City of Annapolis

City of Annapolis Municipal Water Report Information

From its earliest days as a colonial capital, Annapolis was known as the "Athens of America." Visitors from around the world gathered here to share news while enjoying the hospitality and exceptional tidewater cuisine of local establishments. Today, that same welcoming atmosphere draws over 4 million visitors annually, while remaining an excellent place to live, work, and raise families.

Sir Francis Nicholson, a Royal Governor, named the settlement after Princess Anne when he moved the capital from St. Mary's City. In 1708, as Queen, she chartered her colonial namesake as a city. The Annapolis flag depicts her royal identification—a crown over the intertwined Scottish thorn and Tudor rose of England.

Rather than using a conventional grid, Sir Francis designed the city with a baroque plan similar to European capitals. He created circles with radiating streets that emphasized key buildings: St. Anne's Episcopal Church in one circle (representing the spiritual center) and the State House in another (the seat of government). George Washington admired this urban design, which later influenced Pierre L'Enfant's plans for Washington, D.C.

Annapolis boasts more original 18th-century structures than any other American city. Wealthy merchants and planters built mansions rivaling those in England, complete with ballrooms and formal gardens for social gatherings. Many of these historic homes, which hosted numerous Founding Fathers, are now open to the public. The Historic Annapolis Foundation maintains the William Paca house as a museum and provides information about many other architectural treasures.

The arts flourished in colonial Annapolis through performers, craftsmen, and artists. The Peale family found many prominent portrait subjects here, while John Shaw, a renowned cabinetmaker, designed quality furniture and contributed significantly to the Maryland State House—the oldest capital building in continuous use in the United States. Annapolis also featured the first theater in the New World.

Today, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts serves as a vibrant center for studying, exhibiting, performing, and practicing arts. Resident companies include ballet, symphony, opera, and chorale groups who perform in its 800-seat auditorium. The facility houses artists who teach and maintain studios, frequently exhibiting their work in on-site galleries.