Freeman-Greene County Hospital

Job Freeman became the interested in Greene County coal fields and relocated to Linton in 1893, constructing a palatial Victorian-style limestone residence with a veranda-styled front porch at Fourth and Northeast A streets which was to become the hosptial.

Upon departing Linton, the Freemans donated their home to be used as Linton's first public hospital, fully equipping it as a health care facility.

Freeman City Hospital, established in June 1912, and somewhere along the line the name was changed to Freeman-Greene County Hospital expanding over the years. The hospital was a two-story building.

The Common Council of Linton proposed and adopted and ordiance on 7 February 1928, and with the corresponding action by the Greene County Board of Commissioners, which provided the transfer of the Freeman City Hospital to Greene County for the establishment of Freeman-Greene County Hospital.

3 April 1929 were the first recorded minutes of the re-organized hospital. They reported the formal transfer of the hospital from the city to Linton to Greene County. They also reported that there were 29 patients (17 self-pay and 12 township pay) that were cared for in the month of March, one birth and 3 deaths were also noted as occuring. The finfanicial report was that collected was $1149.98 -- $ of which was $784.98 regular and $401.00 county

The first major expansion was the annex completed in 1938, which included the kitchen and afeteria facilities, heating plant, and 32 beds.

Black-out drill were preformed during World War II which used special black-out curtains. The hospital was also equipped with special surgerical lights to be used during a black out. With the Naval Ammunition Depot in Crane, being so close there was the possiblity of being bombed and any threat was taken seriously

In 1954, another expansion took place which added a surgical room, delivery room, X-ray department, clinical laboratory, emergency department, and 16 beds. At that time, 130 employees were working at the hospital.

Construction on the new hospital was started December 10, 1970, and completed in 1972. It is located at the intersection of Lone Tree Road and Highway 54, two miles east of Linton.

On 10 December 1970 the new hospital began consruction two miles east of the city limits at the intersection of Lone Tree Road and State Road 43 east ( R.R. 1. Box 1000. Linton, IN 47441). The three-story brick and limestone building has a capacity for 76 patients. The new hospital includes an intensive care unit for coronary patients and post-surgical patients, in addition to X-ray, laboratory, and therapy facilities. In 1972 Freeman- Greene County Hospital opened up in a new facility.

Again somewhere in the ensuing years the change was changed again to Greene County General Hospital.

The former Freeman residence was razed on Sept. 25, 1985 by the Kanese Excavating Demolition Company from Jasper. SThie former hopital site is now occupied by a Wendy’s restaurant which was opened at the location on March 10, 1986. .

On 1 Febraury 2003, the Greene County General Hospital was designated by CMS and the Indiana State Department of Health to become a "Critical Access Hospital". This status should assist the hospital in pursuing it's mission and continue to grow and provide up-to-date technology, the best qualified employees and new services to the community.

Last updated 22.10.2009