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Annapolis, MD
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Annapolis, MD 21401-2472
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Annapolis is a city in the United States of America with a population of 36,408 (July 2006 est.). It is the capital of the state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. Situated at the mouth of the Severn River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, 26 miles (approx. 42 km) south of Baltimore and about 35 miles (approx. 56 km) east of Washington D.C., it is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The United States Naval Academy and St. John's College are in Annapolis. It was the site of the Annapolis peace conference in November 2007.
History Colonial & early United States (1649–1808) A settlement named Providence was founded on the north shore of the Severn River in 1649 by Puritan exiles from Virginia led by William Stone. The settlers moved to a better-protected harbor on the south shore. The settlement on the south shore was initially named "Town at Proctor's," then "Town at the Severn," and later "Anne Arundel's Towne" (after the wife of Lord Baltimore who died soon afterwards). The city became very wealthy through the slave trade.
History Colonial & early United States (1649–1808) A settlement named Providence was founded on the north shore of the Severn River in 1649 by Puritan exiles from Virginia led by William Stone. The settlers moved to a better-protected harbor on the south shore. The settlement on the south shore was initially named "Town at Proctor's," then "Town at the Severn," and later "Anne Arundel's Towne" (after the wife of Lord Baltimore who died soon afterwards). The city became very wealthy through the slave trade.
In 1694, soon after the overthrow of the Catholic government of the lord proprietor, Sir Francis Nicholson moved the capital of the royal colony there and named the town Annapolis after Princess Anne, soon to be the Queen of Great Britain; it was incorporated as a city in 1708.
From the middle of the 18th century until the War of Independence Annapolis was noted for its wealthy and cultivated society. The Maryland Gazette, which became an important weekly journal, was founded there by Jonas Green
in 1745; in 1769 a theatre was opened; during this period also the commerce was considerable, but declined rapidly after Baltimore, with its deeper harbor, was made a port of entry in 1780. Water trades such as oyster-packing, boatbuilding and sailmaking became the city's chief industries. Currently, Annapolis is home to a large number of recreational boats that have largely replaced the seafood industry in the city.
Annapolis became the temporary capital of the United States after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Congress was in session in the state house here from November 26, 1783, to June 3, 1784, and it was here on December 23, 1783, that General Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. In 1786, a convention, to which delegates from all the states of the Union were invited, was called to meet in Annapolis to consider measures for the better regulation of commerce; but delegates came from only five states (New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware), and the convention, known afterward as the "Annapolis Convention", without proceeding to the business for which it had met, passed a resolution calling for another convention to meet at Philadelphia in the following year to amend the Articles of Confederation. The Philadelphia convention drafted and approved the Constitution of the United States, which is still in force.
Civil War era (1849–late 1800s) During this period, a Parole Camp was set up in Annapolis. As the war continued, the camp expanded to a larger location just outside of the city. The area is still referred to as Parole. Wounded Union soldiers and Confederate prisoners were brought by sea to a major hospital in Annapolis.
Contemporary (1900s to present) In 1900 Annapolis had a population of 8,585.
To the north of the state house is a monument to Thurgood Marshall, the first black justice of the US Supreme Court and formerly a Maryland lawyer who won many important civil rights cases.
Close by are the state treasury building, erected late in the 17th century for the House of Delegates; Saint Anne's Protestant Episcopal church, in later colonial days a state church, a statue of Roger B. Taney (by W.H. Rinehart), and a statue of Baron Johann de Kalb.
Annapolis has many 18th century houses. The names of several of the streets - King George's, Prince George's, Hanover, and Duke of Gloucester, etc. - date from colonial days. The United States Naval Academy was founded here in 1845. Annapolis is the seat of St. John's College, a non-sectarian private college that was once supported by the state; it was opened in 1789 as the successor of King William's School, which was founded by an act of the Maryland legislature in 1696 and was opened in 1701. Its principal building, McDowell Hall, was originally to be the governor's mansion; although £4000 was appropriated to build it in 1742, it was not completed until after the War of Independence.
From September 18 to 19, 2003, Hurricane Isabel created the largest storm surge known in Annapolis's history, cresting at 7.58 feet (2.31 m). Much of downtown Annapolis was flooded and many businesses and homes in outlying areas were damaged The previous record was during a hurricane in 1933, and 5.5 feet (1.68 m) during Hurricane Hazel in 1954.
