Dr. Benjamin C. Stewart, son of John L. and Elizabeth Stewart, was born in 1875 in Rose Hill, AL. Little is known about his early education other than he received his medical training from Memphis, Tennessee. He married Sarah Love Grant in 1895. Dr. Stewart moved his medical practice to Opp in the Fall of 1900 and Sarah followed in the Spring of 1901. The Stewarts lived with Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Foster while their home was being built. That first house burned, and they rebuilt on the NE comer of Whaley and Hart the neo-classical “treasure” we know as the Stewart House.
Dr. Stewart was prominently affiliated with the city’s social, civic and religious life, and played a major role in the progress of Opp, where for a quarter of a century he identified himself with the progressive movements of the time and contributed largely toward the progress and building of this community. Besides his medical practice he was interested in the development and growth of the town, serving as a councilman and as Mayor of Opp. He was a member of the Board of Stewards of, taught the Men’s Bible Class, and was very involved with the planning, and eventual building of the brick structure for First Methodist at the corner of Ida and College. When the building was completed Dr. Stewart led the fund-raising effort that saw the building paid for in one month. He was Worshipful Master of the
Opp Masonic Lodge and greatly beloved by his fellow members in his own lodge and Masonic and Shriner brothers throughout the state.
In 1920 Mr. Douglas gathered Opp’s merchants and businessmen to discuss and begin a Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Stewart was the man Mr. Douglas chose to select the first Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Dr. Stewart personally wanted Opp to have a hospital. In 1923 Dr. B.C. Stewart, Dr. J.C. McLeod, Dr. G.C. Nix tried to start a hospital on the second floor of the Woodham warehouse on Railroad Avenue (East Covington Avenue now) but that did not work out. Dr. Stewart bought the lot at the corner of Main Street and Hart Avenue and signed contracts to build “The Stewart Building”. The main floor would be Dean’s Pharmacy, the second floor would be a hospital and doctor’s office, and the third floor would be the Masonic Hall. In 1925 the Stewart Building was completed, and the Masons and Eastern Star took the entire third floor of the building. Dr. Stewart’s office was not used much, and the hospital was put on hold due to the Doctor’s failing health. In 1926, Dr. Stewart had a massive heart attack and spent the greater part of the year in the Andalusia Hospital until his death in 1927.
A prominent physician and beloved pioneer citizen of Opp gave his life to our town. Dr. Stewart had the support of a smart, educated woman who was ahead of her time, and kept up with the outside world and was interested in other people. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
