SPECIAL ARTICLE

La Rabida Sanitarium is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan in the South Shore district not far from the University of Chicago with which La Rabida has a close affiliation, its research program being directed from the Department of Pediatrics and Bobs Roberts Memorial Hospital for Children. La Rabida derives its name from the convent Santa Maria de Rabida near Palos de Moguer, Andalusia, in Spain where Columbus visited when he was seeking funds to support his proposed trip "around" the world. He was interviewed by the prior, Juan Perez de Marchena, who also was interested in this new conception. Later a friend of the prior, Garcia Fernandez, a physician and a resident in Palos became interested in the discussion. He agreed that Queen Isabella, who at that time was residing in nearby Granada, should be approached and the matter presented. The outcome of this focal combination of persons is history. A replica of this convent was built in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition located in Jackson Park by the Spanish government to house its important exhibit. After the close of the exposition the Spanish consul encouraged a group of women interested in child welfare on the south side of Chicago to use the building for a summer time day nursery for sick infants and mothers living in the hot crowded west side and stock yards districts. After many difficulties, the venture succeeded and has been continued. Visitors to the present hospital as late as 1952 could see in the harbor across the road the full size replica of the "Santa Maria," one of the 3 ships, made for the Columbian Exposition and navigated across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain. The decaying wooden structure has now been removed.