Eastport in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Start of Something Big
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Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
1. The Start of Something Big Marker
This is where Eastport's famed boat building industry began. On this site in 1868, a German immigrant named Wilhelm Heller began crafting fine wooden boats. His reputation spread and business flourished. Heller's became the largest boatyard on Spa Creek serving both commerical fishing boats and pleasure craft.
After Heller died in 1916, his son Henry ran the yard. Over the next twenty years, traditional wooden workboats like skipjacks, bugeyes, and pungy schooners slowly disappeared from the Chesapeake Bay. When Henry died in 1936, the yard closed.
Later, modern boatyards moved into the area. Notice the machinery now used to haul boats from the water to get them "on the hard" for service and repairs.
[Captions:]
Marine railways were used to haul boats ashore for repairs.
In the foreground, a skipjack has been raised from the water on the marine railway. Two others are "on the hard" beyond.
Erected by Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Four Rivers Garden Club. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Central Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named The Start of Something Big (a few steps from this marker); Heather's Hangout (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Eastport's Oldest House (about 700 feet away); The Glass Works (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Murphy's Row (approx. 0.2 miles away); Three Great Boat Yards, One Location (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ricketts Hall (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named The Fort at Horn Point (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
Other markers no longer nearby. Eastport's Oldest House (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Glass Works (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Murphy's Row
Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
2. The Start of Something Big Marker
Photographed by F. Robby, January 28, 2008
3. Spa Creek
View of Spa Creek and the Naval Academy beyond.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,142 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 24, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.
