Senate Concurrent Resolution 600

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BOSWELL REGIONAL CENTER IN SANATORIUM, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, we join the residents, administration and staff of Boswell Regional Center in commemorating the Centennial Celebration of the establishment of their beautiful campus and institution; and

WHEREAS, during the 1916 session of the Mississippi Legislature, the Mississippi Tuberculosis Sanatorium was created for the "prevention and treatment of Tuberculosis" and placed under the State Department of Health. Citizens of Magee donated 200 acres of land, and the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad donated $2,000.00 for the construction of the Sanatorium. Dr. Walter Rowan was the first Superintendent, but his health failed during the building process. Dr. Henry Boswell took over in 1917; and

WHEREAS, with $25,000.00 from the Legislature, Dr. Boswell oversaw the construction of several buildings and a TB hospital. On February 4, 1918, the first group of 12 patients entered the hospital for treatment. A $1,000,000.00 appropriation helped build a modern Sanatorium that could treat 75 patients. In 1930, Dr. Boswell opened the Preventorium to house and treat children who were either suffering from TB or were malnourished and in danger of contracting the disease; and

WHEREAS, the Sanatorium, or "The San," as it was called, was home for several families who lived and worked on the grounds. According to a newspaper article, "When Dr. Boswell created the Sanatorium, he created a little world." A 623-acre working farm provided fresh milk, chicken and eggs, and the lake and golf course offered on-site recreation. A bakery, butcher shop, laundry, movie theater, water tower, fire department, and post office with its own zip code, provided patients, staff and residents everything they needed without having to cross under the depot entrance and leave the grounds. Underground tunnels made transporting laundry across campus easier than pushing carts over the rolling grounds; and

WHEREAS, as cases of TB became more rare, "The San" was given to Ellisville State School in 1972 to treat those with mental retardation. The center is now operated by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and is known as Boswell Regional Center; and

WHEREAS, memories of life at "The San" remain in the hearts and minds of those who once lived and worked at this special place; and

WHEREAS, a century of history includes Boswell success stories, memories left by hundreds of physicians, nurses, staff members, patients and individuals, and breathtaking natural beauty that has endured through time. Here's to the next 100 years:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commemorate the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the establishment of Boswell Regional Center in Sanatorium, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Director and staff of Boswell Regional Center, forwarded to the State Board of Mental Health, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.