort at preservation was barely underway before the bulldozers began to level the facility in March 2019.

ECM Hospital c. 1943

The property where Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital and Frank Perry Nurses Home once stood was quickly sold to Joel Anderson Jr. for construction of a mixed-use development. As of February 2025, the land is dotted with preparations for new infrastructure.

It’s sad to reflect that no one had the vision to incorporate such a beautiful structure from the past into a design of the city’s future.

Photo Courtesy of Kaytrina P. Simmons

Bette Favor Terry holds a B.A. in History