History of Bay Ridge

Millions of Americans will head to the beach this summer for vacation. It's a tradition that started during the industrial revolution. As incomes increased, more and more people wanted to get away from the cities so they looked for places to take vacations. In 1879, Annapolis businessman James Vansant began developing Tolley Point Farm into a resort and amusement park.  In 1886 he decided to expand the boardwalk and hotel. The Bay Ridge Company was formed and bonds where sold to help defer costs.

Source: Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad President bought half of the available bonds giving him controlling interest in the resort. Thousands of visitors flocked to the area by steam ship and railroad. It was dubbed the 'Queen Resort of the Chesapeake."


The resort fell on hard times and closed in 1915 after a fire destroyed the hotel and much of the park. The home on 11 Barry is the only thing left of the resort. The beautiful home was the caretaker's of the resort.

In 1922, investors changed the property over to a residential area and marketed the lots as a summer colony. They had mixed results with only 70 built. Families would come in just for the summer. The Depression hit and a proposed hotel on Bay Drive was scrapped. Bay Ridge became a year round community when World War II hit and the need for housing increased.  Which is how it got its start as we know it today.  Most of the homes have been re-done over the years, but never lost its charm.

113 Bay Drive, Annapolis, MD


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Thinking about buying or selling? I would love to help.

Greg Beckman
Coldwell Banker Residential Properties
Cell 410-474-8995
Office 410-263-8686

Sources:
Maryland Archives of Historic Properties

63 Franklin

Walking down the streets of Annapolis you can feel the history. From the brick paved roads,

to the wood siding,

to the grand homes...

history surrounds you. I often wonder about the homes in the area. Who lived there? When were they built? Basically what's the story behind the home. Being a real estate agent in Annapolis is like a dream come true. I now get to go inside some of those homes.

Take for instance, 63 Franklin. This house sits high above the street in Murray Hill just steps away from Church Circle. The home had it's original floors and fireplaces. You take a walk down the stairs to the basement you can see where the stairs were worn from the years of being used. Even the door hinges were original with a beautiful design.

I started to wonder about the house's history.  But put it on the back burner. When we arrived at closing, the seller had a great surprise for us. They had some of the history of the home.

The house was living quarters for the Cochran Bryan school. This preparatory school was located on 91 Cathedral and normally enrolled 50 students. Most of them where trying to get into the Naval Academy, like Arthur Walker Bryan a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and Cochran grad in 1928. During World War II the school changed its name to the Bryan Prepatory School. 

Take a look at the brochure the seller gave us. The exterior of the house looks the same as it did all those years ago.

More information about 63 Franklin

By Michelle Doell
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Direct 410-474-8995
Office 410-263-8686