Annapolis

Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and a very pretty and historic city. We decided to go for a look. John enjoyed all of the buildings, brick work, and even some maple pecan fudge. 🙂

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.

The dome of the State Building from Main Street.

The Governor’s Mansion

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. John said he could well spend time here taking photos and looking around.

Annapolis is a harbor city on the Severn River.

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 6.35 feet (1.94 m) during a hurricane in 1933, and 5.5 feet (1.68 m) during Hurricane Hazel in 1954.