Imagine a time when tuberculosis cast a long shadow. It caused more deaths than any other disease in Boston. This is the story of the Boston Sanatorium. It once stood as a beacon of hope amidst widespread disease.
The Boston Sanatorium, originally named the Boston Consumptives Hospital, addressed a critical need. In 1906, Boston’s death rate from consumption ranked third highest in the nation. Ten percent of all deaths in Boston were due to pulmonary tuberculosis. City leaders established the Consumptives Department. They were determined to combat this rampant disease.
The chosen site for the hospital was the former estate of John Conness. He was a California senator and friend of Abraham Lincoln. The location in Mattapan offered fresh air. Open surroundings were considered essential for treating tuberculosis patients.
Architects Maginnis and Walsh designed the first hospital buildings. Their designs emphasized simplicity. They focused on maximizing sunlight and fresh air. The buildings featured numerous windows and open floor plans. Tunnels connected the buildings. Some tunnels carried foot traffic. Others carried mechanical equipment.
Treatment at the Boston Sanatorium reflected the era’s understanding of tuberculosis. Bed rest was a cornerstone of treatment. Patients spent many months in bed. Stress was strictly avoided. The Boston Sanatorium had 420 beds. It was the largest tuberculosis treatment facility in Massachusetts.
The Boston Sanatorium divided patients into two classes. There were patients needing constant bed treatment. There were also patients able to be up and about. Large two-story ward buildings housed the most seriously ill. A day camp and open cottages accommodated those with moderate cases. The focus was on isolating patients to prevent further spread of the disease.
The Boston Sanatorium complex evolved over time. By 1916, it could accommodate 400 patients. A separate Children’s Ward was added. It addressed the increasing number of young patients.
In 1921, the facility’s name changed to the Boston Sanatorium. In 1927, it became part of the Boston Hospital Department. The administration undertook improvements. Eight new buildings were constructed between 1929 and 1933. Architect James H. Ritchie designed these buildings. They included an administration building and nurses’ home. They also included open-air wards.
As tuberculosis declined, the Boston Sanatorium adapted. Treatment shifted toward mental health. Later, it shifted toward rehabilitation. Today, the Administration Building is known as the Boston Specialty Rehabilitation Hospital. The Nurses Home houses an addiction rehabilitation program. The Doctor’s Residence is used for the Boston Police Stress Program.
The Boston Sanatorium was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. It stands as a reminder of Boston’s fight against tuberculosis. It showcases architectural styles from Italianate to Art Deco.