Happy Donovan getting recognition

Just a thought: Could it be about time that John Joseph Donovan replaced Dirty Dan Harris as the most celebrated of Fairhaven’s pioneers? Civil engineer, political leader and humanitarian, we could use more of his kind today. New England-born son of Irish immigrants, J.J. Donovan (along with his boss Nelson Bennett) tunneled the Cascades at Stampede Pass, bringing the Northern Pacific Railroad a direct route to Puget Sound; and then worked to link New Whatcom and Fairhaven by rail to the rest of the continent.

From the vantage point of the New Whatcom City Hall, Donovan denounced the prostitution going on in the streets below the precipice, in full view of city proceedings. But he blamed the male patrons more than the disadvantaged women. And he helped establish the Church of the Assumption.

At least J.J., along with Dirty Dan, now is eternally present in bronze in downtown Fairhaven. And, as a living reminder of what those before us have accomplished, may the elm trees (though somewhat decapitated) along South State Street survive into yet another century.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Happy Donovan getting recognition."