County of district: Hardeman County
Location of district: US-64, Old Hwy 64 & JJ Neely Rd., Bolivar
Note: There are signs at both front entrances (all others are blocked closed) that read no entrance without police approval and excort, EVEN TO TAKE PICTURES
They mean it. I was challenged by a Deputy Sheriff who tried to tell me I could not take pictures from across the road.
"The brick Administration Building is three and four stories in height and
surmounted by an asphalt shingle gable roof. Most fenestration is 1/1 or
15/15 double-hung sash windows with stone lintels and sills. A corbel
brick eave trim, set below molded eave trim, and stone water table ornament
much of the building. Three and one-half and four story towers with polygonal
and hip roofs, along with three story projecting areas, help define
the ells of the hospital.
A fifteen bay central section is four stories in height with a four story,
three bay tower providing the principal entrance to the building. The
polygonal roofed tower is embellished with pointed arch stone and brick
trim, round arch windows in the top story, and small gables. Centered on
this saection is a one story porte cochere. It is highlighted by arched
openings trimmed with stone and oculus windows with stone trim on the
exterior, while the ceiling of the porte cochere is constructed of diagonal
and horizontal pattern wood encased in molded wood trim. Two, two bay
towers flank this portion of the building. Each tower has two rows of
corbel brick eave trim separated by circular brick trim and four narrow
jerkinhead dormers with louvered openings. A multicolored tile floor and
an arched entrance comprised of sidelights, transom, and a modern door,
provide access to the building.
Five, three story ells, two on the west and three on the east, flank the
central portion. The ells are divided into four and seven bay sections
that are delineated by towers. Three and one-half stories tall polygonal
towers capped by polygonal roofs divide the bays of each ell, while square
towers capped by mansard roofs with jerkinhead dormers define the corners.
Three bay gable roof sections project from the main wall surface and each
displays three pointed arch windows with stone lintels in the gable field.
Each ell has been altered by an intrusive addition (1955) that contains
bath areas for the wards. These three story brick additions are also
visible from both side elevations.
The rear elevation of the Administration building follows the same basic pattern of flat wall surface broken by towers. Windows, except for those on the easternmost ell, are 15/15 double-hung sash with segmental arch
brick lintels and stone sills. The eastern ell, built in around 1910,
reveals 15/15 double-hung sash windows with jack arch stone lintels and
stone sills. Part of this ell has been glassed in.
Today, the Administration Building is only used for offices. The interior
retains many of its pressed tin ceilings, cove moldings, chair rails, baseboards,
and paneled doors. Door and window trim is comprised of pedimented
lintels and fluted surrounds with bull's-eye trim. The turned wood stair
has a large newel post, molded railing, a floral pattern imprint on the
balusters, and ornamental scroll brackets below the risers. Decorative
risers, comprised of rectangular and circular moldings, are seen on stairs
in the basement and third floor."~ NRHP Nomination Form
Since a close-up was not possible due to restriction of egress, I add this close-up photo by Brent Moore when he snuck on the place