Columbus Rural Rest Home Entrance

The entrance to the Columbus Rural Rest Home, later known as Harding Sanitarium and then Harding Hospital is pictured here. The campus was located on the south side of Granville Road (State Route 161). At the time of this photograph Granville Road was a dirt road. Paving did not begin on Granville Road until 1929. The main building on the Harding campus, known as the Lodge is visible through the entrance. The Lodge was a focal point of activity at Harding Hospital from 1919 to 1981. The first floor Lodge parlor served as dining room for Harding Hospital patients. It also provided a venue for educational programs, medical staff meetings, public gatherings, arts and craft shows, employee parties and vesper services. The second floor provided large, comfortable rooms for patients. Employees were housed on the third floor for some time, as compensation included room and board for some years.