New England socialite Hope Goddard Iselin and her husband, Charles Oliver Iselin, were part of the American aristocracy who would winter in mansions built in Aiken towards the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth. This district of town became known as the Winter Colony. The winter residents brought with them the elite sports of polo and Thoroughbred racing, which remain popular in Aiken today. The Islelins’ grand estate, Hopelands Gardens, is now a public garden that attracts both history and nature lovers. Committed philanthropists, the Iselins established the Aiken Hospital and Relief Society in 1917 and commissioned Aiken’s first hospital, built by African-American contractors McGhee and McGhee.
Locals tell the story of Hope Iselin, an adventurer who competed in the America’s Cup yacht race as the first female crew member, winning a considerable sum of money in a poker game. According to the tale, she then tried to donate it to a local church that refused the money on the grounds that it was acquired through gambling. Wishing to apply her winnings towards the good of others, she is said to have used it to build the hospital. Whether this legend is true or not, the Iselins are responsible for the construction of the 6,000-square-foot building that served the Aiken Hospital and Relief Society until it closed tin 1924. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1927 and officially became the Aiken County Hospital in 1936 with support from the Public Works Administration and the Duke Foundation.
The county hospital remained here until 1976 when a new hospital was built. The old hospital building was then utilized by the Aiken County government as administrative space until the new Aiken County Complex was completed in 2014. Today the Old Aiken Hospital is used for storage space for the county government. The future of the building is uncertain.
I think they should put some old hospital equipment in a few rooms so people could see how it looked before. I’ll say there are still souls roaming that building. It looks nice cause of the old brickwork. Another thing, I was born in that hospital on March 25, 1969. What a great year.
I am looking for information about a mental institution in Aiken SC during the 1930s and 40s. I understand it was a very upscale hospital and some celebrities went there for rehabilitation. I am interested in the history and wondered it was this building?
Grandmother (Hattie Stalling Jones) died in this hospital in 1965 … very familiar with grounds in and around building. O, how I miss my granny!
I live in NJ at this time and my sister relocated to Aiken a good 10 years ago. I am looking to retire in Aiken and I worked in a hospital in NJ and was interested in the Aiken Hospital. I came upon this information and it was very interesting to me. Thanks for this information.
I was born there on May 14, 1949….I have my birth certificate reflecting that…
I was born in The Aiken City Hospital on 4/28/1954. Lost my birth certificate and how can I get a copy ? Thanks
You will have to ask the Department of Vital Records: http://www.scdhec.gov/VitalRecords/BirthCertificates/ I hope this helps. Best of luck!
You may obtain this via South Carolina DHEC vital records.
I was born on August 12, 1950 at Aiken County Hospital. I know that my B/M is probably deceased but I know that I have 3 siblings. Is there any way I can find any information that would help me on my search. I need info for health purposes and I would like to get in touch with them. If anyone can tell me any way that I can get addition info please let me know. Thank you, Richard Chumley
I am doing research on a certain Dr. Cicero Parker Meek (1914 – 1979) who worked at the old county hospital. This is the reason why I came across your site. Please: Would you allow me to use the photographs of the old county hospital for a lecture on the MEEK-Technique, and: Could you help me to find further information about Meek himself? He died unrecognized and I want to refresh our Memories to this wonderful surgeon. Thank you, Carsten Krohn
Hi, Carsten. We only use the contributed images we post for preservation purposes; the photos actually belong to the photographers. However, if they have a link, you are free to write the photographer and request the use of the image. Best of luck in your endeavors!
Check with the newspaper here, Aiken Standard. I am sure they have numerous pictures of this building. Good luck!
Carsten Krohn, if you are looking for more information about Dr. Cicero Parker Meek (1914 – 1979), I am his great niece and can possibly help.