Charleston Naval Hospital District Threatened by New Rail Line

Posted: October 19, 2017

The Charleston Naval Hospital District (CNHD) on the former Navy Base in North Charleston is a nationally significant medical complex where thousands of soldiers injured in Europe or Africa during World War II were treated. Important advances in military medicine were made here during the war. The site’s historical significance (and HCF’s advocacy efforts) prompted the  National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) to name the CNHD as one of the 11 Most Endangered Places in America, after Palmetto Railways proposed to construct a rail line directly through the district.

Palmetto Railways’ suggested plan for an Intermodal Container Transfer Facility would destroy 9 of the 32 buildings included in the historic district. As a result, the CNHD would be removed from the National Register. The rail line also would restrict the use of at least 19 additional buildings from potential repurposing. HCF continues to urge Palmetto Railways to reconsider its proposed path and use a parallel right of way that is on land already reserved for rail purposes.

Don Campagna of the Naval Order of the United States, a strategic partner in these advocacy efforts, reminds us of the CNHD’s importance: “This is the place where the wounded warriors of the Greatest Generation were healed by a grateful nation.” HCF will continue to advocate for CNHD’s protection, especially as there is a viable alternative available that would not compromise the ultimate functionality of Palmetto Railways’ plans.

Palmetto Railways has requested a permit to build the new complex and rail lines from The Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is studying the matter, and is expected to make a determination within the next two months.  As a Consulting Party to this environmental review process, HCF will continue to advocate for the protection of the CNHD with local, state and federal officials.

3 responses to “Charleston Naval Hospital District Threatened by New Rail Line”

1. Marnette Bowen says:

   November 3, 2017 at 9:59 pm

   Oh Please – Palmetto Railways – pick another city to ruin. Charleston is about history and if YOU – Palmetto Railways can not respect our history – that will be lost forever – than YOU do not get the contract. Out of here – we say. Out because we are about our history and preserving our history – Forever! Not just some of it – ALL if it. This city is special only because some people (not use of course) cared enough to step forward and PRESERVE what they had at the time….and preserve more…and now we have this beautiful historic city because of one preservation after another. If you can’t preserve – then go away!
   We don’t want you. We WILL find another way. We will preserve our history AND find another way to improve WITHOUT destroying the history we have.

   Reply
   • Angela Tambini says:

     September 7, 2018 at 6:16 pm

     Although I don’t live in Charleston, my family first settled there in late 1700s and I enjoy when we can visit and go to the First Presbyterian Church to view relatives graves. Also, my husband a retired Naval Officer, had very serious neuro-surgery at the Charleston Naval Hospital in 1968 which was successful. So I feel a great attachment to Charleston, S.C.! We LOVE Charleston! Marnette, you are so right – we must preserve our history. Thank you for speaking out.
     Angela T.

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2. Ronald Lietha says:

   December 29, 2019 at 9:32 am

   SAVE the Hospital site, I was stationed there in 1957-58 time period as a Hospital Corpsman & I got married in the hospital Chapel by LT M.O. Scott My first son was born in Charleston, MUCH history. Also there must have literally been in the thousands of Corpsmen, Doctors, Nurses, civilian personnel & on & on that have fond memories of the old Hospital complex
   Ronald Lietha
   Tomahawk Wi
   [email protected]

   Reply