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Alexandria's downtown hospital began as the Alexandria Sanitarium in 1903 when a group of six physicians opened a 20-bed facility in a former hotel at the corner of Second and Lee streets. In 1905, a building was constructed at the corner of Third and Scott Streets by the Scott Street Land and Development Company, Dr. John L. Wilson, President.
In 1917 the property was given to the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and the name changed in 1919 to Baptist Hospital. The Convention operated the hospital for 53 years, completing expansions in 1936, 1941, 1944 and 1947.
In 1970 the hospital was released to become a not-for-profit community hospital, and the name was changed in 1971 to Rapides General Hospital.
The Rapides Regional Medical Center (RRMC) was established in 1981, and by 1990 included the Medical Terrace, Medical Plaza, Cancer Treatment Center and the Rapides Women's Hospital. In 1994 RRMC entered into a joint venture with Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation to become part of the Columbia Regional Health System.
Today, it is located just north of downtown Alexandria, against the Red River levee, on Fourth Street.
Other major medical facilities in the Alexandria area include:
For more information, visit the Rapides Regional Medical Center website.
Shown below are several vintage postcards showing the growth and evolution of the hospital during its earlier years in Alexandria.
Alexandria Sanitarium, Alexandria, La
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Baptist Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana
Baptist Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana
Baptist Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana
Baptist Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana
Rapides General Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana - circa 1970s
Alexandria's Oldest Hospital - Historical Marker
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