Currently facing the many difficult challenges of American cities today, Annapolis is undergoing rapid low-density development along it's edges, ever-increasing traffic congestion, as well as ecological destruction of the very bay that it depends upon. The 1998 Comprehensive Plan will soon be replaced with a new document, containing initiatives and directives of the city government on development and infrastructure. This process was mandated by Maryland state law in the Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Act of 1992. Annapolis Charter 300 and EnVISIONing Annapolis are co-sponsoring a public lecture series from September 2007 through June 2008 exploring these issues.
From mid-2007 through December 2008 the city will celebrate the 300th Anniversary of its 1708 Royal Charter, which established democratic self-governance. The many cultural events of this celebration will be organized by Annapolis Charter 300 and will include historical symposia at St. John's College and evening events such as the Queen Anne's Ball.
Facilities and Attractions The State House The Maryland State House is the oldest in continuous legislative use in the United States. Construction started in 1772, and the Maryland legislature first met there in 1779. It is topped by the largest wooden dome built without nails in the nation. The Maryland state house housed the workings of the government from November 26 1783 to August 13 1784, and the Treaty of Paris was ratified there on January 14, 1784, so Annapolis became the first peacetime capital of the US.
It was in the Maryland state house that George Washington famously resigned his commission before the Continental Congress on December 23 1783.
According to some, George Washington, who had argued vigorously for Annapolis to become the permanent home to the United States Capitol, had a strong attachment to the Maryland state house and instructed Pierre L'Enfant to model the dome of the Capitol building in Washington DC after it.
However, as noted in the United States Capitol topic, that building was not designed by Pierre L'Enfant, and no mention of this claim is found in a comprehensive history.
United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy was founded in 1845 on the site of Fort Severn, and now occupies an area of land reclaimed from the Severn River next to the Chesapeake Bay.
TheatreAnnapolis has a thriving community theatre scene which includes two venues in the historic district. On East St. is Colonial Players, a company that produces approximately six shows a year on its small theatre-in-the-round stage. During the warmer months, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre presents three shows on its stage, which is visible from the City Dock. All shows put on by King Williams Players, the student theatre group at St. John's College, are free and open to the public. Annapolis is also host to The Bay Theater Company, a non-profit professional drama group.
OtherThe Annapolis area was the home of a VLF-transmitter called NSS Annapolis, used by the United States Navy to communicate with its Atlantic submarine fleet.
Middle East Peace ConferenceAs announced by United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Annapolis was chosen as the venue for a planned Middle East summit, with the participation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ("Abu Mazen") and various other leaders from the region. The US is reported to be actively seeking the participation of Saudi Arabia, and to have assented without great enthusiasm for the participation of Syria. On the other hand, participation of the rival, Gaza-based Palestinian government headed by Hamas' Ismail Haniyeh was explicitly ruled out. The conference was held on Monday, November 26, 2007.
GeographyAnnapolis is located at (38.972945, -76.501157), 28 miles (45 km) east of Washington DC, and is the closest state capital to the national capital, Washington, DC.
The city is a part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, and is relatively flat, with the highest point being only 50 feet (15 m) above sea level.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), of which, 6.7 square miles (17.4 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (11.70%) is water..
ClimateAnnapolis lies within the humid subtropical climate zone, with hot summers and cool winters. Low elevation and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay give the area more moderate temperatures, with warmer winter temperatures and cooler summer temperatures than locations further inland, such as Washington, DC.
EducationAnnapolis is served by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system.
Founded in 1898, Annapolis High has an internationally recognized IB International Program. Nearby Broadneck High School (founded in 1983) and Annapolis both have Advanced Placement Programs. St. Mary's High School and Elementary School are located in downtown Annapolis on Spa Creek. Aleph Bet Jewish Day School, Annapolis Area Christian School, St. Martins Lutheran School Severn School, and Indian Creek School are also in the Annapolis area. The Key School, located on a converted farm in the neighborhood of Hillsmere, has also served Annapolis for over 50 years.
