Jordan Ellis
BabyLand General Hospital, the fictional birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, is still open in Cleveland, Georgia. The hospital was opened by Xavier Roberts, the creator of the Cabbage Patch Kids, in an old medical clinic. The new BabyLand facility is now 70,000 square feet and presents itself as a real hospital with staff dressed as doctors and nurses. Visitors can take a self-guided tour, view the thousands of dolls, and witness the birth of a Cabbage Patch Kid from the Magic Crystal Tree.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | BabyLand General Hospital |
| Location | Cleveland, Georgia |
| Address | 300 N.O.K. Drive |
| Phone Number | 706-865-2171 |
| Hours | Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Days Closed | Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Founder | Xavier Roberts |
| Dolls' Birthplace | Magic Crystal Tree |
| Dolls' Delivery | Doctors and Nurses |
| Doll Types | Originals, Exclusives, Toy |
| Doll Sizes | 17-inch Babies, 20-inch 'Kids' |
| Doll Material | Vinyl, Soft Sculpture |
| Doll Features | Removable Clothing, Pacifier, Birth Certificate |
| Doll Price | $10–$70, $275+ for Originals |
| Services | Bath Camp, Surgery, Adoption |
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What You'll Learn
BabyLand General Hospital is the fictional birthplace of Cabbage Patch Dolls
BabyLand General Hospital is a fictional "birthplace" and retail facility for Cabbage Patch Dolls, located in Cleveland, Georgia. The hospital was opened by Xavier Roberts, the creator of the Cabbage Patch Dolls, in a former medical clinic. The new BabyLand facility is much larger, occupying a 70,000-square-foot building on 650 acres of land.
BabyLand General Hospital presents itself as a real hospital, with staff dressed as doctors, nurses, and orderlies carrying the dolls as if they were real babies. The hospital features a nursery filled with "Preemies" in incubators and "Lullaby Babies" in cribs, with piped-in sounds of cooing infants. Visitors can witness the birth of a Cabbage Patch Doll from the Magic Crystal Tree, delivered by "Licensed Patch Doctors and Nurses".
After witnessing a birth, visitors can select a doll for adoption and take an Oath of Adoption to become a "new parent". Each doll comes with a birth certificate and adoption papers, and there is even an option to change the name and birth date of the adopted Cabbage Patch Kid. In addition to the standard adoption process, BabyLand also offers "re-adoption" of older dolls from private collections.
BabyLand General Hospital also provides additional services such as a "Bath Camp" where Cabbage Patch parents can send their dolls for cleaning and a "surgery" where damaged dolls are repaired. The hospital is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and on Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm, with several holidays observed throughout the year. Admission to the hospital is free, and visitors are encouraged to take a self-guided tour of the facility.
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The hospital is located in Cleveland, Georgia
BabyLand General Hospital, also known as the fictional birthplace of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, is located in Cleveland, Georgia. The hospital was opened by Xavier Roberts, the creator of the Cabbage Patch Kids, in his hometown. The dolls, referred to as "babies" by the hospital staff, are born from the Magic Crystal Tree with the help of doctors and nurses. The dolls are individually made and hand-stitched in the town, and each comes with a birth certificate and adoption papers.
BabyLand General Hospital is situated in the North Georgia Mountains and offers a self-guided tour of the facility. Visitors can explore the nurseries filled with thousands of dolls waiting to be adopted and witness the birth of an Original Cabbage Patch Kid. The hospital also features a garden, created by Xavier Roberts as a tribute to his mother, Eula Roberts, who had a passion for plants and flowers.
In addition to the magical experience of witnessing doll births and adoptions, BabyLand provides a "Bath Camp" where Cabbage Patch parents can send their dolls for cleaning and a "surgery" for repairing damaged dolls. The hospital is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and on Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm, with several holidays, including Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, being exceptions.
BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia, is not just a retail facility but a destination that captures the imagination of visitors, attracting fans and collectors of all ages who cherish the magic of the Cabbage Patch Kids.
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It was created by Xavier Roberts
It was the late 1970s when a young man named Xavier Roberts came across the work of local craftswomen in Northern Georgia, who were creating handmade dolls using a traditional needle moulding technique. Fascinated by these unique dolls, Roberts acquired the rights to produce and market them, and thus, the Cabbage Patch Kids were born. Roberts established Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. and began selling these dolls, which he named 'Little People', from a small clinic building in his hometown of Cleveland, Georgia, which he whimsically dubbed the 'Babyland General Hospital'. The name and theme were a playful touch that added to the dolls' allure and unique marketing strategy. The 'hospital' served as a creative and immersive experience for visitors, with a team of 'nurses' and 'doctors' on hand to guide adoptions of these one-of-a-kind dolls, each with their own unique features and names, born, according to the story, in the magical Cabbage Patch.
The idea of 'adopting' a doll, rather than purchasing it, was a key part of the experience, with each doll coming with its own birth certificate and unique name, further enhancing the sense of connection and ownership for the new 'parents'. Roberts' creation of this immersive, narrative-driven experience was a revolutionary concept in the toy industry, and it quickly captured the imagination of children and adults alike. The Cabbage Patch Kids became a global phenomenon, with the 'Babyland General Hospital' at the heart of it all. The hospital served as a unique destination, a place of wonder and joy, where visitors could witness the 'birth' of these adorable dolls and take part in a truly special adoption process.
