Belton Sanitarium

On September 5, 1916, Belton citizens were invited to the opening of the Belton Sanitarium, a magnificent building of white stone covered in stucco located at the corner of 2nd Street and Pearl Street. Completed at a cost of $22,000, it was a state-of-the art hospital for the county seat of Bell County.

On September 5, 1916, Belton citizens were invited to the opening of the Belton Sanitarium, a magnificent building of white stone covered in stucco located at the corner of 2nd and Pearl Streets. Completed at a cost of $22,000, it was a state-of-the art hospital, equipped with an electrical operating room and implements. The hospital accommodated about twenty patients in private rooms with each patient having access to an adjustable light over the bed, electric call bell and fan, and a telephone. The kitchen was also electrically equipped, thus providing the best sanitation. The entire building was steam-heated.

The building, formerly a steam laundry, belonged to the Woman’s Commonwealth of Belton. The Sanctified Sisters earned a significant income from laundry service to their own Central Hotel. The hotel was sold in 1899 when the sisters left Belton. A group of Belton businessmen, in cooperation with several Belton doctors, formed a stock company and purchased the building as a hospital. Baker Brothers contractors of Temple repaired and remodeled the structure.

The doctors eventually bought out the stock and became owners of the hospital. Associated with the hospital in the early days were Doctors M. P. McElhannon, A. B. Crane, S. L. Mayo, O.N. Mayo, and later Doctors Boren, Ballard, and Pittman. The first superintendent of the sanitarium was Miss M. A. Dorvin of San Antonio. She had previously been employed as the head of the hospital department at the Southwestern Insane Asylum.

For more than a quarter of a century, the sanitarium served the people of Belton. By 1945 the sanitarium could no longer accommodate the needs of the community. The doctors Sewell purchased the stock interest in the sanitarium and planned a new building. Dr. J. G. Sewell and his brother, H. W. Sewell came to Belton in 1939 and 1941 respectively. Both were practicing physicians and surgeons.

The new hospital, called the Sewell Hospital, was a one-story structure with 40 rooms facing Pearl Street. It began operation in 1946. Waiting rooms were located at the front of the building. The hospital also housed operating rooms, delivery room, nursery, and X-ray department. An electro-cardiograph machine was included in the new equipment. Along the north portion of the T-shaped building were the emergency room, physiotherapy department, laboratory, nurses’ quarters, kitchen, and dining room. The kitchen featured all-steel cabinets, sinks, and storage space. A long wing extending east toward the post office contained the patient rooms which were painted in pastel shades of pink, blue, green, and yellow. Some rooms had adjoining baths, but all were outfitted with new light fixtures and furniture including beds, dressers, cabinet tables, and leather upholstered chairs.

George Eads purchased the old Belton Sanitarium building. Eads and his father were partners in the Eads Funeral Home. In 1947 he opened the Ranch House Hotel following a complete transformation of the building, both inside and out. The new ranch style decor featured Western touches such as simulated cedar wainscoting, desert murals on the dining room walls, and wagon wheel chandeliers. Each piece of furniture was marked with the “GE” brand. The new hotel filled a long-felt need in the community and was well-received by the citizens of Belton.

"Belton's New Sanitarium Opens Tuesday." The Belton Journal (Belton, TX), August 31, 1916.

"George Eads Purchases Belton Hospital Building." The Belton Journal (Belton, TX), February 07,1945.

"Hundreds Visit New Eads Hotel for Open House." The Belton Journal (Belton, TX), April 10, 1947. 

"New Sewell Hospital Begins Operation." The Belton Journal (Belton, TX), August 26, 1946.