Cohn-Barnard Sanitarium, Martinsville, Indiana: patients (and staff?) Photograph by Vista Studio, 1926/1929 (?).

The natural mineral waters and artesian wells of Martinsville, Indiana, gave it a reputation as a health resort and watering place, with many sanatoria (called "sanitariums") The first was the Barnard, founded by Capt. Sylvanus Barnard in 1888. In 1926 it was purchased by Michael Cohn and was called the Cohn-Barnard Sanitarium: this is apparently the building shown in the present picture. In 1929 the building burnt down and the name Cohn-Barnard was transferred to another building previously called the Colonial Sanitarium. In 1955 it was renamed the Artesian, and in 1963 it was demolished. See Stuttgen, op. cit.

A group portrait of twenty-two people, including several hollow-cheeked men (tuberculous?), a woman in a wheelchair, and two little girls

Martinsville, Ind. [Indiana] : Vista Studio, [1926/1929?]

1 photograph : photoprint ; sheet 12.4 x 17 cm

Cohn-Barnard Sanitarium Martinsville Ind. From Vista Studio Martinsville Ind.

Joanne Raetz Stuttgen, Martinsville: a pictorial history, St Louis, Mo. 1995

Wellcome Collection 46959i