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History of Annapolis, Maryland, USA
Journey back in time to Annapolis, Maryland, USA
Explore Annapolis, Maryland, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Annapolis Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
Annapolis, Anne Arundel, Maryland, USA
Annapolis was known as the Athens of America during the seventeenth century and once served as the capital of the United States.
The United States Naval Academy was founded on October 10, 1845 at Annapolis.
Annapolis is known as the sailing capital of the world.
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Annapolis Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
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Naval Academy seen from the Dome of the State House
Annapolis, Maryland, USA
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State Capitol
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Governor's Mansion
Discover Annapolis: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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1728 - First Newspaper in Maryland
The first [newspaper] in Maryland was "The Maryland Gazette," issued at Annapolis in the summer of 1728.
colonialwarsct.org/1755.htm
The first [newspaper] in Maryland was "The Maryland Gazette," issued at Annapolis in the summer of 1728.
colonialwarsct.org/1755.htm
1773 - October 14 - American Revolutionary War: The United Kingdom's East India Company tea ships' cargo are burned at Annapolis, Maryland.
historyorb.com
historyorb.com
1854 - Annapolis
Annap'olis, a city and port of entry, capital of the state of Maryland, and of Ann Arundel county, on the right bank of Severn river, 2 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake bay, 26 miles S. by E. from Baltimore, and 37 miles E. by N. from Washington. Lat. 38° 58' 50" N., Lon. 76° 29' W. The Annapolis and Elk Ridge railroad, 21 miles long, connects it with the Baltimore and Washing ton railroad. Annapolis contains a fine state- house, a naval academy, a bank, 2 or 3 churches, a market-house, and 2 printing offices. It is the seat of St. John's College, found ed in 1784 by the Roman Catholics, but at present supported and directed by Protestants. Three newspapers are issued at Annapolis. A United States naval academy, having for its object to qualify young men to become officers in the navy, was established here in 1845. Population in 1850, 3011.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
Annap'olis, a city and port of entry, capital of the state of Maryland, and of Ann Arundel county, on the right bank of Severn river, 2 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake bay, 26 miles S. by E. from Baltimore, and 37 miles E. by N. from Washington. Lat. 38° 58' 50" N., Lon. 76° 29' W. The Annapolis and Elk Ridge railroad, 21 miles long, connects it with the Baltimore and Washing ton railroad. Annapolis contains a fine state- house, a naval academy, a bank, 2 or 3 churches, a market-house, and 2 printing offices. It is the seat of St. John's College, found ed in 1784 by the Roman Catholics, but at present supported and directed by Protestants. Three newspapers are issued at Annapolis. A United States naval academy, having for its object to qualify young men to become officers in the navy, was established here in 1845. Population in 1850, 3011.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1858 - Burning of a Church.
BALTIMORE, Monday, Feb. 15. - St. Ann's Episcopal Church, at Annapolis, was destroyed by fire last night. It was one of the oldest churches in the State. The fire caught from one of the pues [sic].
The New York Times
New York, New York
February 15, 1858
BALTIMORE, Monday, Feb. 15. - St. Ann's Episcopal Church, at Annapolis, was destroyed by fire last night. It was one of the oldest churches in the State. The fire caught from one of the pues [sic].
The New York Times
New York, New York
February 15, 1858
1883 - A LARGE FIRE AT ANNAPOLIS. TEN HOUSES BURNED, TWO LIVES LOST, AND SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED.
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Oct. 22. - By the bursting of a lighted coal-oil lamp in the store of Louis S. Clayton, on Market-space here, about 4 o'clock this morning, a fire was started which caused the destruction of over $60,000 worth of property, the loss of two lives, and the injury of several other persons. Three loud explosions, which shook the houses for two squares on either side of Clayton's establishment, aroused the sleeping citizens of that portion of the city, and was the first intimation of the fire. The next instant flames leaped from the windows of the building. It was either a keg of powder or a barrel of coal-oil that caused the loud explosive reports. Although Annapolis is a large town, with the State-house and other valuable buildings in it, there is only one hand fire-engine in the town, and that was no good. The fire-engine from the United States Naval Academy did good service, and an engine was sent from Baltimore, but arrived too late to render service. A block of the... Read MORE...
