City Hospital was founded in 1905. It was organized in a residence property by Dr. T. K. Oates. In 1906, a three-story concrete block Hospital structure was built. In two or three years a four-story addition was built, and an additional floor added over the original building. Still another four-story brick addition was constructed in 1929, along with other improvements to the older portions of the building. In 1939, the Hospital was incorporated as a non-profit, non-sectarian community hospital operated and managed by a local Board of Trustees who served without pay. Dr. Max Oates, son of Dr. T. K. Oates returned to Martinsburg to practice surgery. His medical degree was from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and he spent additional time in the Department of Surgery there. Following this, he was an instructor in Surgery, Resident in the Department of Surgery, and Resident Instructor in Pathology at Duke University School of Medicine. He brought with him Dr. Gay and Dr. Haltom, both specialists. Dr. Gay soon left; Dr. Haltom remained and became well known in the community. As the years went by, it became apparent that it was impossible to improve the Hospital at its present location. The Board of Trustees, which included Dr. Max Oates, purchased a 37-acre site at the edge of the city - our present location - for the purpose of building a new Hospital. In 1972, a four-story structure opened. In 1977, City Hospital and Kings Daughters Hospital merged to make the best and most economical use of the available health care resources, as well as to provide the best possible care to the community. Construction of the Hospital's top four floors and first floor expansion began in 1979 and was completed in 1982. A second major expansion, initiated in 1992, added a new surgical wing, expanded the Emergency Department, provided a new entrance, expansive lobby area, and brought all out-patient services to one convenient area. The Oates Family has remained active in the continual growth and expansion of services offered by our Hospital. Mrs. Evelyn S. Oates served on the City Hospital Board of Trustees until her retirement in 1998. Max O. Oates, Jr., has been a member of City Hospital's Board of Trustees since 1996.