Noted natives and residents John Henry Alexander (1812-1867), born in Annapolis, noted scientist, businessman, and author Steve Belichick (1919-2005) father of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick Bill Belichick (1952- ) attended Annapolis High School, Three time Super Bowl winning NFL head coach for Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots John Beale Bordley (1727-1804), noted government official, farmer, and authorAlexander Brandon, videogame musician (Deus Ex, Unreal), born in Annapolis.James M. Cain, journalist and crime writerCharles Carroll (1723-1783), Continental Congressman from MarylandCharles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), United States Senator and signer of United States Declaration of IndependenceJohn Wilson Danenhower (1849-1887), Arctic explorer of the Jeannette expedition John Beale Davidge (1768-1829), doctor associated with the development of several surgeries, author, co-founder of University of Maryland, and professor thereHenry Winter Davis (1817-1865), United States Representative from Maryland Jonathan Reddick (1991-present), record breaking swimmerDaniel Dulany the Younger, (1722-1797), born in Annapolis, prominent Loyalist and one of the most powerful lawyers in American prior to the American Revolutionary War Robert Duvall, actor, lived in downtown Annapolis Dying Fetus, technical/brutal death metal bandBruce Farr, yacht designerGavin Floyd, baseball pitcher for the Chicago White SoxJohn Davidson Godman, (1794-1830), born in Annapolis, noted naturalist, anatomist, college professor and author. John Hall, (1729-1797), born in Annapolis, delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland.Alexander Contee Hanson (1749-1806), born in Annapolis, noted jurist. Alexander Contee Hanson, (1786-1819), born in Annapolis, son of the above, United States Congressman and Senator from Maryland. Reverdy Johnson, (1796-1876), born in Annapolis, United States Senator from Maryland and Attorney General of the United States. Barbara Kingsolver, fiction writer (born in Annapolis, but raised in Kentucky)James Booth Lockwood, (1852-1884), born in Annapolis, army officer and Arctic explorer, was the person who named Lockwood Island. Ronald Damien Malfi, novelistMargaret Mercer, (1791-1846), born in Annapolis, noted author, educator, and member of the American Colonization Society. William Duhurst Merrick, (1818-1889), born in Annapolis, lawyer, professor at George Washington University, and United States Senator from Maryland. Debbie Meyer, Olympic swimmerWilliam Paca (October 30, 1740–October 23, 1799), was a signatory to the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland.Travis Pastrana, motorcross championBilly Martin (musician), (raised in Annapolis) (Good Charlotte)Spencer K. Stephens, is a prominent business attorney and rock musician who pioneered the theory of relative self determinism. Leo Strauss, (September 20, 1899 – October 18, 1973), was a German-born Jewish political philosopher who specialized in the study of classical philosophy. Spent his last three years of life teaching at St. Johns in Annapolis.Mark Teixeira, professional baseball player for the Atlanta BravesNeighborhoods and suburbsAdmiral HeightsAnnapolis WalkArchstone Annapolis BayArnoldBay HeadBay RidgeBywaterCape St. ClaireCape St. JohnCroftonCrownsvilleDowntown (Also known as the Historic District)EastportEdgewaterEpping ForestForest DriveGermantownHillsmere ShoresMurray HillParolePresident's HillRivaRolling KnollsSaefernSeverna ParkSherwood ForestSt. MargaretsWest Annapolis
Sister CitiesAnnapolis is a sister city of these municipalitie:
Tallinn, Estonia Newport, Wales, UK Dumfries, Scotland, UK Wexford, Republic of Ireland Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada Karlskrona, Sweden Redwood City, California, USA
External linksAnnapolis official websiteUnited States Naval AcademySt.Johns CollegeAnnapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors BureauHistoric images of AnnapolisMemorials, monuments & other outdoor art in & around AnnapolisInside Annapolis Magazine
Annapolis.comMurray Hill Residents Association
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tags:
military, museum
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By Deborbanate
3 days
This 3-Day vacation to Maryland's State Capital has you staying at the Capital KOA Campground, where you can bring your own tent, RV, or rent a mini-cabin for the duration.
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By Ingrid
5 days
This 5-Day vacation to Maryland's State Capital allows you to check out the beaches & parks in Annapolis along with the culture found there. A good combination trip, while staying at a nice hotel with a pool for the duration (nothing like a dip between getting back from your activities & relaxing in the hotel for a bit before going out to dinner).
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3 people reviewed Annapolis
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Top
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at 4:46PM May 29, 2008
lovely little place
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at 7:10AM May 29, 2008
Lived there most of my life. Small town that is growing into quite the tourist destination, nestled in between both Baltimore and Washington D.C. If you enjoy seafood and the water, visit during the late summer or fall months. Beware, summer months can be hot and humid, much like other places on the east coast. However, if you are on the water (especially the Bay) there is usually a nice breeze. Right now I live in Maryland about 45 minutes away and enjoy going back a few times a month to visit family and friends. Let me know if you ever plan on going and need a few recommendations for places to stay, things to do, places to go for dinner or good bars downtown.
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at 3:32AM May 29, 2008
I grew up here and worked on the main street for awhile. This is a beautiful and fun town to stroll through. 49 West and City Dock cafe are my favorite spots to chill.
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