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Oct. 22. - By the bursting of a lighted coal-oil lamp in the store of Louis S. Clayton, on Market-space here, about 4 o'clock this morning, a fire was started which caused the destruction of over $60,000 worth of property, the loss of two lives, and the injury of several other persons. Three loud explosions, which shook the houses for two squares on either side of Clayton's establishment, aroused the sleeping citizens of that portion of the city, and was the first intimation of the fire. The next instant flames leaped from the windows of the building. It was either a keg of powder or a barrel of coal-oil that caused the loud explosive reports. Although Annapolis is a large town, with the State-house and other valuable buildings in it, there is only one hand fire-engine in the town, and that was no good. The fire-engine from the United States Naval Academy did good service, and an engine was sent from Baltimore, but arrived too late to render service. A block of the... Read MORE...
1895 - Annapolis
Annapolis, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Mary land and of Anne Arundel co., is on the S.W. bank of the Severn River, 2 or 3 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay, 30 miles S. by E. from Baltimore, and about 40 miles by railroad E. by N. from Washington. Lat. 38° 58' 50" N.; lon. 76° 30' W. It is a terminus of the Annapolis, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, which connects with the Washington Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It contains the governor's house, a fine state-house, 6 churches, 2 national banks, the United States Naval Academy, St. John's College (which was founded in 1789), a house of the Redemptorists, a convent, &c. One daily and 6 weekly newspapers are published here. The naval academy was established here in 1845, was removed during the civil war, and was re-established in 1865. Annapolis has 12 oyster packing establishments. This town was founded about 1649, and was first called Providence. In 1708 it was chartered as a city, and received the... Read MORE...
Annapolis, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Mary land and of Anne Arundel co., is on the S.W. bank of the Severn River, 2 or 3 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay, 30 miles S. by E. from Baltimore, and about 40 miles by railroad E. by N. from Washington. Lat. 38° 58' 50" N.; lon. 76° 30' W. It is a terminus of the Annapolis, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, which connects with the Washington Branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It contains the governor's house, a fine state-house, 6 churches, 2 national banks, the United States Naval Academy, St. John's College (which was founded in 1789), a house of the Redemptorists, a convent, &c. One daily and 6 weekly newspapers are published here. The naval academy was established here in 1845, was removed during the civil war, and was re-established in 1865. Annapolis has 12 oyster packing establishments. This town was founded about 1649, and was first called Providence. In 1708 it was chartered as a city, and received the... Read MORE...
1900 - Annapolis - Ye Ancient City by Sara Andrew Shafer
Neither of the North nor of the South, of the Old nor of the New, the fair State of Maryland possesses a thousand charms that are all her own, as she clasps the blue, river fringed Chesapeake to her breast, and stretches out her lovely leagues of hill and vale, of field and forest and rocky glen, from where the sun rises out of the ocean beyond her "East'n Sho'" to where he sets behind the mountain ramparts of her western frontier. And of Maryland surely the heart lies in the quaint old city on the Severn, where the days are longer, the nights stiller, the sunshine more full of peace, and the moonlight more fraught with mystery than any place else in the world. To saunter through the streets of "Ye Ancient City" of Annapolis is to take a University Extension course in American history; to gaze upon her old houses is to behold the finest type of colonial architecture; while to read her annals is to be fired with the truest patriotism and to mingle in the best society of the picturesque ... Read MORE...
Neither of the North nor of the South, of the Old nor of the New, the fair State of Maryland possesses a thousand charms that are all her own, as she clasps the blue, river fringed Chesapeake to her breast, and stretches out her lovely leagues of hill and vale, of field and forest and rocky glen, from where the sun rises out of the ocean beyond her "East'n Sho'" to where he sets behind the mountain ramparts of her western frontier. And of Maryland surely the heart lies in the quaint old city on the Severn, where the days are longer, the nights stiller, the sunshine more full of peace, and the moonlight more fraught with mystery than any place else in the world. To saunter through the streets of "Ye Ancient City" of Annapolis is to take a University Extension course in American history; to gaze upon her old houses is to behold the finest type of colonial architecture; while to read her annals is to be fired with the truest patriotism and to mingle in the best society of the picturesque ... Read MORE...
