Historic California Posts, Camps, Stations and Airfields

Hammond General Hospital

(including Vernalis Reconditioning Center and Vernalis Prisoner of War Branch Camp)

 

 

Main Gate, Hammond General Hospital

History

by Sgt Maj Daniel M. Sebby, Military Historian, California Military Department

On 2 March 1942, the initial acreage required for the establishment of Hammond General Hospital was acquired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by fee purchase from the County of Stanislaus with an additional 40 acres acquired on 16 June 1942 by condemnation proceedings against the Modesto Irrigation District. Almost immediately after acquiring the first parcel of land, the USACE began building the 2,540 bed general hospital using standard Quartermaster Corps (who had the U.S. Army’s general construction mission prior to 4 December 1941) and USACE 700-, 800-, and 1100-series plans for wood framed wards, clinics, barracks, and support buildings. On the eastern portion of the hospital, a cantonment area using mostly TOS-series buildings was constructed for hospital patient and garrison overflow as well as for Army Ground Forces units training at the hospital. Hammond General Hospital specialized in neurology, general and orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and psychiatry. On 6 March 1943, the hospital was designated as one of five thoracic surgery centers, and the only one on the West Coast. The center remained at Hammond General Hospital until August 1944 when it was transferred to Baxter General Hospital in Spokane, Washington. Hammond General Hospital also maintained six “detention wards” for the mentally ill and a prison ward, all of which were surrounded by security fencing.

The hospital was named in honor of Brigadier General William Alexander Hammond (1828-1900), who was appointed as the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. Hammond energetically began reforming the Medical Department. He eliminated much of the red tape of the prewar service, created the general hospital service, saw that competent medical men were appointed to high-level positions, provided assistance and medical information to surgeons in the field, and oversaw the establishment of an efficient ambulance corps. Hammond also created two large government operated drug laboratories to produce high quality medicines for the army. Hammond could be autocratic and tactless, and he clashed with Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. As a result, Stanton had him court-martialed on a petty charge and dismissed from the army in August 1864. After the Civil War, Hammond was the primary impetus behind the founding of the American Neurological Association and his signature was the first listed on the original membership invitation letter of 1874. Hammond's court-martial was overturned in 1878 by an act of Congress, and he was restored to the rank of brigadier general. He was placed on the retired list the following year and continued his efforts to advance the field of neurology.

In addition to the hospital’s permanent garrison, Service Command Unit (SCU) 1975, at least two Army Ground Forces units, the 47th and 77th Field Hospitals, were stationed at Hammond General Hospital prior to their deployment overseas. SCU 1975 was subordinate to the Army Service Forces’ 9th Service Command headquartered at Fort Douglas, Utah.

By 1945, the Hammond General Hospital was a 2,556-bed facility with approximately 240 buildings and other structures, including 78 wards, clinics, barracks, offices, warehouses, 6 mess halls, pump houses, and utility shops. The building inventory is presented in Table 3-2 and the general layout is shown in figures 3-1 through 3-5.

4,427 linear feet of railway siding that spurs off of Southern Pacific Railroad Fresno Line used for patient and freight transportation; road system consists of 1,796 square yards of paved (bituminous) roads, 18,276 square yards of gravel roads, and 30,286 square yards of paved parking and storage area;

The 31 December 1945 War Department report, Owned, Leased and Sponsored Facilities, Hammond General Hospital is shown to have operated a convalescent section and a 250 man prisoner of war branch camp located near the town of Vernalis. This information is included in this report for operational history purposes only and this site is not otherwise included in this report.

In December 1945 Hammond General Hospital was closed by the U.S. Army. With the closing of the hospital, the State of California set its eyes on the facility as a possible state mental hospital. On 20 December 1945, Governor Earl Warren sent a telegraph to the Federal Surplus Property Administration (after March 1946, the War Assets Administration (WAA)) expressing an interest in acquiring the former Hammond General Hospital for that purpose. On 9 April 1946, the USACE reported the Site as surplus to the needs of the U.S. Army to the WAA who assumed jurisdiction over the Site.

In a letter dated 19 April 1946 to Lieutenant General E.B. Gregory, Chairman of the WAA; General Omar N. Bradley, Director of the Veterans Administration, waived any claim to the hospital, thus clearing the way for the State of California to obtain the Site. On 17 November 1946, the WAA granted a Right of Entry to the State of California to begin the process of converting the former Hammond General Hospital into a state hospital pending a formal transfer of the facility. Through the WAA, the former Hammond General Hospital and its assets (i.e., medical and support equipment) were quitclaim deeded to the State of California on 20 October 1947, who operated it as the Modesto State Hospital under the Department of Mental Hygiene (After 1971, Department of Mental Health) until 1970.

