Abstract:
Over half a century ago polio killed or crippled thousands of adults and children. The disease had Americans living in fear every summer. In May 1944, the disease came to the Catawba River Valley. Almost one-third of the county's children were victims of the illness. Surrounding hospitals, including Charlotte Memorial, were full. County citizens responded by erecting and opening in just fifty-four hours a fully-functioning fifty-five bed hospital in Hickory. When these beds were filled, citizens expanded the structures. By September the hospital had 250 beds serving 400 patients. Through this heroic effort of citizens and medical staff, many victims of polio were saved.