by Francis DiNardo
Pittsboro residents and visitors can choose from several excellent facilities to seek medical treatment. There are doctor’s offices, an Urgent Care facility, the nearby UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Siler City, or you can walk into the Mathiesen Clinic in downtown Pittsboro.
Oh wait…that’s wrong…the Mathiesen Clinic closed in 1974.
Dr. K.M. Mathiesen
That’s a shame because from the time it was built in 1948 until the clinic closed, a wide variety of medical care was available to the people of Pittsboro and Chatham County.
The bulding, located at 45 West Street next door to The Pittsboro Roadhouse and General Store, was built by Dr. K. M. Mathiesen. Mathiesen arrived in Pittsboro in 1939 after completing medical school at Duke University and an internship at Watts Hospital in Durham. Before building his clinic, Dr. Mathiesen treated patients at what was his home at 315 Hillsboro Street—next to the historic Wade Barber home.
In addition to being a well-loved community doctor, Mathiesen established the 7th Day Adventist Church in Pittsboro and was once Mayor of Pittsboro. One anecdote includes Mayor Mathiesen occasionally sweeping the streets of Pittsboro with a straw broom. I have to talk to Mayor Cindy Perry about that!
Dr. Mathiesen and his staff administered stitches, vaccinations, poison ivy treatment and more. The Mathiesen Clinic had a maternity ward where many current Pittsboro residents were born. Appendectomies to tonsillectomies were performed in the surgical unit. And there was a morgue, naturally. I found myself wondering what that room might be used for today.
The elevator in the Mathiesen Clinic was the first one in Pittsboro.
Several years ago, my friend Mariah Wheeler proprietor of The Joyful Jewel, opened her shop in the clinic building. She told me that people would occasionally stop in to tell her stories about how they’d either been born there, treated there, or had a loved one pass away there. “People even told me that the place was supposedly haunted, but I never saw any ghosts,” she said. I love Mariah but I’m not sure I believe her about not seeing the ghosts.
Another interesting historical note about the clinic was that it contained the first indoor elevator in Pittsboro, making it the first elevator many Pittsboro residents rode in. The Mathiesen Clinic was quite modern in its day.
Dr. Mathiesen, whose wife suffered from asthma, was most well known for the asthma treatment he provided at his clinic. Mathiesen developed an asthma treatment medication after spending time in Texas with a doctor who had perfected a formula for treating asthma patients. Many people were interested in the formula, including drug company researchers and government regulators, because it was said to contain a small amount of arsenic. It’s said that Duncan Renaldo, the actor who played The Cisco Kid on TV, once brought his asthmatic son to Pittsboro to be treated by Dr. Mathiesen.
Charles Thomas, a Pittsboro native and an active volunteer at the Chatham County Historical Association, recalls that his mother worked at the clinic for 20 years along with nurses Aunt Junior Alston and JoAnna Leach. Leach, also well known for running a Pittsboro boarding house for men, is still living at the age of 102 and recently attended a wedding at the handicapped accessible Courthouse.
The Mathiesen Clinic left the building when building code violations developed over time. The building has seen a variety of tenants over the years including the Chatham County Democratic Party, the Chatham Arts Council, a jewelry repair business, a bail bondsman, and a children’s dressmaker. It is now called The Professional Building, is partially occupied by The Rusty Rooster antique shop. It is owned by the Marlowe family of Myrtle Beach SC. Recent water damage to the basement caused by a frozen water pipe has limited access to the interior. This prevented me from taking photos but I was pleased to have been given photos of the elevator and Dr. Mathiesen by the Chatham County Historical Association.
Thanks to Charles Thomas, Kay Judge, Mariah Wheeler and the Chatham County Historical Association for pictures and oral histories.
Do you have stories about the Mathiesen Clinic? Were you born there? Do you know someone who was treated there? We’d appreciate hearing your stories! Please post them in the comments section below.