On 6 and 10 August 1970, the State of California respectively quitclaimed the former Hammond General Hospital/Modesto State Hospital to the Yosemite Junior College District and the County of Stanislaus. On 17 March 1947 and 12 October 1978, the County of Stanislaus quitclaimed two parcels to the Yosemite Junior College District. The Yosemite Junior College District developed their portions of the Site into the West Campus of Modesto Junior College. The County of Stanislaus has developed their portion of the former Hammond General Hospital/Modesto State Hospital into a consolidated juvenile justice center.

 

Army Units Assigned to Hammond General Hospital

 

Data Source	Date(s)	Unit(s)
Army of the United States Station List	1 June 1943	Army Service Forces: 77th General Hospital 1975th Service Command Unit (Station Complement)
Army of the United States Station List	7 April 1945	Army Service Forces: 1975th Service Command Unit (Station Complement) Area Veterinary Detachment Women's Army Corps Detachment

 

 

Building Inventory

Building No.	Army Use / State Hospital Use	Type	Comment
T-1	Dental Clinic / Out Patient After Care Clinic	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1445, 25x112
T-2	Infirmary / Psychology	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1429(A) 25x81.  Used for outpatient services.
T-3	Nurses Quarters / Employee Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1237(C-6), 29x80
T-4	Nurses Quarters / Employee Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-1239, 29x80
T-5	Gate	Data not available	Data not available
T-6	Nurses Quarters / Employee Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-7	Nurses Quarters / Employee Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-8	Nurses Quarters /Employee Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A),  29x150
T-9	Nurse & Officer Recreation Building / Auditorium (Recreation Room)	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-1120(A), 45x135
T-10	Data not available	Data not available	Data not available
T-11	Clinic / Admissions Unit	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-474, 25x150.  The January 1946 Public Health Service report identifies this building as a laboratory.
T-12	Clinic / Eye Clinic	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-484(A), 25x111.  The December 1946 Public Health Service report identifies this building as the Gastroenterology Urology Clinic.
T-13	Officers’ Mess / Employee’s Dining Room	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1530(1) 45x85
T-14	Officers’ Quarters / Physician’s Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-15	Officers’ Quarters / Social Services	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-16	Administration / Administration	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1417, 92x120
T-17	Nurses Quarters / Nursing Education Director and Instructors	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-18	Nurses Quarters / Employee Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-19	Nurses Quarters / Employee Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-20	Nurses Quarters / Employee Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1240(A), 29x150
T-21	Nurses Mess / Patients Dining Room	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1530(1), 44x129
T-22	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1), 34x150
T-26	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 1100-665, 34x150
T-24	Combination Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1), 34x150
T-25	Combination Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1), 34x150
T-26	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 1100-665, 34x150
T-27	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-28	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-29	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-30	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-31	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-32	Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat Clinic / Pharmacy, Library Staff and Offices	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1507, 47x160
T-33	Clinic & Surgery / Clinic, Dressing, Anesthetist and Offices	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1519, 33x184
T33 ½	Dental Clinic / Dental Clinic	Wood Frame	Plan 124-25-188, 30x80
T-34	X-Ray & Medical Library Building / Clinic, X-Ray, Surgical-Internal Medicine	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1519, 25x152
T-35	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-36	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-37	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-38	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-39	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood  floor	Plan 1100-600, 34x150
T-40	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-41	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-42	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150.  Public Health Service report identifies this building as the maternity ward with a capacity of 10 bassinettes.
T-43	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-44	Combination Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-45	Combination Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-46	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-47	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-48	Standard Ward / Patients Dining Room	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-600, 34x150
T-49	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-50	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-51	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-52	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-53	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-54	Physiotherapy / Physiotherapy Transient Unit	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-438(8), 25x1638
T54 ½	Central Supply	Data not available	23.33x18.17
T-55	Telephone Building / Telephone Building	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 124-25-38(1-2), 25x50
T-56	Post Office / Post Office, Linen Service and Barber Shop	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-210(A-1) 28x92
T-57	Post Exchange / Canteen	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1412(A-1), 37x118
T-58	Patient Recreation Building / Rehabilitative Services and Theater	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1487, 117x146
T-59	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-60	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-61	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-62	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-600, 34x150
T-63	Standard Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-64	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-65	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-66	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-67	Combination Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-68	Combination Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-463(H-1) 34x150
