Cavanagh's, New York 1950

In 1876, Cavanagh’s was established as a twelve-seat clam bar, originally called Kenny’s, in New York City and at the same time the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was formed. This menu wittily notes the inauguration of two of America’s favorite pastimes in the same year - eating and baseball.

John J. Cavanagh took over the restaurant in 1894. It became popular with Tammany Hall politicians and sporting figures, especially prize-fighters, and business flourished. The restaurant expanded by taking over adjoining four story buildings and was soon hosting opera stars from the nearby Grand Opera House on Eighth Avenue.

Unlike many other restaurants Cavanagh's survived the Prohibition years because it never had a bar and didn't rely on alcohol sales. The restaurant's early specialties included oyster stews, lobster, steaks, fried oysters and chops.

The National League was established by businessman William Hubert as successor to the National Association of Professional Baseball Players which Hubert believed to have been corrupt, mismanaged, full of rowdy, drunken ballplayers and under the influence of the gambling community.

The rather plain façade of a Clearview movieplex now occupies the old Cavanagh's site at 254-260 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.