My husband was born there in 1958, he also had his tonsils removed there. His mom never went to the doctor until she was in labor with him. She ran a restaurant in Deep River and said she didn’t have time to go. His name is William Watson Womble, Jr. (Billy)
Hi Sharron. Thank you for sharing your husband’s and your mother-in-law’s stories with us. Do either of them recall Dr. Mathiesen or the nurses who worked there?
Oh yes! The window to the left of the big one in the front, was the window of my studio inside the Joyful Jewel when I first started the shoppe. My part was just a room, what used to the the front waiting room, about 300 square feet that included my studio as well as the beginnings of the Joyful Jewel. We moved from the Mathieson Clinic building in 2010 to our current 2,000 square foot gallery on Hillsboro St. Although I was more ambitious than what could be done in that small space, I remember it fondly. I loved being in the same building as Molly Matlock and the Chatham Arts Council (where I met Lesley Landis too). I loved hearing of the history of the building, waiting for a ghost to turn the light back on, and hearing of local folks who had been born there. The elevator was only big enough for one small bed, and one thin person — apparently the beds used to be a lot smaller — as were a lot of people! I often sat outside beside the waterfall that I had painted on the sidewalk (by Deborah Dorland), waiting for customers. One day, horrified, I watched the court house burn down, having to wait late into the night to get my car out because of the fire hoses.
We remember entering your tiny space in the Mathiesen Clinic building via the magical waterfall sidewalk, Mariah. It’s still barely visible.
My mom worked there! (Betty Cothran)
My brother was also admitted and treated for a copperhead bite when he was 9 years old.
What kind of work did your mother do in the clinic, Kathy? Did your brother recover from the snake bite? Your family must have a lot of stories of the Mathiesen Clinic. We’d love to hear them!
Was born there in 1959!! By Dr Mathiesen! After he and his wife moved to Bryson City TN we would go visit him!!!
Congrats Mitzi. You’re a Mathiesen baby! Do you know why the Matheisens’s chose Bryson City to move to? Did Dr. Matheisen open another clinic there?
No I am not sure why hevchose Bryson City but yes he did work after he went there, he had a clinic. My mom had asthma and he treated her. Instill remember the suckers we used to get with a rake or shovel at the end. My mom got her fingers cauhtervin the beaters of a mixer once and Dr M got them right out..
I wish the owners would make needed repairs and restorations to this building. I have been in that elevator many times just because it was unique.
In our time in the building, we occasionally liked riding in the elevator, too. You had to close a heavy, hinged door then slide the retractable cage closed. The elevator made a heck of a noise and was rather slow but it did the job. What brought you to the building, Karen?
I was born there in October of 1968…..
Another Mathiesen baby! Congrats. Did you go back for treatments of any kind?
My grandmother was one of Dr Mathiesens asthma patients. Helped her through many asthma attacks.
I also remember the Cisco Kid bringing his son to Dr Mathiesen for asthma. I think I was in the 3rd grade. The Cisco Kid came to the school and talked to us kids in the auditorium of the OLD Pittsboro school and let us ask questions.
It’s great to hear that your grandmother received help for her asthma at Mathiesen’s Clinic. Do you know any more about Dr. Mathiesen’s treatment? So the Cisco Kid story is true! Do you recall the questions that were asked of him? Did you learn anything interesting from the Cisco Kid’s visit?
I remover Granny having a nebulizer that she had to put medication in and breathe it in to get relief from her asthma attacks.
Yes, the Cisco Kid story is true. Questions that were asked were about his horse, his gun, where he was from and many others. Of course, I don’t remember his answers. He was friendly to all the students. I think his son was about our age at that time. Seems like I remember him handing out pictures of himself with his horse.
I hate auto corrects. My grandmother Alma Brown Glosson worked for Dr. Matheson as a nurse
My grandmother, Alma Brown Glides on was one of his nurses. Steve had his tonsils out there and I was hospitalized with intestinal flu
I think this building has huge potential for a revitalization project. Jeffrey Marlowe, the owner of the building, passed away in December, leaving his wife Catherine as the sole owner. Mrs. Marlowe is elderly so it’s possible that the building will come up for sale again.
