Building a Medical Center:

The Construction of the 1955 Medical College Hospital

Roper Hospital, circa 1885

<< Previous | Next >>

The first of three hospitals named Roper Hospital, seen at its original Queen Street location. It opened for regular use in 1856 at which time the cost for patients was twenty-five cents per day.

During the later part of the 19th century, the city of Charleston leased the property and operated what was called the City Hospital in the Roper facility. The earthquake of 1886 badly damaged the building which was effectively condemned until repairs could be made. By 1891 the building was repaired and leased by the Charleston Medical School (different from the Medical College) and later by The Citadel. The building was never used as a hospital again and was converted to apartments. Hurricane Hugo finished what the earthquake started, and the remnants of the building on Queen Street were demolished in 1989.