Baseball fever once gripped Washington. It was an Irishman’s bar that fueled the passion. That place was Donovans Corner.
Washington is indeed a baseball town. We were without a team for 34 years. But the Nationals’ rise in 2012 rekindled the fire. Opening Day is always just around the corner here at Donovans Corner.
Let me tell you about the Baseball House. It was located at 1528 7th St NW. William J. Donovan owned it. Back then, fans flocked to Boundary Field. It stood at Georgia and Florida Ave. Griffith Stadium later occupied the same spot.
Mr. Donovan was a well known figure. He was a huge advocate for baseball. The Washington Post featured him in 1894. Thousands recognized him as the genial proprietor of the Baseball House. He invented the Baseball House puzzle. It gained national attention.
Twenty five thousand puzzle cards spread across Washington. You could find them on desks from the Capitol to the White House. Senators and Representatives racked their brains. Donovan offered a diamond solitaire for the first correct solution.
A Mr. J. T. Hodgkin won the diamond ring. He lived at 913 7th St NW. Officers James M. McGrath and Mr. W.A.D. Cole secured second and third place.
The Washington Post lauded Donovan’s bar. Everyone in town seemed to adore him and his establishment.
Mr. Donovan possessed an uncanny ability. He remembered names faces and preferences. He catered to prominent figures in public life and baseball. He had an iron nerve. Donovan made many improvements to his bar. People considered it the finest in the country.
William Donovan hailed from Ireland. He arrived in the United States in 1880 at 16. He married Katie in 1887. She was a Washington native with Irish parents. There used to be a sizable Irish community here called Swampoodle.
William and Katie had five children by 1900. They lived at 1617 8th St NW. The block consisted mainly of locals. Donovan was the only foreign born resident there.
In 1909 The Washington Post declared William the most popular Irishman. He received 3849 votes. He was awarded a diamond horseshoe pin.
Mr. Macfarland remarked on the Irish Americans in the city. He said that they always made good citizens. He added that this country was fortunate to have so many Irishmen.
Sadly we don’t have anything like Donovans Corner anymore. But with baseball’s resurgence perhaps it’s time for a new Baseball House. I think the city is ready for Donovans Corner to return.