People's Sanitarium At 2314 Canal St.

[Highrise Tower]

I discovered a new, to me, sanitarium this week and thought I would share with HAIF. I'll try and keep the information in chronological order.

The Houston Post. dated July 24, 1910:

The Colored Sanitarium Will Be Dedicated This Afternoon.

The People's Sanitarium on German street has been completed and will be formally dedicated to its purpose- the free treatment of colored people- this afternoon at 3 o'clock at Mt. Zion Baptist church.

The People's Sanitarium is designed as a charitable institution and general sanitarium for the people of the colored race. In addition a free dispensary will be established for the benefit of the poor, weak, disabled, and afflicted people, where they may receive proper medical and surgical treatment free or charge.

It has been estimated by the promoters that there are approximate 30,000 colored people n and about the city of Houston with practically no faculties for their accommodation when sick and in distress.

The board of directors of the institution is appealing for financial encouragement.

The following program will be rendered at Mt. Zion Baptist Church this afternoon:
Song- Mt. Zion choir, assisted by choirs from other churches.
Prayer- Rev. J.E. Knox, D.D. Pastos, Bethal Baptist church.
The need of a Colored Sanitarium in Houston- Dr. B.J. Covington.
How should this Sanitarium be supported?- Dr. R.F. Ferrill.

Board of Directors: Dr. E.B. Ramsey, president; Dr. J.B. Covington, treasurer; Dr.  F.S. McDavid, secretary; Dr. E.A. Durham, Dr. J.D. Davis

Edit: German Street was renamed Canal Street at the outbreak of the first World War and by 1920

The Houston Post. dated May 5, 1911:

Colored Hospital
Charter Issued for Institution in Second Ward.

A charter has been issued for the "People's Sanitarium for Colored People," the institute being located in Houston. There is no capital stock. The incorporates are E.B. Ramsey, E.A. Durham, F.M. McDavid, B.J. Covington, and H. E. Lee.

The institute has been in operation for some time and is located in a large two-story frame building on German street in the Second ward.

One of the directors discussing the institution with a Poet representative stated that there are twenty rooms and that a great many negroes had been taken care of. When patients are able to pay, he stated, a nominal charge of $1 per day is made, but all worthy negroes who need attention and are not able to pay are taken care of.

"The white people," he stated, "have been liberal with the directors, if it ha not been for the help of the white friends of the negro it is doubtful if we could have undertaken the work."

The Houston Post. Dated October 29, 1914:

Eight Fire Alarms On Opening of Cold Snap.
Detective Flues Responsible for Several- Damages in Each Case Was Reported Slight.

Eight fire alarms, four of them being registered with an hour's time, were turned in Wednesday with the coming the cold snap that arrived early Wednesday morning--

The explosion of a gas stove at the People's Sanitarium, 2314 German Street, slightly damaged the interior of the room at 7:45 o'clock, this being the first of the four alarms that came in within an hour--

[Highrise Tower]

The resemblance of these two buildings from the 1910s caught my eye.

There is a thread on HAIF questioning the unknown building's identify. Thought I would post the resemblance, and a bump to find the answer for which building.

Unknown building:

The People's Sanitarium:

[Highrise Tower]

Not sure if this has been discussed before. German Street became Canal Street it appears?

10 years later, in 1920, the sanitarium was called Watt's Sanitarium and was located at 2314 Canal Street.

From the newspaper The Houston Informer dated July 24, 1920.

No Further Cause for Worry The Problem Is Solved

Dr. William Watts, surgeon, Watt's Sanitarium for colored people, 2314 Canal Street, Houston, Tex., wants the public to know that he is doing abdominal, pelvic and intestinal surgery.

He has cured thousands and can cure you. Have you seen the hospital? Go and be convinced. Forty bed capacity- Including tubercular ward. We must give him credit and our support.

He teaches our girls the art of nurse training and furnishes sick people with excellent quarters, care, and comfort. Their reputation is based upon the relief of those who have suffered long, by bringing about a perfect cure.

You will save time and money by going to Dr. Watts. For further information, Phone Capital 1802, 2314 Canal St., Houston, Texas. Catch the Franklin Avenue Street Car.