One of the earliest sources of disagreements about the Fort Street Hospital was before it was established, about where it should be. The eventual location is shown on the Ordnance Survey Map of Douglas in 1866.
At the time, Fort Street was a shore road. The hospital site originally backed onto the beach, but later on the building of Loch Promenade meant that it would become surrounded by other streets and buildings. It was close to the harbour and the town centre, as well as the House of Industry [workhouse] and poorer areas of housing in Old Douglas.
While some people believed that a central location was best, others were concerned that it would lead to the spread of disease and other problems. Read more about the debate below.
