Thomasville History Series - Archbold Hospital
This geocache is located in a small garden adjacent to John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital. The original building, which faced Gordon Avenue, can still be seen from the geocache’s hiding spot. Look for the stucco building with green copper gutters that sits behind the new construction. Please don't park in reserved parking and obey all posted signage.
John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital was dedicated in the summer of 1925. The hospital was founded through the generous donation of John Foster Archbold in memory of his father, John Dustin Archbold. The Archbold’s owned Chinquapin Plantation, northwest of town, and were frequent visitors to the community. John D. Archbold sold his small oil refinery to Standard Oil and quickly rose through the ranks. By 1882 Archbold was Rockefeller’s closest confidant. Archbold ran Standard Oil, following the departure of Rockefeller, until his death in 1916.
Judge H.W. Hopkins, a prominent early Thomasvillian, served at the first President of Archbold when it opened as a modern 100 bed hospital in 1925
A detailed"history wall" and portraits of those who brought the hospital to where it is today are on display in the hospital's public lobby, steps from this geocache.
Archbold Hospital today with original building visible in bottom left
Historic postcard shows the original hospital through the pines
John D. Archbold
Archbold Hospital, 1925
THIS GEOCACHE IS JUST ONE OF SIXTEEN IN THE THOMASVILLE HISTORY GEOCACHING SERIES. THIS ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE SERIES LEADS GEOCACHERS ON AN EXCITING TOUR OF THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SERIES OR TO SEE THE ROUTE, CLICK HERE!