Edgewater in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Tenement
This is a reconstruction of a building that stood here as London Town developed into a bustling seaport. The original building was probably a tenement. Tenements were free-standing houses that were rented out to residents. Most of the people living in early London Town, both rich and poor, lived in structures similar to this one. Artifacts found at this site show that the people who lived here were likely a lower to middle class household. A typical Chesapeake household held an average of six to eight people, including enslaved people and servants. It was common for people to live and work in the same buildings, so it is possible that the tenement could have been used as both a home and workshop.
This style of structure was very common in colonial Maryland, it was earth-fast, supported by wooden posts that were placed directly in the ground. Earth-fast structures did not last long, decaying from termites and humidity. The Tenement probably only stood for the first 30 or 40 years of London Town's existence.
Erected by Historic London Town and Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 38° 56.462′ N, 76° 32.434′ W. Marker is in Edgewater, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is on Londontown Road west of Londontown Court, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 839 Londontown Rd, Edgewater MD 21037, 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: Welcome to London Town (a few steps from this marker); Tobacco Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); William Brown House (about 300 feet
Other markers no longer nearby. Historic London Town and Gardens (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Lord Mayor's Tenement (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Dr. Hill's Medicinal Plants (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Archaeology at London Town (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Establishing a Colonial Town (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named William Brown House (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Ferry at London Town (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
