The coronavirus is not the first pandemic to hit the Route 1 corridor. Nearly a century ago, the Spanish flu swept through the area.

The virus was an unusually deadly strain of influenza that was likely worsened by poor nutrition and wartime conditions. Either way, it left tens of millions dead around the world between January of 1918 and December of 1920.

The hardest hit were adults in their 20s and 30s as well as young children, with many dying from pneumonia that set in after the flu.

In Hyattsville, the Spanish flu hit its peak in October and November of 1918. The story can be told through a series of brief dispatches from the Washington Post.

Oct. 11, 1918: Dr. Jones Issues Call for Doctors

Dr. C. Hampton Jones, chief of the Bureau of Communicable Disease, has a general call for assistance in fighting the Flu, and announces that physicians willing to go into the counties during the epidemic will be enrolled in the United States Public Health Service and paid for their work.

“We have received a good many calls for help,” Dr. Jones states, “not so much because of the great number of cases of influenza in the counties, but because so many of the doctors are ill and unable to attend to the patients. The situation is such that we are badly in need of assistance, and I hope that there may be some physicians in a position to respond ot the call.”

A total of 1,320 cases in the counties were reported to the Department of Health yesterday. They were distributed as follows: Garret, 427; Baltimore, 193; Allegany, 20; Anne Arundel, 18; Calvert, 15; Carroll, 123; Cecil, 43, Charles, 17; Dorchester, 1; Frederick, 111; Harford, 13; Howard, 55; Kent, 17; Montgomery, 30; Prince George’s, 91; Queen Anne’s, 29; Somerset, 21; Talbot, 53; Washington, 7.

Oct. 13, 1918: ‘Flu’ Cripples Telephone Force

Hyattsville, Md. — The entire regular force of telephone operators at Upper Marlboro exchange are down with influenza.

Oct. 15, 1918: H.L. Derr Dies in Texas

Hyattsville, Md. — Word has been received here of the death in Texas of Howard L. Derr, aged, 22, formerly of this place. Death was due to pneumonia. Derr was connected with the Department of Agriculture. He served on the Mexican border, and several months ago was discharged from the army, owing to physical disability.

Oct. 25: Physician and Educator Stricken

Hyattsville, Md. — Dr. R. Early Baden, of Brandywine, one of the county’s best-known physicians, is down with influenza. Prof. W.R. Ballard of Maryland State College, is suffering from the malady at his home here.

Oct. 26: Funeral of Prof. E.F. Stoddard

Hyattsville, Md. — Funeral services for Prof. Edwin Freeman Stoddard, thirty years old, professor of vegetable gardening in the division of plant industry of the Maryland State College of Agriculture, who died Wednesday, were held this morning at 11 o’clock from the family residence. Interment was at Beltsville. Prof. Stoddard’s death was due to pneumonia. He was regarded as one of the foremost teachers of vegetable culture in the country. Prof. Stoddard was born May 14, 1888, in Carbondale, Pa., and spent his boyhood in that town. He was graduated from Pennsylvania State College in 1913 and shortly afterward married Miss Elizabeth Archibald Summy, of Philadelphia. He leaves besides his wife and two small children, his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Oct. 28, 1918: ‘Flu’ Kills Both Children in East Hyattsville Home

Hyattsville, Md. — Nora and Dennis Toomey, the only children of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Toomey of Wells avenue, East Hyattsville, were among yesterday’s influenza victims. The little girl, who was 5 years old, died during the night, and the boy, who was 3 years old, early yesterday morning. They had been ill only two days.

The parents were not stricken by the disease.

Oct. 29, 1918: ‘Flu’ Subsides at Hyattsville

Hyattsville, Md. — The influenza situation is improving in this section, and the mayor and city council, it is understood, will lift the ban on churches, at least, this week. Schools and other public gatherings will be allowed to reopen if conditions continue to improve.

Nov. 2, 1918: Influenza Fatal to Wilfred Grigsby

Hyattsville, Md. — Wilfred Grigsby, 28 years old, died of pneumonia following influenza. Interment was in Cedar Lake Cemetery.

Nov. 3, 1918: ‘Flu’ Ban Lifted in Prince Georges

Hyattsville, Md. — The influenza situation in Prince Georges county has improved so markedly that Dr. John E. Sansbury, county health officer, has granted permission to churches to open tomorrow, public places and public meetings Monday and public schools on Monday, November 11.