Oh, I hope the “clinic” can be repaired to meet current codes & remain open. So many childhood memories are in Pittsboro. When the Court House burned, I was in shock for days. It’s so great how the little town has found life, where many small towns do not.
We’d like to see the clinic spared too. Pittsboro has lost many of our historic properties and this building clearly holds a special place in the hearts and memories of many of our neighbors. Promoting and building downtown vitality is one of our primary missions and why we work with the Pittsboro Business Association, the Chatham Historical Association, and the Town of Pittsboro to program events and other opportunities that attract people to downtown.
My mother, Margie Hearne had 5 children. All of them were born there but me. Due to complications, Dr. Mathiesen sent her to Duke when she was ready to have me. I went many times growing up. I had my tonsils out there and had to get stitches multiple times. After Dr. Mathiesen retired, my mother and her friend Monk Durham traveled to Bryson City many times to visit the Mathiesens.
Thanks for sharing your story! It sounds like the Hearne family kept the clinic busy. Many folks have commented on visiting the Mathiesen’s after they moved away. They must have been beloved. Do you know why they left Pittsboro?
My husband, Doug, was born there on Thanksgiving day of 1966.
A Thanksgiving baby is a special miracle! Thank you for sharing your connection to this building.
Duncan Renaldo, who played the Cisco Kid, did visit the clinic. While he was in the area, he visited Moncure High School and all of us students went into the auditorium to see him. I remember it well, especially since Mr. Renaldo sent autographed copies of his picture back to all the kids in our school once he got back home. I kept my copy of his picture for many years. He may have visited other schools, but I don’t know for sure. My recollection is that he had gone to the clinic to have his son treated for asthma by Dr. Mathiesen. I also was a patient when I was a child but can’t remember why.
Other commenters have shared that Mr. Renaldo came to their schools. Do you know what year that was? He must have been a kind man to do that. We wonder if Dr. Matheisen gave him the idea to visit schools? Dr. Mathiesen sounds like he really loved Pittsboro and his neighbors here.
I remember well the Cisco Kid/Duncan Renaldo coming to Pittsboro…probably around 1956 or so. We lived beside Dr. Mathiesen when I was growing up so I got to meet the famous Cisco Kid and his son who was being treated for asthma. I still have my pictures. Dr. Mathiesen had a hugh garden and used the vegetables from his garden to feed patients at his clinic. Also, he had several washing machines in his basement where the laundry was done for the clinic. I also played with his children back then. His oldest son became a doctor but is now deceased. His two daughters are living and another son is deceased. Remember many stories. The clinic still has a “smell” that I remember from many years ago. The elevator is still in use.
Janet Farrell. My brother was born there. My sister and I had our tonsils removed on the same day there that came with an overnight stay and we had matching robes an slippers.
Our 2 sons were born at the clinic. Gary David Jones 1958 and Donnie Ray Jones 1960. Went there many times.
In 1956 I had my tonsils removed at Mathiesen’s Clinic. I was 6 years old. I remember going to the operating room and a mask being put on my face to put me to sleep. When I woke up the first thing I got was ice cream. My 2 older brothers also had their tonsils removed at the clinic. My grandfather worked next door at Justice Motor Company. He and my grandmother lived right next to Pittsboro Methodist Church. The site is a parking lot now. They were friends of Dr. Mathiesen and his wife. I remember my grandmother saying that Dr. Mathiesen opened another clinic in Bryson City that specialized in asthma and allergies.
Ahhh, ice cream! The classic balm for recently removed tonsils. Ms. Hearn do have pictures of the home your grandparents lived in? The one that was next to the Pittsboro Methodist Church? We’d love to see them sometime.
NC State did two overnight paranormal investigations in the old hospital, recorded evp’s, and had experiences while there.
Everyone loves a good ghost story, Tiana! Tell us, what is an “evp”? Do you know the folks who did the investigations? How do we learn more about the findings? Now, you’ve got us thinking about a new blog possibility “Ghosts of Old Pittsboro”.
I was born there on October 29th, 1965. My grandparents, Silas and Irene Mann were good friends with Dr. Mathiesen and I remember us traveling to Bryson City to see them once they had relocated there.
