Dr. George T. Harding III, Dr. Charles Harding and Dr. Harrison Evans

Standing in front of the porch of the main building on Harding Campus are Dr. George T. Harding III, Dr. Charles Harding and Dr. Harrison Evans. Brothers George and Charles were third generation physicians. Their father, Dr. George T. Harding II founded the hospital in 1916, then known as the Columbus Rural Rest Home. Dr. George T. Harding III directed Harding Hospital from 1934 to 1973. He managed to see the hospital through tough times during the Depression. Under his directorship the hospital expanded services, providing treatment for mental illness and training of physicians in the field of psychiatry. Dr. Charles Harding was a founding member Columbus Area Council on Alcoholism and served as Vice President of Harding Hospital and Senior Staff Psychiatrist. Dr. Harrison Evans joined the staff of Harding Hospital in 1936, serving as Medical Director while Dr. George T. Harding III was engaged as President of Loma Linda University 1948-1951. Under direction of Dr. Evans the residency program at Harding Hospital expanded significantly.