Lawson General Hospital opened April 15, 1941, along Chamblee Tucker Road, West Hospital Avenue and Buford Highway. After the U. S. entered World War II, it was determined that the current medical facilities across the country were not adequate. Lawson General Hospital is one of several hospitals constructed to meet that need. Adjacent to Lawson was Naval Air Station Atlanta.
Almost a year later, in 1942, plans to improve the Lawson Hospital grounds with plants were underway. The area around the buildings had no trees, no grass and no blooming plants. The buildings were originally constructed quickly, but there was no landscaping. That meant a lot of red clay.
Celestine Sibley wrote about the upcoming improvements for the Atlanta Constitution, beginning with her thoughts on the season of Spring. “That well-known makes-you-want-to-live season of the year-the time of green-gold sunshine, sticky buds unfolding, birds singing in the trees, green grass-is going to have pretty tough going out at the new Army hospital this year.”
The Peachtree Garden Club, Atlanta affiliate of the Garden Club of America, took on the task, starting with the Red Cross building and recreation hall on the hospital property. They also planned terraces around the auditorium, croquet grounds, a horseshoe throwing space and more outdoor recreation. The garden club asked Atlanta gardeners to donate by digging out from their own plentiful gardens.
This image of Lawson General Hospital reflects the beautifying plan of 1942, with plenty of flowering shrubs and newly planted trees.
Mrs. Frank Neely was a member of the garden club committee and said, “It will mean refreshment of spirit to soldiers, airmen and sailors who have already made physical sacrifice for their country.”
Drop off locations were set up around the city of Atlanta for people to contribute plants. WPA workmen came on the Lawson grounds to plant flowering shrubs. Trees were planted for shade.
Celestine Sibley was a reporter, author, and columnist. She wrote for The Atlanta Constitution from 1941 to 1999. Her article on the landscape improvements of Lawson and the positive effect they would have for patients was written in the first year of her long career.
(Atlanta Constitution, January 20, 1942, “Shrubs sought for Lawson Hospital Area, Atlantans asked to help beautify grounds”)