1908 - EIGHT KILLED IN COLLISION. Special Cars Collide During Commencement at the Naval Academy. CONFUSED ORDERS CAUSED ACCIDENT.
Several Extra Cars on Line to Take Care of Commencement Visitors.
Scores of Others Seriously Injured and Some of Them Perhaps Fatally -Accident Due to a Confusion of Orders and Occurred Shortly Before 7 O'clock - One Unidentified Woman Among the Dead.
Annapolis, Md., June 5. - In a head-on collision between two special cars on the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis electric railroad shortly before 7 o'clock tonight eight persons were killed outright and a score of others were seriously injured, some of them perhaps fatally. The collision was due to a confusion of orders as the line has been running several extra cars each way in connection with the commencement festivities at the naval academy.
The dead are:
RICHARD NORTON, 25 years old, Baltimore.
A. H. SCHULTZ, 40 years old, Baltimore.
POLICEMAN SHREIBER, 40, employed by the railway company at Academy Junction.
UNIDENTIFIED WHITE WOMAN, apparently about 25, said to be from Baltimore and dressed in a ball costume.
ZACH ... Read MORE...
Several Extra Cars on Line to Take Care of Commencement Visitors.
Scores of Others Seriously Injured and Some of Them Perhaps Fatally -Accident Due to a Confusion of Orders and Occurred Shortly Before 7 O'clock - One Unidentified Woman Among the Dead.
Annapolis, Md., June 5. - In a head-on collision between two special cars on the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis electric railroad shortly before 7 o'clock tonight eight persons were killed outright and a score of others were seriously injured, some of them perhaps fatally. The collision was due to a confusion of orders as the line has been running several extra cars each way in connection with the commencement festivities at the naval academy.
The dead are:
RICHARD NORTON, 25 years old, Baltimore.
A. H. SCHULTZ, 40 years old, Baltimore.
POLICEMAN SHREIBER, 40, employed by the railway company at Academy Junction.
UNIDENTIFIED WHITE WOMAN, apparently about 25, said to be from Baltimore and dressed in a ball costume.
ZACH ... Read MORE...
1910 - FIND SAILBOAT DRIFTING. Believed Midshipman and Two Others Are Drowned.
ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 28 - Mrs. Nellie E. Bower, widow of Joseph Bower and daughter-in-law of John M. Bower, superintendent of the naval academy, and Midshipman Grisble Thomas of Union Point, Ga., and Sherman M. Nason of Newport, R. I., left the naval academy about 11 o'clock this morning in a sailboat which was found drifting on the Severn river this afternoon. In it were portions of the clothing that had been worn by the members of the party. It is believed that the men took Mrs. Bower to the bathing shore used by the naval academy people, and attempted to teach her to swim, and that all three were drowned. Efforts to recover the bodies had been fruitless up to a late hour tonight.
The Nebraska State Journal
Lincoln, Nebraska
June 29, 1910
ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 28 - Mrs. Nellie E. Bower, widow of Joseph Bower and daughter-in-law of John M. Bower, superintendent of the naval academy, and Midshipman Grisble Thomas of Union Point, Ga., and Sherman M. Nason of Newport, R. I., left the naval academy about 11 o'clock this morning in a sailboat which was found drifting on the Severn river this afternoon. In it were portions of the clothing that had been worn by the members of the party. It is believed that the men took Mrs. Bower to the bathing shore used by the naval academy people, and attempted to teach her to swim, and that all three were drowned. Efforts to recover the bodies had been fruitless up to a late hour tonight.
