Fenwick Sanitarium
| Fenwick Sanitarium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Opened | 1899 |
| Closed | 1965 |
| Demolished | 2023 |
| Current Status | Closed |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Location | Covington, LA |
| Alternate Names |
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History[edit]
After relocating from Abbeville to Covington, Dr. F.F. Young built a sanitarium in Covington, and over the years it moved from one location to another. The Southern Hotel was used for a time, as was "Glen Cottage" and a couple of new buildings. Fire destroyed two of his facilities. “The New Fenwick Sanitarium,” billed as one of the finest institutions in the South, was moved to Covington for several reasons. The Covington/Abita Springs area already had an established reputation for health-recuperating qualities, due to the air and water. The "Ozone Belt" was known world-wide for its resistance to recent health epidemics.
According to a 1910 booklet about Covington, the Glen Cottage was one of the most popular and successful select private resorts at Covington. The house was a new building with all of the modern improvements. Every room opened onto broad galleries. Glen Cottage was noted for its home comforts, French cookery and its out door recreations which included basketball, a tennis court, etc. The house was open from March to November, and was situated on the edge of Covington in one of the most picturesque of locations.
In 1925 the Fenwick Sanitarium then in use burned to the ground. Labelled "the most disastrous fire Covington has had for some time," an article in the Farmer stated that the fire occurred just before noon on Saturday, April 11. It was discovered while all the residents had gathered for dinner and "by the time the alarm was given it had gained such headway that it could not be subdued." Only part of the furniture on the ground floor was saved. "The Fenwick Sanitarium was considered to be one of the best in the South. It is not known just what arrangements will be made for its reconstruction or its new quarters. The patients are at this time being cared for at various quarters, as could best be arranged," according to the article.
In 1935, the Fenwick Sanitarium was renovated and became the Palms Hospital with forty private patient rooms. Each room had a lavatory, a brass bed and a mirrored dresser. Majestic stained glass transom and cut glass front door gave the Palms Hospital a look of distinction. A group of physicians purchased the Palms Hospital in 1945, and operated the hospital for more than twenty years. It was converted to residential apartments in 1974.
