The old downtown clinic was demolished a few years ago. Fortunately; through the magic of Google Street View, it is still visible for the time being and with this blog post, possibly for posterity. While out of use for many years and not architecturally significant, it represented a special commitment to the community by a select group of concerned individuals that is worthy of our remembrance.
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| Oil City Clinic sometime in early 2010s |
During its early boomtown days, Oil City had as many as three physicians practicing locally. However by 1950, the town had not had a full-time doctor for approximately 12 years. To address this need, members of the Oil City Rotary Club formed a non-profit corporation that issued $30,000 of stock, the vast majority of which was purchased by members. This organization was led by the following officers:
- Lewis W. Watts, president
- O. B. Roberts, vice-president
- Tilman W. "T.W." Greer, secretary
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| Lewis Watts, Sr. |
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| T. W. Greer |
Additional board members were:
- J. K. Butler, Sr.
- Alvin Johnson
- E. D. Markham
Using the capital raised, a two-story brick medical clinic was constructed containing the following amenities:
- Medical offices for white and black patients. In that day of racially-segregated accommodations, the facilities were said to have been of "equal" quality.
- Doctor's private office
- Treatment room
- Emergency operating room
- Pharmacy
The second floor was designed with intent to eventually accommodate eight hospital rooms. However, until demand warranted, the rooms were rented out as office space. The enterprise being non-profit, investors only received compensation for original investment after retirement of associated debt. This essentially interest-free loan showed their unselfish commitment to the betterment of the community.
In 1951, Dr. Calvert Otto Sellers, M.D. (1904-1979) moved into the new facility, where per his obituary, he practiced from 1952 to 1959.
Below, Dr. Calvert O. Sellers and Mr. Lewis W. Watts stand in front of the new clinic. A second story was later added.
Shreveport Journal 07-Mar-1951, Page 7
A March 1952 Shreveport Times article featuring Oil City, touted the new clinic as evidence of the community's growth. The attached bronze plaque stated its purpose "Dedicated to the Relief of Suffering Humanity."
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| Shreveport Times 11-Mar-1952, Page 8 |
Billy Wayne Floyd, MD (1933-2001) practiced at the clinic from July 1960 through May 1961.
He graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and medical school (presumably at LSU or Tulane), and became a newly licensed physician in 1959..
In June 1961, it was announced he was joining Dr. John F. Hall, Jr., MD at the Sunset Clinic in Shreveport. After Dr. Floyd's departure, the lone tenant of the building for many was the pharmacy of eventual owner T. W. Greer (1898-1980), where he filled prescriptions while wife Addine worked the shop comprised of sundries and gift items (cards, candy, etc.) out front. Mr. Greer served as Oil City Mayor from 1964-1968.
Here is a view of the place on the building where the aforementioned plaque was once attached, followed by a picture of the plaque.
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| Google Street View prior to demolition |
Photo by Chris Allen
Per this aerial view from Google maps, all that remains is a concrete slab.
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| Google Maps View, 02-Dec-2016 |
Local medical services are currently provided by Dr. Karen S. Walker, M.D. at the Willis-Knighton clinic located on Hwy 1. Time passes and things change. But let this page pay tribute to those who in their time were committed to serving the needs of the community in the best way possible.
Sources not previously cited:
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