In 1918, while the United States was fighting World War I in Europe, an influenza epidemic swept the world. In Dallas, 7,000 were sickened and over 20 died. Soldiers were particularly susceptible because they lived in close quarters. So many soldiers became ill at Fort Dick (located on land that is now Dallas' Fair Park) that some were transferred to St. Paul Sanitarium on Bryan Street for care. With all hospital beds full, 45 tents--with 4 beds per tent--were set up on the St. Paul grounds to accommodate the soldiers.