The Professional Building was also previously owned by Craig Corry, DVM and Tim Hubbard, Atty. Chathamborough Research Group occupied the front of the building and Pittsboro Animal Hospital was run out of the back of the building until Dr. Corry moved it to East St. I worked for Chathamborough from 1986 to 1989. The rooms on the top floor were leased to other small businesses. The only two that I recall was Cheryl Talarico’s Chromatography lab and a Hypnotist. I miss working so close to home and watching traffic out those windows. I would sure love to see the building look “Professional” again.
I was not born in the Clinic but Dr. Matheisen came to our house after I was born to check on my mother and me. That was June 23, 1942. I had my tonsils removed at the Clinic when I was in the third grade. I had always suffered from asthma until I had my tonsils removed.
Many memories of visiting the Clinic.
I was born at Mathiesen Clinic. When I was in third grade I cut my foot really bad. Mom loaded me up and took me uptown to the Clinic and Dr Mathiesen was there in a few minutes and sowed my foot back together, 15 stitches later I was on the way home. Then in the fifth grade I fell out of a tree and broke my arm. Mom loaded me up in the car again and off we went to see Dr Mathiesen. He made me spend the night in the Clinic just in case my arm swelled and he had to cut the cast off. I stayed on the second floor, it was scary. I grew up and had my daughter Rhonda there in 1970. They always took such good care of you. Dr Mathiesen was the best.
Wow, check this out! http://abc11.com/archive/8546202/
I came across this report when I was working on the story but I chose not to include it because Dr. Mathiesen had already passed away before the allegations were raised, so he never had a chance to respond to them.
The family who owns the building now are the ones who told me about the investigation. Their phone number is on the front of the building, I believe. EVP’s are electronic voice phenomenon
I were born in Mathiesen’s Clinic in March 1950 and my sisters were also born in the clinic during the 50’s. My daughter was born there in June 1971.
I remember spenting time there receiving glucose when I had the flu and got denigrated. Not fun but always made me feel better. One thing that does not happen any more — when my daughter was born, I stayed for 7 days. Nurses gave back massages and took wonderful care of me and my baby.
Dr Mathiesen and Dr Jacques were great for our town and community.
I was born at Mathiesen clinic in 1949
Duncan Renaldo son was right across the ward from me.
I had my surgery done by Dr. Baxter and Dr. Mathieesen.
Duncan son and I had a field day racing around the hospital; Dr. Mathiesen always told us to be carefully with a smile.
In 1966 the US Navy had me to get a paper sign by the Dr. himself. He told me that he would be glad to sign it.
Because he told me after surgery he did not think I would be able to go into service.
A week later Duncan son have the exact same surgery as I . I got to meet Poncho too.
I was born there in August, 1967.
I was born there in 1949. We lived with my grandparents in Bynum where they worked in the cotton mill. Dr. Mathieson was my doctor until I was about 8 or so.
Thanks for your note. Dr. Mathiesen clearly played an important part in many people’s lives. We wonder who helped with people’s care when he left? Do you recall the name of your doctor after Dr. Mathiesen?
I was delivered there by Dr Jaques in 1962. Had my tonsils out at three by Dr Mathiesen, all I remember about that was the ice cream and going down to the waiting room where the only TV was so I could watch the Harlem Globetrotters. Had 7 stitches in my chin by Dr Mathiesen a few years later. I remember playing Pony League baseball when Tony Brown got hit on his batting helmet causing his ear to bleed, they took him to the clinic. When the game was over we all went to check on him. Remember Dr Mathiesen telling my father (the coach), “Ikey, bring those boys in to see him, best medicine we can give him”. Whole baseball team trodding down the hall with metal baseball cleats on. No hospital would allow that now.
I was born in 1961. When I was in the first grade, I had an asthma attack that lasted 21 days weigh other treatments. My parents brought me to the clinic and the next morning after treatment I was jumping up and down on the bed. Believe me that was a miracle. My dad had had to carry me to bathroom and etc for 21 days.