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SPANISH HOSPITAL
Across Aviles street in thel8th century stood a Spanish hospital.
During the English occupation,of St. Augustine 1763-17,83 a carp enter and builder
named William Watson purchased and remodeled into a dwelling some stables
which stood on this spot. Soon thereafter.he built a ne.yr acrie a few ateps to
the southeast (Watson HouseJ), ad.hi'i former' house was rer.iade into a conL
valescent home. Soon after the Spaniards retook poF&ession,of the town a fire
destroyed the hospital. 'In about .791 the government purchased thl.convalescent
home and mqdidied it for use as ,a military hospital.. This present ,structure is
a restoration of that historic edifice,
Entering the street-docr a visitor first sees; the,.ap.theczary icp
with its antique pharmaceutical jars and equipment; here ,eiic.,: s we"e prepared
by the resident pharmacist, nmosty from local herbs. ,To the left i:s te rmorgue,
with its antique mortuary bed brought from S;pain and its crucifix and randl'e-
holders for use by mourners during the 24-hour wake following death. Beyond
this another door leads to the doctor's office; all fu::'ishirigs except the bed r.re
18th century. Beside the, door iL a'wail-hung bulletin board.with excerpts from
Royal Army Medical Corns regulations of the day. The large robmn beyond was
the Officers" Ward, being bigger, lighted, and A.rier than the 'est and including
a table for eating and car'd-p.laing'. Hung on one of the wall clothing-pegs is a
bed-wrench for period c tightening of ropes supporting the.,atraw-filled matter sses.
Through the next door can be seen the Enlist, 4 Men's Ward, with beds for
sergeants and a long shelf for lowly privates. (built for four. but in an er.ergency
could accommodate eight). At the rear is a small room the Isolatipn Ward.
Spanish Hospital--2
All rooms open on to a porch on the east side, for use by recuperating patients
on clement days and likewise for airing bedding.
The steep shingled roof, fireplaces, and glassed windows identify
this building as Second Spanish Period in style. Between it and the Watson
House archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a small stove.
SPANISH HOSPITAL
Across'Aviles street in thel8th cent'iry stood a .'Sanish hospital.
During the English occupation of St. Augusti-:e 17s,-1783 a carpenter aad builder
named William Watebn ptrcha ed aInd remodeled into a'dwelling some stables.
which stood on this spot. Soon thereafter a_. hb',ilt a na.w home a few stepF to
the-southeast (Watsona House)'"and his former" h~ise' was- remade into a con-
valescent home. So'a'after the Spaniards retook posses'ion.of the town a fire
destroyed the hospital.' In about 1791 the gzve'nmaent purchased the convalescent
home and modified:it for use aa a military hospital. This present structure is
a restoration of that historic edifice.-
Entering the street dooe' a visitor first sees the apothecary shop:
with its antique pharnaCeutirbal jars and equip'aent; h: ee mredicines were prepared
Sby the resident pharmacist, :nostly fom local herbs. To the left iLs the zme rgue,
with its antique mortuary, ,be brought from Spain and'its\crucifix and candle-
holders for use by 'itiurx 4r s -. L~nf the 24-ho-i, wake following.death. Beyond
this another door leads to'the doctor's office; all furnishings except the bed are
18th century. Beside the door is a wall-hung bulletin board with excerpts froi .
Royal Army Medic1z Corps regulations of the day. The large -oom beyond was
the Officers" Ward, being bigger, lighter, and airier than the rest and including
a table for eating and card-'p.i6ying. Hung on one of the wall clothing-pegs is a
bed-wrench for periodic tightening of ropes supporting the straw-filled mattresses.
Through the next door can be seen the Enlisted Men's Ward, with beds for
sergeants and a long, shelf Qfr lowly privates (built for four:but in an emergency
could accommodate eight). At the rear is a small room the. Isolation Ward.
^t.-w
Spanish Hospital--Z
All rooms open on to a porch on the east side, for use by recuperating patients
on clement days and likewise for airing bedding.
The steep shingled roof, fireplaces, and glassed windows identify
this building as Second Spanish Period in style. Between it and the Watson
House archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a small stove.
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