In 1800, the “Negro” population of Columbus Ohio was 43. Between 1840 and 1850, the number swelled from 805 to 1,607. During the post Civil War period, northern migration attributed to settlement of African-American families to the Mt. Vernon Avenue, Long Street, and Champion Avenue. The poorest of Southern immigrants lived in shacks and ramshackle homes known as “Blackberry Patch”.
Businesses along Mt. Vernon and Long thrived. In 1900, there were 9,000 African-Americans and between 1918 and 1922, the population doubled.
In the 1920’s, jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Cab Calloway played the clubs which lined the area.
Beyond the entertainment, business, and economics of the area, African-Americans struggled to find adequate health care. Dr. James Tyler, the first Black physician recorded in Columbus, opened his office in 1893. This was during a time when Northern colleges limited Black enrollment and White Southern medical colleges did not admit Black students at all. As late as the 1930’s, “the majority of Negro physicians had not yet been given staff privileges”. There was much work to be done.
William Arthur Method was born on February 19th, 1881 in Bainbridge, Ohio to Charles Clinton Method and Keziah Foster Lowery.
He graduated from Frankfurt Ohio High School then went on to study at Wilberforce University. He entered Ohio Medical University, graduating in 1906. He married Ada Pearl Ridgway, daughter of Isabelle Ridgway. They conceived one son, Charles Method.
In May 1920, with friend and Dentist; Dr. R. M. Tribett, he built the Alpha Hospital on the corner of East Long and 17th.
“The two story colonial building had first floor office suites (of Drs. Tribett and Method) which opened up into a reception room. There was a consultation room, private operating room, and a laboratory. The second floor housed the women’s ward, accommodating 6 patients, the men’s ward, accommodating three patients, two private rooms, nurse’s quarters, anaesthetizing room, operating room and baths. The basement contained a diet kitchen, dining room, dark room, clinical laboratory and a modern heating plant. The hospital owned complete sterilizing equipment and X-Ray equipment.”
The hospital was said to be “a thoroughly modern institution equipped with latest scientific appliances”.
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