T-69	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-70	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-71	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-72	Patients Mess / Main Kitchen	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1536(2), 41x181
T-73	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-600, 34x150
T-74	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-75	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-76	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-77	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-78	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-79	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-80	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-81	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-462(E-1), 34x150
T-82	Standard Ward/ Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-600, 34x150
T-83	Patients Mess / Patient Dining Room	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1536(2), 41x181
T-84	Detention Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150. Surrounded by security fencing.
T-85	Detention Ward / Men’s Ward /	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150. Surrounded by security fencing.
T-86	Detention Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150. Surrounded by security fencing.
T-87	Detention Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150. Surrounded by security fencing.
T-88	Detention Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150. Surrounded by security fencing.
T-89	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-90	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-91	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-92	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-93	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-94	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-95	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-96	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-97	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-98	Medical Detachment Barracks	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-99	Medical Detachment Administration / Occupational Therapy Shop	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-210(A-1), 20x60
T-100	Medical Detachment Mess / Patients Dining Room	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-1536(2), 41x181
T-101	Mess Office / Sewing Room, Upholstery and Cooler Storage	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-210(A-1), 25x70
T-102	Storehouse / Upholstery Shop	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-103	Storehouse / Sewing Room	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-104	Storehouse / Clothing Marking Room	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-105	Storehouse / Carpenter Storehouse	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-106	Supply Office / Occupational Therapy	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-210(A-1), 25x110
T-107	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-108	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-109	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-110	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-111	Medical Detachment Barracks / Employee’s Quarters	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-1204(B-1), 30x150
T-112	Theater / Theater, Storeroom	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-5843, 50x105
T-113	Carport	Wood frame	20x90
T-114	Recreation Building / Shoe shop and Storeroom	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 124-25-71, 60x142
T-115	Quartermaster Warehouse / Main Store Room	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 800-654, 80x150
T-116	Warehouse / Bakery	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan TO-700-6005, 50x160
T-117	Boiler House/Central Heating Plant /Boiler House	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 124-25-71&98, 45-115.
T-118	Morgue / Morgue	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 800-1454(A), 29x42
T-119	Guardhouse / Apartments 21 and 22	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 700-440(E), 28x58
T-120	Fire Station Fire Station	Wood frame, wood & concrete floor	Plan 700-439(B), 32x95.  Room for four pumpers.
T-121	Utility Shop/Post Engineer / Maintenance Office	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 800-1541, 25x75
T-122	Garage / Garage	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan700-465, 26x100
T-123	Quartermaster Laundry / Laundry	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 700-1421(1), 55x244
T-124	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-125	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-461(C-1), 32x120
T-126	Hospital Shop / Shop, Gardner	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-1545(1), 25x96
T-127	Paint Shop / Office	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 800-1543, 24x146
T-128	Gasoline Station / Gasoline Station	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 800-601(8-1), 20x20, 12,000 gal. capacity
T-129	Apartment	Wood frame	Plan 800-1543, 20x25.33
T-130	Typewriter Spray Room	Data not available.	Not specified, 6x10
T-133	Gas Pump	Data not available.	Data not available.
T-134	Storage	Data not available.	14x20
T-135	Storehouse / Bang House	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 800-663(A-1), 28x52
T-136	Swimming Pool	Concrete	75x200.  Built with nonappropriated funds.  Not built to Army standards.
T-141	Automotive Repair Shop /Gasoline Station	Data not available	Data not available
T-142	Dispatch Office / Dispatch Office	Data Not Available	14x26
T-149	Gas Chamber	Wood frame, dirt floor	Modified Plan 1600-150, 20x52
T-150	Automotive Repair Shop / Repair Shop Garage	Data not available	26x46
T-151	Utility Shop / Utility Shops	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 150-25-336, 25x310.  Added to by Modesto State Hospital
T-152	Warehouse / Warehouse	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 800-664(A-2), 25x110.  Added to by Modesto State Hospital.
T-153	Equipment Shed / Paint Office and Maintenance Shop	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-373(2), 25x60
T-154	Sewage Disposal Plant / Sewage Disposal Plant	Data not available	Plan 124-25-18(1), 107.75x 112.75
T-155	Sewage Disposal Plant / Incinerator	Data not available	Plan 414-43-227.1, 21x23.75  3 tons per 8 hours.
T-156	Well & Pumphouse No. 1 / Well & Pumphouse	Unspecified	Plan 150-25-270.2, 15x28
T-157	Well & Pumphouse No. 2 / Well & Pumphouse	Unspecified	Plan 150-25-270.2, 12x15
T-158	Well & Pumphouse No. 3 / Well & Pumphouse	Unspecified	Plan 150-25-270.2, 10x15
T-159	Well & Pumphouse No. 4 / Well & Pumphouse	Unspecified	Plan 150-25-270.2, 10x15
T-160	Sewage Pumping Station / Sewage Pumping Station	Data not available	Plan 124-25-19. 12.75 inch diameter
T-161	Hot House	Data not available	Data not available
