About Us

Hy Smith

Dr. Hy Smith was born on a farm near Ontario, Canada. At age 15 he apprenticed to a surgeon before enrolling in Michigan University and Victoria University in Canada to study medicine. He graduated in 1859 and 1861 from the two universities.

In 1862 Smith joined the United States Army as a surgeon. He worked at the Battle of Gettysburg and other battle sites in Maryland and other states. He later was a Marine physician who treated Yellow Fever patients in New Orleans in 1867, Savannah in 1876, Shreveport in 1873 and Key West in 1878 and 1881. He came to Virginia in 1883 with his wife, Julia, and two children to open the first federal quarantine site at the Virginia Capes near Virginia Beach.

In 1886 Smith settled in Norfolk, Virginia to practice medicine. His home on Granby Street, which sold in 1913 was the last remaining residential property in what is now downtown Norfolk. Dr. Smith died in 1915. He was survived by his daughter Florence and son, Hy.