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McDowell House

DBCAAHS- McDowell House-2.pdf

Milton Reigelman, speaks about liberal Centre College president

Informational flyer about the Ephraim McDowell House with images and text. Text: The McDowell House before and after renovations./This is the former house and office of surgeon Dr. Ephraim McDowell. He was born in Virginia in 1771, came to Danville in 1795 a certified doctor with 2 years of experience in Scotland, completed the first successful removal of an ovarian tumor in 1809, and likely died of a ruptured appendix in 1830 at the age of 58. To the right is a miniature picture, found in the house, still present today.<br /> Dr. McDowell bought the house in 1802, and after his death it was sold. For a short time, it housed a Centre College President, and in 1935, Kentucky Medical Association bought it, gave the deed to the government to remodel it, and regained ownership in 1948. According to The Messenger, the house was fixed up and became a major tourist attraction in 1938, pre-urban renewal. 1939 marked the beginning of strictly white usage of the house, as the government began renovations. This could be described as the beginning of urban renewal in Danville./May 1939 South Second St., watching the dedication of the McDowell House