T-162	Cold Storage Building / Cold Storage, Butcher Shop	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 800-1265(1), 40x70
T-163	Quartermaster Administration / Patient’s Storeroom	Wood frame & floor	Plan TO-700-5201, 20x100
T-170	Apartment 25	Data not available	Plan C-39.  10x17
T-171	Flagpole / Flagpole	Data not available	Data not available
T-172	Paint and Oil Storage. Spray Booth	Data not available	25x50
T-173	Well and Pumphouse No. 5	Data not available	7.5x8.3
T-180	Storm Drain Pumphouse / Storm Drain Pumphouse	Data not available	Plan 124-13-61.  6.83x7.34
T-190	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-191	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-192	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-193	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-194	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-195	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-196	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-197	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-198	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-199	Auxiliary Water Well / Steam Line Return Pump Shed	Data not available	Plan 124-13-91.  7.5x8.3  For fire fighting.
T-301	Unknown / Superintendent’s Residence	Data not available	Plan 124-125-173. 30x126.
T-302	Receiving / Apartments 2 and 3	Wood frame & floor	Plan 150-25-690, 35x150.  Hospital record stored in the western half of this building.   The remainder was used for patient receiving and administration.
T-303	Officers’ Quarters / Apartments 7, 8, and 9	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-1240(A-3), 29x120
T-304	Nurses’ Quarters / Apartments 13, 14, and 15	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-1240(A-3), 29x120
T-307	Bath & Patients Effects Building / Apartments 4, 5, and 6	Wood frame , wood floor	Plan 150-25-691, 30x118
T-308	Nurses’ Quarters / Apartments 10, 11, and 12	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-1240(A-3), 29x120
T-309	Officers’ Quarters  / Apartments 16, 17, and 18	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-1240(A-3), 29x120
T-314	Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat Clinic	Wood frame & floor	Plan 124-25-64, 34x150
T-315	Medical Clinic / Musical Therapy	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-1563, 25x160.  The January Public Health Service identifies this building was used for electrocardiogram, blood bank, and biological and medical research services.
T-316	Combination Ward  / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-665, 34x150
T-317	Combination Ward  / Men’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-665, 34x150
T-318	Combination Ward  / Men’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-665, 34x150
T-319	Regimental Chapel / Chapel	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-550, 40x95
T-325	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150
T-326	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150
T-327	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150
T-328	Combination Ward / Men’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-665, 34x150
T-329	Library / Library	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-980, 29.5x76
T-334	Post Exchange / Recreation Hall	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-1401, 25x124
T-335	Patients Mess / Patient’s Dining Room	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-3131, 46x181
T-336	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150
T-337	Standard Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-660, 34x150
T-338	Detention Ward / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-670, 34x150.  Surrounded by security fencing.
T-339	Combination Ward (Prison) / Women’s Ward	Wood frame & floor	Plan 1100-665, 34x150.  Surrounded by security fencing.
T-343	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 1100-1020, 32x120
T-344	Storehouse / Storehouse	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 1100-1020, 32x120
T-345	Mess & Supply Office / Apartments 19 and 20	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 700-397, 25x80
T-401	Noncommissioned Officers’ Recreation Building / Apartment 24	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-210(A-1), 25x100
T-402	Quartermaster Storehouse / Property Warehouse	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 150-25-688, 79x150
T-403	Gymnasium / Gymnasium	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 700-5888, 99.5x160
T-450	Main Transformer Base / Main Transformer Base	Data not available	18x20
T-500	Main gas meter & gatehouse / Master Gas Meter House	Data not available	Plan 124-13-6.1(2), 8x20
T-501	Nurses’ Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-321(A-1), 29x136
T-502	Nurses’ Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-321(A-1), 29x116
T-503	Administration	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-12, 20x120
T-504	Nurses’ Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-321(A-1), 29x136
T-505	Officers & Nurses Mess	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-15, 20x140
T-506	School Building	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-13
T-507	Officers Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-508	Officers Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-510	Officers Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-511	Officers Lavatory	Wood frame concrete floor	Plan 700-285(5), 18x22
T-512	Officers Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-514	Officers Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-515	Officers Quarters	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-517	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-518	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-519	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-520	Company Administration & Storehouse	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-6(1), 20x72
T-521	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-522	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-523	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-524	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-525	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-526	Lavatory	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan 700-28-7(C-1), 25x102
T-527	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-528	Mess Hall / Storage	Wood frame & floor	Plan 800-1170(A-2), 110x140
T-530	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-531	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-532	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-533	Lavatory	Wood frame & floor	Plan 700-6603, 20x32
T-534	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-535	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-536	Warehouse	Wood frame, concrete floor	Plan TOS-25-16, 62x62
T-537	Recreation Building	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-4(1), 20x72
T-538	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100
T-539	Barracks	Wood frame & floor	Plan TOS-25-7(2), 20x100

