Site of Rees Sanitarium

Brenham's first hospital. Dr. H. Clay Rees (1864-1914), president of a Waco medical and surgical clinic, built (1897) a 2-story sanitarium on this site. Dispensary and surgery were in a detached building. By 19th century standards, this was an advanced medical complex. But strained by his work here and in Waco, Dr. Rees' health failed. He moved to Kerrville. Enlightened by his pioneering, however, Brenham has had hospitals continuously since 1910. H. Gardner, purchaser of the sanitarium, remodeled it into a residence. Four generations of the Gardner-Robertson-Burgess family lived (1900-69) in the house. (1974)