Dormitory and Former Tuberculosis Sanatorium

The entrance to the former dormitory and tuberculosis sanatorium.

NPS photo

Quick Facts

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

National Chavez Center

Amenities

1 listed

Audio Description

As the largest building within the monument, this dormitory provided housing throughout the history of the property and its many uses. The building was originally constructed as a hospital for Stony Brook Retreat, a tuberculosis sanatorium. This rural location with plenty of fresh air and sunshine was considered to be an ideal environment for tuberculosis patients, and people were sent here from the 1930s until it closed in 1967 to recuperate from the disease.

Stony Brook Retreat was one of many sanatoriums across the country. Over the years, wings were added to the building to expand its capacity. Eventually, improved medical treatments reduced the need for most sanatoriums. The development of more modern treatments for tuberculosis ultimately led to the closure of Stony Brook in 1967. Shortly thereafter, Hollywood producer Ed Lewis purchased the property, and in 1970, turned it over to Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement for their use.