• Sources: War Assets Administration SPB-5 Report Building Inventory and General Layout Plan, Block 6, Schedule C, National Archives and Records Administration; Map of Modesto Junior College, 2005; Telephone conversation with Ms. Peggy Amarante, YCCD, 14 July 2005; Public Health Service Report of Field Investigation of US Army Hammond General Hospital, National Archives (Appendix A).
• Note:  Facility titles in italics indicate usage by Modesto State Hospital.
• Legend: USACE 1944: USACE General Layout Plan 1944, PHS 1946: Public Health Service Report 1946, MSH 1963: Modesto State Hospital Map and Inventory 1963.

 

Vernalis Reconditioning Center and Vernalis Prisoner of War Branch Camp

 

In 1943, the U. S. Department of Agriculture acquired 51.7 acres of land from a private party for use in the Emergency Rubber Project. In 1944, the Federal Works Administration (FWA) assumed accountability for the property and later that year transferred it to the War Department. The site was known as Vernalis Prisoner of War Camp; Hammond General Hospital Convalescent Retraining Facility, Vernalis Site; and Vernalis Reconditioning Center.

 

The site was used by Hammod General Hospital as a convalescence and physical reconditioning center. It was also a branch of the Stockton Ordnance Depot Prisoner of War Camp that held 275German Prisoners of War that supported Hammond General Hospital as well as being used in the local farming community.

Improvements made to the site during the War Department's ownership included 50 shelters, 2 utility buildings, 13 comfort stations, an administration building, a supervisor's barracks, 6
isolation units, 27 garbage units, and a mess hall.

In 1946, the 51.7 acres were transferred from the War Department to the FWA. The site is owned by private owners and the State of California.

 

 

Historical Data Card, Post Camp Station of Airfield, US Army Center of Military History

 

 

 

 

US Army Corps of Engineers Maps

 

Site Map, Hammond General Hospital

 

Click for larger image.

 

Real Estate Map, Vernalis Prisoner of War Branch Camp

 

Click for larger image

 

Extract, War Department Inventory of Owned, Sponsored and Leased Facilities, 1945

 

Hammond General Hospital

Normal Bed Capacity:

• Permanent Buildings:
• Temporary Buildings: 2,557
• Total: 2,557

Capacity:

• Enlisted:
  • Permanent Buildings:
  • Mobilization Buildings: 54
  • Theater of Operations Buildings: 744
  • Hutments:
  • Tents:
  • Total: 798
• Officers: 460

Acreage

• Owned: 267 acres
• Leased:
• Total: 267 acres

Storage:

• Covered: 45,477 sq yds
• Open:

Cost to Government Since 1 July 1940:

• Annual lease payments:
• Land: $58,707.00
• Construction: $4,039,823.00
• Total (less annual leases): $4,098,530.00
•  
• Remarks: Declared surplus on 13 December 1945.

Vernalis Reconditioning Center and Prisoner of War Camp

Normal Bed Capacity:

• Permanent Buildings:
• Temporary Buildings: 938
• Total: 938

Capacity:

• Enlisted:
  • Permanent Buildings:
  • Mobilization Buildings:
  • Theater of Operations Buildings:
  • Hutments:
  • Tents:
  • Total:
• Officers:

Acreage

• Owned: 52 acres
• Leased:
• Total: 52 acres

Storage:

• Covered:
• Open:

Cost to Government Since 1 July 1940:

• Annual lease payments:
• Land:
• Construction:
• Total (less annual leases):

 

Remarks: 52 acres under permit from Federal Works Agency. Declared surplus on 21 December 1945.

 

 

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Updated 8 February 2016