John Joseph (JJ) Donovan came to Bellingham in 1888 as a railroad engineer and became a lumber titan who was responsible for building up the area of Fairhaven into a thriving city. Fairhaven was eventually absorbed into what became the city of Bellingham. Today, Fairhaven remains a vibrant and popular district for dining, shopping, and a nice stroll through to the neighboring waterfront trail that leads to Boulevard Park.Â
JJ is honored here in bronze form, where he sits on a bench at the corner of 11th Street and Harris Avenue. In his hands is a replica of an actual letter than he wrote to his wife Clara. This letter was part of a collection that was lost to history until 2010, when it was found in an old trunk.
The statue was unveiled and dedicated in September 2014. It is a popular spot for both tourists and locals alike to sit so they can get a selfie with JJ. Two similar statues can also be found along the same block—one of Dirty Dan Harris, Fairhaven’s founding father, and the other of Mark Twain, in front of Village Books.Â
