 HISTORY
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| D.M. Cogdell, a rancher, oilman and philanthropist for
whom the hospital was named, made an initial donation of land on which
the hospital could be built and $200,000 to add to the eight million
dollars raised by bond issue and federal funds to build the 50-bed
modern, well-equipped hospital. He established a trust to provide for
care of charity patients in the county's Cogdell Memorial Hospital, to
be constructed in Snyder. The source for the non-profit fund was to come
from 15 percent of Cogdell's profit from oil, gas, and minerals produced
on 641 acres in the Cogdell Field; which was in Scurry and Kent
Counties. This placed from $40,000 to $50,000 a year into the hospital
for charity. The hospital is located on the northwest
corner of Cogdell's 3,000 acre ranch just south of town on the Big
Spring highway. |
| On January 31, 1954 D.M. Cogdell Memorial Hospital had
its grand opening, marking a victory over what at times seemed
insurmountable obstacles and a milestone in the medical progress of Scurry
County. |
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In 1910, Dr.
Alonzo Orrin Scarborough, after having practiced in the county since
1886, opened Snyder's first hospital. The hospital contained modern
equipment with a private water and sanitation system. In 1912, however,
Dr. Scarborough closed the hospital because it was not
financially feasible to run. |
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In June
1927, Dr. I.A. Griffin, physician and surgeon from San Saba, along with
his wife and son, opened the Emergency Hospital at the insistence
and encouragement of Lee Stinson, local druggist, who realized the
pressing need for a hospital in the area. |
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The hospital
was located upstairs on the north side of the square. It had modern
equipment including the latest in x-ray machines and several private
rooms. The hospital was in operation until 1939, at which time it was
closed due to the ill health of Dr. Griffin. |
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The Snyder
General Hospital located at 2603 Avenue F was opened September 25, 1935,
thus fulfilling Snyder's long dream of a modern 14-bed open staff
hospital. The hospital closed twenty-three years later on September 6,
1958. |
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| In 1960 a two-story 50-bed unit was added to D.M. Cogdell
Memorial Hospital at a cost of approximately $750,000.
Later the obstetrical wing
was converted into a 10-bed cardiac intensive care unit.
D.M. Cogdell
Memorial Hospital continues to grow and expand to provide modern medical
facilities and services, as well as career opportunities, for the needs of the community.
For recent growth, see About Us.
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