Eastport in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Tale of Three Bridges
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The bridge to Annapolis has always been a key part of Eastport life.
The first wooden bridge, built in 1868, connected here at the end of Fourth Street. It served pedestrians and horse-drawn wagons. Forty years later, a larger steel bridge was built in the same location for cars and trucks. The bridge tender lived on the bridge and opened the pivoting central span by hand-crank whenever a boat needed to pass through. On hot days, the steel expanded preventing the span from closing properly until a fire truck was called to hose it down with cold water.
The drawbridge you see today, connecting Sixth Street two blocks to your left, was built in 1947 with heavy weights to counter-balance the center spans. If you hear a horn, watch how the bridge opens to let a sailboat through.
[Caption:]
Before bridges were built, Eastporters traveled to and from Annapolis by ferry to avoid the three-mile detour around the headwaters of Spa Creek.
Erected by Annapolis, London Town & South County Heritage Area, Inc.; Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park; Chesapeake Gateways Network. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles
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Location. 38° 58.326′ N, 76° 28.983′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is in Eastport. It is on Fourth Street north of Severn Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Fourth St, Annapolis MD 21403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. 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: Arnold C. Gay (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Eastport's Old Main Street (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Three Great Boat Yards, One Location (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Welcome to Eastport (about 700 feet away); Lafayettes Encampment (about 700 feet away); Eastport Veterans Park (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named The Glass Works (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heather's Hangout (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
Other markers no longer nearby. Eastport's Old "Main Street" (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named A Tale of Three Bridges (has been replaced with this marker); Three Great Boat Yards, One Location (was about
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
