Annapolis

Founding and Early Mentions

The history of Annapolis dates back to 1649. The city was founded by Puritan exiles from Virginia who were seeking religious freedom. The settlement on the north shore of the Severn River was originally named Providence.

The city acquired its modern name in 1694. Sir Francis Nicholson, the colonial governor, moved the capital here from St. Mary's City and named the city Annapolis in honor of Princess Anne, the future Queen of England.

Key Factors of Formation

The city's development was determined by a successful combination of geographical and political conditions:

• Geographical Location: Its position at the mouth of the Severn River on the Chesapeake Bay made the city an ideal location for a deep-water port and maritime trade.
• Political Will: Its status as the capital of the Maryland colony attracted the administrative apparatus, courts, and the legislature.
• Urban Planning: Governor Nicholson implemented a unique Baroque layout. Streets radiated from two main circles—State Circle (where the Capitol was located) and Church Circle.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the 18th century, Annapolis experienced a period of prosperity that historians often call the "Golden Age." The economy was based on tobacco exports and active port activity, which allowed a class of wealthy merchants and planters to form.

Due to the concentration of wealth and power, the city became the cultural and social center of the colonies, earning the nickname "Athens of America." Art, theater, and education flourished here, and wealthy citizens built luxurious Georgian-style mansions, many of which still grace the city's streets today.

Key Milestones in the History of Annapolis

• 1649 — Puritan settlers found the settlement of Providence on the north shore of the Severn River.
• 1694 — The city becomes the capital of the Maryland colony and is named Annapolis in honor of Princess Anne.
• 1708 — Annapolis receives a Royal Charter, officially establishing its status as a city.
• 1772 — Construction begins on the current Maryland State House, which is today the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use in the United States.
• 1783 — The city becomes the temporary capital of the United States, hosting sessions of the Continental Congress.
• 1784 — The Treaty of Paris is ratified in the State House, officially ending the American Revolutionary War.
• 1786 — The Annapolis Convention is held, which became an important precursor to the Constitutional Convention and the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
• 1845 — The United States Naval Academy is founded on the site of the former Fort Severn, becoming an integral part of the city.
• 1965 — The Colonial Annapolis Historic District is designated a National Historic Landmark.
• 2008 — The city solemnly celebrates the 300th anniversary of its city charter, confirming its status as one of America's historic centers.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Annapolis is a journey from a colonial port to a modern center for yachting tourism and education. The following key stages defined the modern appearance and status of the city:

• Implementation of the Baroque Urban Plan (1695):

  Governor Francis Nicholson developed a unique city layout based on two main circles (State and Church), from which streets radiate outward. This solution not only organized the construction but also visually emphasized the balance between secular power and religion, making the city a masterpiece of early American urbanism.

• The "Golden Age" of Architecture and Culture (Mid-18th Century):

  Thanks to income from tobacco plantations and maritime trade, a class of wealthy citizens emerged in the city. During this period, famous mansions (such as the Hammond-Harwood House) were built, turning Annapolis into an open-air museum of Georgian architecture and establishing its reputation as the cultural center of the colonies.

• Loss of Trade Dominance and Preservation (Early 19th Century):

  With the rise of Baltimore as a deep-water port, Annapolis lost its importance as the region's main trade hub. Economic stagnation paradoxically played a positive role: the lack of funds for demolition and new construction allowed the historic center to be preserved in its virtually original form to this day.

• Integration of the Naval Academy (1845):

  The founding of the academy on the site of the former Fort Severn was a turning point. This institution not only provided the city with prestige and a constant influx of population but also became a vital economic driver, linking the fate of Annapolis with the naval traditions of the United States.

• Institutionalization of Heritage Protection (1952):

  The creation of the Historic Annapolis Foundation marked a transition to the conscious management of the urban environment. The organization prevented the demolition of many historic buildings, turning historical heritage into the city's main tourist and economic asset.

• Becoming the "Sailing Capital of the World" (Second Half of the 20th Century):

  The reorientation of the economy toward the recreational sector led to the development of massive infrastructure for yachting. Annual boat shows and regattas turned the city into an international center for sailing, forming the modern tourism brand of Annapolis.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Annapolis is unique because the city has preserved a cohesive 18th-century ensemble, virtually untouched by the industrialization of the 19th century. The urban structure and the appearance of its buildings vividly reflect its history of development from a colonial port to an administrative center.