Xavier Roberts' creation of the Cabbage Patch Kids and the Babyland General Hospital was a masterful blend of storytelling, craftsmanship, and marketing. The dolls' unique features, with their soft fabric bodies and vinyl heads, along with the intricate details of their birth stories and the immersive hospital experience, all contributed to their immense popularity. The brand quickly expanded, with licensing deals for merchandise and a range of products bearing the Cabbage Patch Kids' likenesses, from toys and games to clothing and accessories. The success of the Cabbage Patch Kids also led to various spin-offs and special editions, further expanding the world that Roberts had created.
Today, while the Cabbage Patch Kids may not hold the same cultural prominence as they once did, the legacy of Xavier Roberts' creation endures. The 'Babyland General Hospital' still stands in Cleveland, Georgia, now serving as a combination of a museum, a store, and a tourist attraction. Visitors can still witness the birth of these beloved dolls and adopt their very own Cabbage Patch Kid, continuing the tradition that Roberts started over four decades ago. The impact of Roberts' creation extends beyond the dolls themselves, as it left a lasting mark on the toy industry, influencing marketing strategies and inspiring a new approach to immersive, narrative-driven experiences that engage and captivate consumers.
The story of Xavier Roberts and the creation of the Cabbage Patch Kids is a testament to the power of creativity, storytelling, and thinking outside the box. What started as a small-town craft has evolved into a global phenomenon, bringing joy to countless children and adults over the years. While the Cabbage Patch Kids may have since been joined by numerous other toys and trends, their place in pop culture history remains secure, and the 'Babyland General Hospital' continues to stand as a reminder of the magic that can be created when unique ideas are brought to life. The hospital, with its whimsical concept and dedicated staff, remains an enduring symbol of Roberts' vision and a beloved part of the Cabbage Patch Kids' legacy.
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Visitors can take a self-guided tour and witness the birth of a Cabbage Patch Doll
BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia, is the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Dolls. The hospital was opened by Xavier Roberts, the creator of the Cabbage Patch Kids, in his hometown. The dolls are presented as real babies, with staff dressed as doctors and nurses carrying them around as if giving them comfort.
The self-guided tour begins in the front room, where visitors can view a collection of some of the earliest Little People—the original name of the Cabbage Patch Kids—in display cases. These original dolls are hand-stitched works of soft sculpture delivered by local artists and are priced accordingly, with some ranging up to $37,000.
Moving through the swinging port-hole doors, visitors enter the nurseries for hand-stitched Original Kids and Babies. These extra-special works of art are lovingly handcrafted in Cleveland, Georgia, and are available for adoption. Each hand-stitched Original comes with its own birth certificate and adoption papers, and visitors can select their own Original Cabbage Patch Kid to adopt.
After leaving the nurseries, visitors enter a large open room with a Magic Crystal Tree as its centerpiece. Here, visitors can witness the birth of an Original Cabbage Patch Kid as they are born from the Magic Crystal Tree. While waiting for the birth, visitors can meet the Exclusive Cabbage Patch Kids in the displays and choose from a variety of adorable babies and kids available for adoption.
BabyLand General Hospital also provides additional services such as a Bath Camp where Cabbage Patch parents can send their dolls to be cleaned, and a "surgery" where damaged dolls are repaired. Admission to the hospital is free, and visitors are invited to take their time on the self-guided tour, playing with the Cabbage Patch Kids and choosing their perfect match.
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Dolls can be adopted for a fee
BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia, is the fictional "birthplace" of Cabbage Patch Dolls. The hospital was created by Xavier Roberts, the creator of the Cabbage Patch Dolls, in a former clinic. The dolls are presented as being born in the hospital, delivered by doctors and nurses from the Magic Crystal Tree.
The dolls are individually made and stitched by hand in the town, with no two dolls being exactly alike. They are considered ""works of art"" and are priced accordingly, with some being valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
The BabyLand experience is designed to feel like a real hospital, with staff dressed as doctors and nurses. Visitors are asked to sign in at the front desk, and can then take a self-guided tour of the facility. The tour includes a front room with display cases filled with some of the earliest Little People (the original name of the Cabbage Patch Dolls), as well as three nurseries filled with hand-stitched Original Kids and Babies.
After touring the nurseries, visitors can select their own Original Cabbage Patch Kid and take the Oath of Adoption to complete the adoption process. The adoption fees for the dolls vary, with some sources stating fees starting from under $10 to $70, while others state fees starting at $275. The dolls come with birth certificates and adoption papers, and new parents can even change the name and birth date of their adopted doll.
In addition to the adoption process, BabyLand also offers a ""Bath Camp"" where parents can send their dolls to be cleaned, and a "surgery" where damaged dolls can be repaired.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia, is still open.
BabyLand General Hospital is the fictional "birthplace" of the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the hospital, which is presented as a birthing, nursery, and adoption centre for premium Cabbage Patch Kids. Visitors can witness the birth of a Cabbage Patch Kid from the Magic Crystal Tree and take the Oath of Adoption to bring a baby home.
Yes, admission to the hospital is free.
BabyLand General Hospital is located in Cleveland, Georgia, in the North Georgia Mountains.
