Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Planned in the Past
Main Street
— The Nicholson Town Plan —
1694
Governor Francis Nicholson
Governor of the Province of Maryland, 1694-1698
[Image captions:]
•Photograph by Carol M. Highsworth. [LC-N3503-1883]
•Portrait thought to be of Francis Nicholson, c.1710. MSA SC 1621-590. Photograph courtesy of Michael Dahl.
Francis Nicholson became governor of the province of Maryland in 1694. He was largely responsible for the relocation of Maryland's capital from St. Mary's City to the more centrally located town on the Severn River that he named Annapolis. In keeping with his interest in the established church, Nicholson designed the new capital with the Anglican Church and the State House as focal points. He also provided for a boys' grammar school.
Annapolis is a remarkable urban environment. Laid out more than 300 years ago, the city evokes a sense of history and a sense of place, expressed in the character of its streets, its relationship to the water around it, and its pleasing human scale. Governor Francis Nicholson's 1695 town plan for Annapolis is the oldest surviving Baroque city plan in the United States.
[Image
this page online
Aerial of State House, State Circle, and Government House, 1967, by Mike C. Ernst [MSA SC #140-1-583]
Nicholson Town Plan Mural
Mural location: 133 Main Street (Gorman Street Side), Annapolis
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1695.
Location. 38° 58.666′ N, 76° 29.37′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Francis Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 152 Main Street, Annapolis MD 21401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gov. Francis Nicholson (a few steps from this marker); Framework of History (a few steps from this marker); 159 Main Street (a few steps from this marker); 163 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 167 Main Street at Conduit Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 41 Cornhill Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mann's Tavern (about 300 feet away); Cornhill & Fleet Streets (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
