West Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The United States Naval Academy Bridge

Photographed by F. Robby, September 7, 2009

1. The United States Naval Academy Bridge Marker

Inscription. A bridge has served this area since 1836 when a timber trestle bridge with a swing span was built across the Severn River. It was replaced with a concrete and steel low-level drawbridge in 1924. After more than 70 years it became necessary to replace the drawbridge. In recognition of this unique location in the State Capital, near the home of the United States Naval Academy and overlooking one of the most scenic rivers in the country, Governor William Donald Schaefer's Office of Art and Culture and the State Highway Administration held a special competition in 1989 to design a new bridge. This was the first major bridge competition successfully concluded in the United States in 100 years. The winning concept, which combined engineering excellence with aesthetics, produced the current, high-level, fixed-span bridge completed in 1995. The bridge was named the United States Naval Academy Bridge to honor the school's 150-year anniversary.

[right marker] The United States Naval Academy Bridge
Commemorating 150 Years of Service to Our Country
Severn River, Annapolis

State of Maryland
1995

William Donald Schaefer,

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Governor
Louis L. Goldstein, Comptroller
Lucille Maurer, Treasurer

Maryland Department of Transportation
O. James Lighthizer, Secretary
Hal Kassoff, State Highway Administrator
Earle S. Freedman, Chief Bridge Engineer
Paul E. Matys, SHA Project Engineer-Design
Edward H. Meehan, District Engineer
Daniel C. Witt, SHA Project Engineer-Construction
Douglas N. Silber, Legal Counsel
GREINER, INCORPORATED, DESIGNER
CIANBRO CORPORATION, CONTRACTOR

[left marker] Severn River Bridge, Built 1922-24, Albert C. Ritchie - Governor, State Roads Commission, John N. Mackall - Chairman & Chief Engr., Omar D. Crothers, D.C. Winebrenner, L.H. Steuart - Secretary

Erected 1995 by State of Maryland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 38° 59.48′ N, 76° 29.508′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is in West Annapolis. It is on U.S. Naval Academy Bridge (Maryland Route 450) 0.2 miles east of Badger Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker

Photographed by F. Robby, September 7, 2009

2. The United States Naval Academy Bridge Marker

is in this post office area: Annapolis MD 21409, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Evolutions of Strawberry Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Jeannette Arctic Exploring Expedition (approx. 0.3 miles away); Henry Hays Lockwood (approx. 0.3 miles away); Husband Edward Kimmel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hammond-Harwood House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Terwilliger Brothers Field (approx. 0.4 miles away); Max E Bishop (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oyster Reef (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.

Severn River Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, September 7, 2009

3. Severn River Bridge Marker

The United States Naval Academy Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, September 7, 2009

4. The United States Naval Academy Bridge

Overlooking the Severn River, north side of the bridge.

The United States Naval Academy Bridge Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, September 7, 2009

5. The United States Naval Academy Bridge Entrance

The Seal of Maryland is on the posts at either end of the bridge.

The United States Naval Academy image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, September 7, 2009

6. The United States Naval Academy

As seen from the top of the bridge.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,597 times since then and 125 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 18, 2009, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.