Urban Planning Concept: The Baroque Plan

Unlike most American cities with their simple grid layouts, Annapolis was designed in 1695 by Governor Francis Nicholson in the European Baroque style. The plan was based on two key circles located on high ground:

• State Circle: A symbol of secular power, where the State Capitol is located.
• Church Circle: A symbol of spiritual power, where the Anglican St. Anne's Church stands.

Radiating outward from these squares are streets that create picturesque vistas and emphasize the hierarchy of urban spaces.

Main Architectural Styles and Eras

The architectural fabric of the city is a "textbook" of American history, where each period corresponds to its own style:

• Colonial Georgian Style (18th Century)

  The dominant style of the historic center. It is characterized by symmetry, the use of red brick, decorative cornices, and prominent entrance groups.

  Iconic examples: The William Paca House and the Hammond-Harwood House. The latter is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the United States.

• Federal Style (Late 18th – Early 19th Century)

  Succeeded the Georgian style after the Revolutionary War. It features lighter proportions, graceful details, and the influence of antiquity (Neoclassicism).

  Iconic example: Many residential buildings in the dock area and redesigned interiors of public buildings.

• Beaux-Arts (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

  A monumental, ceremonial style inspired by the French school of fine arts. It contrasts sharply with the city's brick buildings and dominates the territory of the Naval Academy.

  Iconic examples: Bancroft Hall and the Naval Academy Chapel.

• Greek Revival and Victorian Eclecticism (19th Century)

  Found less frequently, mainly in the form of individual public buildings or private homes built during the city's period of economic quiet.

Iconic Structures that Shaped the City

The look of Annapolis is defined by two architectural giants symbolizing different eras:

• Maryland State House: A masterpiece of the late Georgian style. Its unique wooden dome, built without a single nail, is a dominant feature of the city skyline and is visible from any point in the harbor.
• United States Naval Academy Campus: A massive Beaux-Arts complex designed by architect Ernest Flagg. The granite facades and strict geometry of the buildings emphasize military power and discipline, creating a visual contrast with the cozy streets of the old town.

Notable Figures of Annapolis

The history of Annapolis is inextricably linked with the names of statesmen, naval officers, and creators who left their mark not only on the city's annals but also on the history of the United States.

• Sir Francis Nicholson (1655–1728)
  Role: Colonial governor and urban planner.
  Significance: It was he who moved the capital of the Maryland colony to this city and gave it the name Annapolis. Nicholson developed the unique Baroque urban plan with circular squares and radiating streets that has survived to this day.
• William Paca (1740–1799)
  Role: Lawyer, politician, third governor of Maryland.
  Significance: One of the signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. He built a magnificent mansion in the city with a terraced garden, which is now a National Historic Landmark and one of the city's main attractions.
• John Paul Jones (1747–1792)
  Role: Rear Admiral, hero of the American Revolutionary War.
  Significance: Known as the "father of the American Navy." Although he did not live in Annapolis, his remains were brought here with honors and interred in a monumental sarcophagus in the crypt of the Naval Academy Chapel, becoming a site of pilgrimage.
• Samuel Chase (1741–1811)
  Role: Lawyer, U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
  Significance: Another city resident who signed the Declaration of Independence. His home in Annapolis, known as the Chase-Lloyd House, is a striking example of Georgian architecture.
• George Bancroft (1800–1891)
  Role: Historian, diplomat, U.S. Secretary of the Navy.
  Significance: As Naval Secretary, he founded the U.S. Naval Academy in 1845 on the site of the old Fort Severn in Annapolis, forever linking the city's fate with the fleet. The academy's main dormitory building, Bancroft Hall, is named in his honor.
• Kunta Kinte (c. 1750–1822)
  Role: Historical figure, symbol of African heritage.
  Significance: An ancestor of writer Alex Haley, whose story formed the basis of the famous novel "Roots." In 1767, he was brought to the port of Annapolis on a slave ship. Today, the Alex Haley and Kunta Kinte Memorial stands on the city's waterfront, serving as a reminder of the complex history of slavery.
• Jimmy Carter (b. 1924)
  Role: 39th President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
  Significance: The most famous graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis (Class of 1946). He is the only U.S. president to have been educated at this prestigious institution.