Dr. George E. Weems arrived in Apalachicola in 1909 and married Lillian Emma Wefing. Together they had two daughters, Ruth and Marjorie. Dr. Weems dedicated himself to our community until his passing in 1956. In 1959, as the hospital was under construction, a group of local citizens appeared before the Franklin County Commission urging them to honor Dr. Weems by placing his name on the new building. Pictured here is Mrs. Lillian Wefing Weems cutting the ribbon at the official opening of George E. Weems Memorial Hospital on June 21, 1959, exactly 65 years ago this Friday! J.R. McDonald served as the first administrator and worked alongside four physicians. Also pictured is: - Jody Fortunas Wilson on the far left in the flowered dress. - Carol McCormick to the right of her in the plaid dress. - Victor McDonald on the far right in the striped shirt. - Sonny Shuler is the gentleman in glasses to the left of him. *Do you recognize anyone else in the photo? Let us know!

Dr. George Emerson Weems was raised in McDonough, Georgia. After graduating from primary school, he received his medical training at Emory University. He graduated in 1904 and did his internship at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, before practicing for a short time in Newnan, Georgia. In 1909 Dr. Weems moved to Apalachicola where he opened a practice in the rear of Robbins Drug Store. In 1913, he married Lillian Emma Wefing and they had two daughters, Ruth and Marjorie (pictured below). Dr. Weems considered his work a mission of first importance and was known to his patients as a friend. He exemplified the role of country doctor by seeing many patients in his home with his dining room table often used for late-night emergency surgeries. Weems was active in his community as well as national affairs, serving on the local draft board during World War I. Dr. George E. Weems died November 26, 1956. - Apalachicola, 2009

This photo from the 1940s features some familiar faces from Apalachicola's history! - Dr. Photis Nichols (left), served as medical director of our very own George E. Weems Memorial Hospital! - Dr. James A. Steely, another pillar of our community's medical care, was also part of the first medical team of Weems Memorial. - T.J. Hicks, the owner of Hicks Drug Store, which bustled with activity. Fun fact: the Hicks family lived upstairs over the store! We love seeing these historical connections and how Franklin County's healthcare landscape has evolved.

Many Greek immigrants came to Apalachicola in the early 1900s. The Nichols family was one of them. From left to right are Dr. Photis Nichols who was part of the original medical team at Weems Memorial Hospital. Also pictured are John Nichols, Nick Nichols, Garaphalia Nichols, and Jimmie Nichols. The Nichols family ran a groceries and dry goods store called Economy Cash Store. Jimmie Nichols served over 16 years as mayor and was responsible for many changes in the town. He died in August 2009.