Arkansas State Tuberculosis Sanatorium
1910 - 1973

At one time, passing through these gates as a patient was almost the equivalent of a death sentence
However, the patients admitted to the State Sanitorium had a lower mortality rate (approximately 50 percent) as compared to the mortality prior to its opening (approximately 80 percent)

Through the sacrifice of those that were patients, staff and faculty here, the Great Main Gate no longer separates this facility from the rest of the world

By the late 1800's and early 1900's, tuberculosis was taking over the population of not only Arkansas, but also the United States.  Highly contagious, poorly understood and almost impossible to cure, the mortality rate was very high (80.2 %).   Urged by Judge Joseph Hill, who was diagnosed with Tuberculosis in the fall of 1905, the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 378 in March of 1909 (See Outline of Act 378 of 1909 here) to construct the Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanatorium.

The three purposes of the Sanatorium, according to the Act, were to:

1.  To search for the tuberculosis people among the Arkansas population and see to their supervision and treatment

2.  To search for the people who had been exposed to the infection and give them repeated examinations

3.  To weed out tuberculosis among people who appeared to be well, even those who had no known contact with the disease

"The Board has decided that the Sanatorium should be located south of the mountains and will need a large tract of land, at least 1000 acres. The site should be a section free of malaria, where the drainage is good and the streams fresh and wholesome; the soil should be sandy or rocky in order for there to be as little dampness as possible. Pine lands where the timber has been cut off is preferable, and it must be where the transportation facilities are adequate for patients to come from all parts of the state . . .

The Board intends to locate the Sanatorium at the best place for the purpose, and if the state could obtain the land by donation, they would be grateful for it. If the best place for the Sanatorium must be purchased, the Board will make the purchase . . .

The Board intends to visit every available place and investigate the various conditions"

Selecting The Site
(circa 1909)

This picture is of a group of men who were involved in selecting the site for the State of Arkansas' Tuberculosis Sanatorium.

Pictured left to right: Dr. J. G. Southard, Hamp Williams, Dr. J. S. Shibley, Judge Joseph M. Hill, Dr. G. J. Murphey, Dr. S. P. McConnell, Dr. S. G. Brown, Earl Harrel, and Henry Taylor

The City of Booneville won out over several other areas in Arkansas by donating 973 acres of land, which had a total value of $10,000 at that time.

Facts & Figures

Act 378 of May 1909 Authorized Search for and Start-up of a State Sanatorium
(See Outline of Act 378 of 1909 here)

First Patient Admitted - August 1910

1910 Patient Population - 64

1959 Patient Population - 1,017

Last Patient Discharged - February 1973

Act 320 of 1973 Authorized Closing the State Sanatorium
(See Outline of Act 320 of 1973 here)

The Arkansas State Sanatorium Original Hospital
(circa 1919)
 

The Arkansas State Sanatorium Original Hospital
(circa 1930)

Celebrating 50 Years of Tuberculosis Treatment
(circa 1959)

This picture is of local women, dressed in period clothing, who were involved in  the day of pageantry and celebration.  Mr. Hansel Lipscomb, (Administrator 1955 - 1962) organized the event.

Pictured are (l to r):
Jewell Mae Smee, Jeanette Dunn, and Marge Olsen.

A series of post cards were produced depicting areas of the "Arkansas State Sanatorium."

These post cards, such as this one depicting the Kie Aldham Hospital Building, were available for patients and visitors to use for correspondence.

Kie Aldham Hospital Building
(circa 1940)

The Masonic Building
(circa 1950)

This building was built by the Belle Point Masons Lodge of Ft. Smith Arkansas in 1927 specifically for children with Tuberculosis.

The State opened a school for children patients in 1927.

A Post Card depicting an aerial view of the Main Complex circa approximately 1950.

Another post card (top) compared to the actual view today (bottom).

The back of the post card lists the following information:

"The Nyberg building (on the right) is 528 feet long, five stories high and has a 512 bed capacity.  It houses doctor's offices, laboratories, x-ray and pneumothorax rooms, employees' cafeteria and kitchen.  To the left is the Administration Building."

Although not mentioned, the Sanatorium Morgue was also located in the Nyberg Building.

The Nyberg and Administration Buildings
(circa 1945)

The Leo E. Nyberg Building

By far the most imposing structure on the Tuberculosis Sanatorium grounds is the main hospital - the Nyberg Building.

Started in 1938, the Nyberg building was completed in 1941.  Named after Arkansas State Senator Leo Nyberg, the building quickly became a center for the latest work in the treatment of tuberculosis and was renowned world-wide.

Senator Nyberg worked tirelessly to get the Nichols-Nyberg Act passed during the 1938 special Session of the Legislature to fund the construction of this facility and several others at the State Sanatorium in Booneville.  Suffering from tuberculosis himself, he passed away before the building was completed.

Due to his perseverance, however, Arkansas developed a state-of-the-art Tuberculosis Treatment Center.

The key to recovery from tuberculosis, it was believed at the time, was plenty of rest, relaxation and fresh air.  It was also believed, during part of this time, the aromatic scent of pine trees would combat the effects of tuberculosis.

Because of this, the first patients lived on screened-in porches year-round.

The spacious grounds of the Tuberculosis Sanatorium are relaxing to spend time on, even today.

The Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanatorium was a self-sustaining city of its own, complete with a municipal-like water & sewer system, as well as it own fire department.

The center also had its own farm, complete with dairy and swine operation, as shown on the postcard above.

Today, it is almost impossible for people to understand the degree of isolation for patients with tuberculosis during the Sanatorium years.

Historical Note:  The Chapel is the oldest building standing on the grounds today.  It started its life in 1926 as the Administration Building.

Even the most basic community needs had to be met on the grounds of the Tuberculosis Sanatorium, year-round.  In addition to the above mentioned services, the State Sanatorium had its own chapel, through which weekly services were held.

During its hey-day, the Arkansas State Tuberculosis Sanatorium had a population of patients and staff that was larger than the City of Booneville in the valley below.

One little-known resource available at the Booneville Public Library is the bound copies of the Sanatorium Outlook.  A bi-monthly publication of the Arkansas State Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Booneville, the newsletter has articles of interest to patients and families alike, as well as listing admissions and discharges.

Here, is shown the earliest copy available at the Booneville Public Library - January 1929.

This is the final issue of the Sanatorium Outlook - July/August 1970.