The Nebraska State Journal
Lincoln, Nebraska
June 29, 1910
1916
Annapolis, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Maryland and of Anne Arundel co., is on the SW. bank of the Severn River, 2 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay and 26 miles S. by E. of Baltimore. It is on the Annapolis, Washington and Baltimore and the Baltimore and Annapolis Short-Line Rs. Lat. 38° 58' 50" N. ; Lon. 76° 30' W. It contains the governor's house, state-house, the United States Naval Academy, St. John's College (which was founded in 1789), etc. The naval academy was established here in 1845, was removed during the Civil War, and was re-established in 1865. Annapolis has many oyster- packing establishments, this being its chief industry. The town was founded about 1649, and was first called Providence. In 1708 it was chartered as a city and received the name of Annapolis, in honor of Queen Anne. It is a quaint and quiet place, with more of the air of a European than of an American city. Pop. in 1900, 8402.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Annapolis, a city, port of entry, and the capital of Maryland and of Anne Arundel co., is on the SW. bank of the Severn River, 2 miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay and 26 miles S. by E. of Baltimore. It is on the Annapolis, Washington and Baltimore and the Baltimore and Annapolis Short-Line Rs. Lat. 38° 58' 50" N. ; Lon. 76° 30' W. It contains the governor's house, state-house, the United States Naval Academy, St. John's College (which was founded in 1789), etc. The naval academy was established here in 1845, was removed during the Civil War, and was re-established in 1865. Annapolis has many oyster- packing establishments, this being its chief industry. The town was founded about 1649, and was first called Providence. In 1708 it was chartered as a city and received the name of Annapolis, in honor of Queen Anne. It is a quaint and quiet place, with more of the air of a European than of an American city. Pop. in 1900, 8402.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1917 - MIDSHIPMEN FIGHT FIRE. Dangerous Blaze at Annapolis Prevented by Them from Spreading.
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 27. - A battalion of midshipmen from the Naval Academy tonight fought a fire which started in the business section of this city. When the fire got beyond control of citizens, the cadets were dispatched by Superintendent Edward W. Eberle with bluejackets and two fireboats, and kept the fire from spreading.
Captains Eberle and Louis M. Nulton directed the work of the middies.
The New York Times
New York, New York
February 28, 1917
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 27. - A battalion of midshipmen from the Naval Academy tonight fought a fire which started in the business section of this city. When the fire got beyond control of citizens, the cadets were dispatched by Superintendent Edward W. Eberle with bluejackets and two fireboats, and kept the fire from spreading.
Captains Eberle and Louis M. Nulton directed the work of the middies.
The New York Times
New York, New York
February 28, 1917
Here's a list of places to go and activities to enjoy in and around Annapolis:
U.S. Naval Academy: Explore the beautiful grounds of the United States Naval Academy. Take a guided tour to learn about the history of this prestigious institution and see landmarks like Bancroft Hall and the Naval Academy Chapel.
City Dock: Stroll along City Dock, a picturesque area along the waterfront. Enjoy the views of sailboats, grab a bite to eat at one of the waterfront restaurants, or simply relax and people-watch.
Maryland State House: Visit the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use. Take a guided tour to learn about its history and significance.
William Paca House and Garden: Step back in time at the William Paca House, a beautifully restored 18th-century home. Explore the garden, which is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city.
Annapolis Maritime Museum: Discover the maritime history of Annapolis at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The exhibits highlight the city's connections to the Chesapeake Bay and its seafood... Read MORE...
U.S. Naval Academy: Explore the beautiful grounds of the United States Naval Academy. Take a guided tour to learn about the history of this prestigious institution and see landmarks like Bancroft Hall and the Naval Academy Chapel.
City Dock: Stroll along City Dock, a picturesque area along the waterfront. Enjoy the views of sailboats, grab a bite to eat at one of the waterfront restaurants, or simply relax and people-watch.
Maryland State House: Visit the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use. Take a guided tour to learn about its history and significance.
William Paca House and Garden: Step back in time at the William Paca House, a beautifully restored 18th-century home. Explore the garden, which is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city.
Annapolis Maritime Museum: Discover the maritime history of Annapolis at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The exhibits highlight the city's connections to the Chesapeake Bay and its seafood... Read MORE...
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Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Annapolis, Maryland, USA
We currently have information about 12 ancestors who were born or died in Annapolis.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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Maryland Crab Defender Ceramic Cofeee Mug
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Patriotic Memories: Memorial Day Vintage Postcard Coffee Mug
Remembering the Brave, Honoring the Fallen Celebrate the spirit of Memorial Day with this stunning ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcards commemorating the holiday. Perfect for honoring the brave men and women who served, this mug is both a functional keepsake and a nostalgic work of art. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or enjoying an afternoon tea, this dishwasher-safe and microwave-friendly mug is a timeless way to show your patriotism. Ideal as a gift for veterans, history buffs, or anyone who cherishes American traditions, this mug makes Memorial Day even more meaningful.
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