Archbold Remembers John F. "Jack" Archbold

One hundred years ago, John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital opened in Thomasville. Fueled by community support and a mission to bring the nation’s best care to South Georgia, Archbold has been a leader in the region for a century. 

Throughout 2025, as we celebrate this milestone, Archbold will recognize people and events from our century-long history that helped make Archbold what it is today. It is only appropriate to begin with Archbold's founder, a man whose vision and philanthropy changed healthcare in our region forever. 

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John F. “Jack” Archbold, son of Archbold Memorial’s namesake, John D. Archbold, was recognized in January 1932 when a memorial portrait of him was unveiled in the hospital's main lobby. Archbold remembers the life and legacy of Jack Archbold 93 years later.

John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital was the result of a $1.5 million gift made to the Southwest Georgia community by Jack Archbold in memory of his father. The elder Archbold was a close confidant of John D. Rockefeller and later served as president of the Standard Oil Company.

Jack Archbold was born in New York and first came to Thomasville as one of the region’s many wealthy northern visitors. He eventually purchased land on the Ochlockonee River in Thomas County and established Chinquapin Plantation.

Jack Archbold's impact on Archbold and our greater community is seen every day. He saw a need in the community, purchased land on Gordon Avenue, donated money for the cutting-edge building’s construction, and saw to its proper management for the rest of his life. Archbold has him to thank for its iconic Mediterranean Revival design and tradition of community-led philanthropic support.

Archbold died in January 1930, but his legacy remains throughout our region. Soon after his death, a memorial portrait was commissioned to hang beside his father’s painting in the hospital’s lobby.

Jack’s daughter, Frances, unveiled the memorial portrait on January 19, 1932. It was painted by renowned New York society portrait artist Kyohei Inukai. Although some of his friends didn’t think it sufficiently captured his cheerful demeanor, the Thomasville Times-Enterprise said it was “a marvelous piece of work.”

Next time you are in the main lobby at Archbold Memorial, take a moment to think about the incredible impact Jack Archbold had on our community. In the words of Archbold historian Chip Bragg, “Jack Archbold was not just another rich Yankee, but someone who truly loved Thomasville and was involved in the community.”

For more Archbold historical facts and centennial information, please visit www.archbold.org/100.