Today in Archbold History: Archbold Welcomes First Baby

While Archbold was dedicated on June 30, 1925, it wasn’t until July 3 that the first patients were transferred from City Hospital. The first new patient was admitted to Archbold on July 8. John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital welcomed its first newborn on July 11, 1925, one hundred years ago today.

The ceremoniously named John Archbold Golden was born to Della Barwick and Jefferson Monroe Golden. An article in the Thomasville Times-Enterprise celebrated the birth of Archbold’s “Golden baby”: ​

“John Archbold Golden is the name given to the young man whose honor it was to christen the new Archbold Memorial Hospital by his arrival Saturday, July 11^th. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Golden are the proud parents; and casting around for a suitable name for the precious one, the mother knowing many beautiful characters associated with the name John, including her father, decided none could be more fitting than John. Friends suggested for a middle name Archbold, as he was the first baby to be born in the institution—hence the name John Archbold Golden. Then, too, it was quite fitting that this beautiful hospital should be christened with a Golden baby. Friends are extending hearty congratulations; wishing for the young man many years rich with the spirit of sweetness, and overflowing with the joy of gladness.”

Jack Archbold, our founder, personally requested that the family be presented with a celebratory gift. The vacuum bottle manufactured by the Stanley Insulating Company was affixed with the seal of John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital. The bottle is now in the collection of the Thomasville History Center. 

Colonel Bevans, the hospital’s first director, sent the bottle to the Golden family. “It is hoped that this souvenir of the hospital will serve to fix in John Archbold Golden’s memory that he was the first baby born in this institution,” Bevans said in his letter to the parents.

In a letter thanking Bevans and Archbold for the gift, Jefferson Monroe Golden said, “We will preserve both bottle and letter for the baby until he reaches maturity, feeling sure that it will be an incentive for him to be useful and a blessing to his fellow men.”

John Archbold Golden was a member of the well-known family associated with Golden Brothers Co. He served as Secretary-Treasurer of the company in his later years.

He was a proud Thomasville Bulldog and an outstanding athlete, serving as captain of the football team. After his graduation in 1943, Golden enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served three years during World War II. He later re-enlisted for two more years in 1958. He was a member of First Baptist Church.

Golden’s three daughters, Linda, Nita, and Charlotte, were also born at Archbold, continuing the family’s legacy at the hospital. One of his daughters, Linda Golden Moore, was administrator at the McIntosh Clinic for many years. His granddaughter, Lindsey Newsom, RN, works at Archbold South Georgia Surgical. 

Last year alone, 866 newborns were delivered at Archbold hospitals. These births continue a legacy begun on July 11, 1925. On what would have been his 100^th birthday, Archbold remembers the first baby our hospital brought into the world and celebrates the life of John Archbold Golden.

To learn more about maternity care at Archbold and Archbold Memorial’s new maternity center, please visit www.archbold.org/maternity.

Pictured at Right: John Archbold Golden with his daughter, Linda, who was also born at Archbold Memorial.