Early History

West Annapolis, at one time was part of Anne Arundel County; then annexed into the city of Annapolis in January of 1951 along with Homewood, Parole and Eastport. This procedure caused a duplication of some street names including Severn Avenue to Melvin Avenue, Revell Street to Ridgely Avenue, Monroe Street to Shiley Street, Walton Street to Tolson Street, and Randall street to Tucker Street. Many of these were to honor the men and women from the community of “West Annapolis,” who served in the Armed Forces of the United Stated of America. An early history of the neighborhood that explains these changes and the families who once lived in West Annapolis was written and recorded by Harold R. Parkinson (a resident since 1930) on Nov. 17, 2003.

To read the full transcript, click here.

Read a book by George T. Melvin housed in the National Archives

Later History

2015 marked the 365th anniversary of a decision that gave the West Annapolis community a unique history and a connection to the major events that founded our colony and shaped our growing nation. It is the story of how our land was transformed from unclaimed wilderness to a plantation called Norwood Beale and to an Incorporated Town named West Annapolis.

To read West Annapolis – Our Roots in History, by Virginia Vroblesky (March 2012), click here.

Hart Houses on Claude

Thanks to the daughter of Walter H. Hart, who contested her father’s will in 1937, we can learn something about the history of the houses from 202 to 224 Claude Street.  As described  in Virginia Vroblesky’s book, Listening to Our Trees: A Walking Tour of West Annapolis and Wardour, after Luther Giddings’ estate was divided between his two daughters and the lots of West Annapolis were platted, Charles F. Lee and his wife, Lottie Lee, purchased many of the lots in West Annapolis in 19 , including those along Claude Street. 

To read more about the Hart Houses on Claude, click here.

Listening to our Trees

Listening to our Trees - A Walking Tour of West Annapolis and Wardour, is posted here, by Elliot Abhau, Colby Rucker and Ginny Vroblesky, Illustrations by Laurel Sprenger.

A History of West Annapolis Elementary School

The dedication of a new West Annapolis Elementary School in 2016 marked 122 years of the school in West Annapolis.

A detailed history of the West Annapolis Elementary School and its community can be found here.

West Annapolis Heritage Partnership

The West Annapolis Heritage Partnership is a joint effort by the West Annapolis Civic Association, the Wardour Improvement Association, and the West Annapolis Business Affiliation to utilize the community’s natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of residents, West Annapolis Elementary School, and the businesses along Annapolis and Forbes Streets and Ridgely Avenue.

To read more about the West Annapolis Heritage Partnership, click here.

The Life and Work of Luther Giddings

Written by John Eric Friedland, An Interesting Career: The Life and Work of Luther Giddings shares the story of Giddings and how his land ownership ultimately led to the incorporation of the Village of West Annapolis in 1890.

History of Street Signs

Written by Constance Werner Ramirez, Street Signs to History: The Story of the West Annapolis and Wardour Street Names shares the history of West Annapolis and the Wardour neighborhood through the lens of its streets and alleys.

Wardour/West Annapolis Marching Song

Wardour/West Annapolis Marching Song. Lyrics and music by Bill Douglas, arranged by Ellie Pline.