From the photo archives: May 4, 1953 – a groundbreaking moment in STHS history
The inaugural members of the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Commission – from left, Dr. M.J. Duplantis, Norma Core, Chairman Oliver J. Hebert, L.L. Landon and Vice-Chairman Gus Fritchie – attend the groundbreaking of St. Tammany Parish Hospital, now St. Tammany Health System. (STHS file image)
Note: This story is part of an occasional series highlighting key moments in St. Tammany Health System history. Read the health system's full history at www.sttammany.health/STHShistory.
St. Tammany Health System’s story began in earnest nearly 66 years ago, in early December 1954, when local officials cut the ribbon on the newly built St. Tammany Parish Hospital on a wooded plot along the then-sleepy Highway 21.
In reality, though, the health system’s history goes back much further than that. In fact, on-and-off efforts to build a community-based Northshore hospital had been going on at least since 1933. They finally picked up steam in fall 1946, with the Women’s Progressive Union emerging as one of the hospital’s earliest and most vocal champions -- and with the federal Hill-Burton Act providing key funding.
Finally, on May 4, 1953 – 67 years ago this month – the first spade of dirt was turned as part of a groundbreaking ceremony held near the corner of Highway 21 and 11th Avenue. In attendance were the inaugural members of the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Commission: Dr. M.J. Duplantis, Norma Core, Chairman Oliver J. Hebert, L.L. Landon, and Vice-Chairman Gus Fritchie.
With that, a hospital was born, and St. Tammany Parish took another step toward healthier living.
That groundbreaking moment is captured in the historic photo above. Local news reports collected in a vintage scrapbook kept by Hebert’s wife, Cecile Hebert, can be seen in the images below.
