Broadneck Peninsula

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The Broadneck Peninsula is an area in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The area is north of the Severn River, South of the Magothy River and west of the Chesapeake Bay. At the lower end of the Broadneck Peninsula is the 4.3 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

History

Bordered by the Magothy River on the north, the Severn River on the south, and Chesapeake Bay on the east, the Broadneck is one of Anne Arundel County's largest peninsulas. It holds the distinction of being the site of Anne Arundel County's first European settlement in 1649. The first settlers were several hundred non-conformist Puritans from Virginia who were invited by Maryland's proprietary ruler, Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, to settle on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The Virginia Puritans established a dispersed hamlet at the mouth of the Severn River which they called "Providence" or "Severn." It was centered on the north shore of the Severn, between Greenberry Point and Hackett's Point.[1] It was abandoned in about 1670 because Annapolis had a better harbor. During this time, the area formed by Mill and Whitehall Creeks was known as "Broadneck," a name which later was applied to the entire peninsula.

By the late 17th century, the hamlet of Providence had expanded up the Broadneck Peninsula; plantations hugged the shorelines of the Severn and Magothy Rivers and filled much of the interior land. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the land use of the Broadneck area remained rural, supporting large plantations of tobacco and diversified crops. Annapolis served as the market center for these farms. In the late 18th century, some of the Annapolis political and social elite owned land on the north shore of the Severn. Among them, was Governor Horatio Sharpe who in 1763 purchased 814 acres where he constructed a rural retreat or country house for entertainment. This grand house, known as Whitehall, is today considered to be one of the finest examples of classical architecture in America. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark. During this same period, John Hesselius, the renowned Maryland portrait artist owned a large plantation known as Belfield, adjacent to Whitehall. Hesselius lived nearby in Annapolis at Primrose Hill. John Gibson, another prominently connected Annapolitan, built the five-part Georgian house at Sandy Point circa 1815. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The African American community of Mulberry Hills was established after the Civil War by freed slaves who had lived and worked in the area prior to the war. Many of the early founders, including Stansbury, Green, Johnson and Little, have descendants that still live in the Annapolis area today.

Communities

The Broadneck Peninsula is made up of several residential neighborhoods, including Arnold, Cape St. Claire, and St. Margaret's. Two postal Zip Codes are assigned to the peninsula: Annapolis, 21409 and Arnold, 21012. The physical peninsula also includes most of Severna Park, 21146.

Transportation

Education

Broadneck is served by the Anne Arundel County Public School System.

Elementary Schools:

Middle Schools:

High School:

Private Schools:

  • Chesapeake Academy

Local Attractions

Sandy Point State Park:This magnificent State Park on the Broadneck Peninsula is a recreational paradise with beaches and picnic areas that provide unparalleled views of the Chesapeake Bay and a host of summer and winter activities. The main marina offers 22 boat launching ramps for boats and personal water craft. There is also a small craft launch area for kayak, catamaran and hobby cats. Visitors to Sandy Point also enjoy wildlife viewing and bird watching.

Baltimore & Annapolis Trail: a rail trail connecting Annapolis to Glen Burnie and passing through Arnold.

Broadneck Peninsula Trail: Phase I. of this recreational trail began in 2012. The Broadneck Peninsula Trail is a proposed 6.6 mile east-west trail linking Sandy Point State Park with the B&A Trail in Arnold. The trail will primarily utilize property within the right-of-way of College Parkway and will provide links to Anne Arundel Community College, elementary and middle schools, Broadneck High School, Broadneck Library, and numerous community parks. The trail will be a component of the American Discovery Trail.

Broadneck Park:located on the peninsula; This park contains ball fields, children's play ground, jogging trail and a dog park. The dog park has two enclosed areas for dogs (small and large). Andy Smith Equestrian Center is also located adjacent to the park.

Broadneck is also know for it's golf and boating recreation, Bay Hills Golf Club was designed in 1969 by renowned golf course architect Ed Ault. The scenic 18 hole golf course finds its beauty in its wooded rolling terrain. The Broadneck peninsula is also home to numerous marinas and private community beaches.

Anne Arundel Community College:located in Arnold along College Parkway, and is annually rated one of the top community colleges in the nation.[citation needed]

Real Estate

The Broadneck Peninsula is home to many impressive homes and waterfront real estate.

Wroxeter on the Severn: Built in 1909, this 22 room mansion is an outstanding example of Tudor revival style. This building is an architectural masterpiece and one of Maryland's grandest homes for the early 20th century.[2]

Whitehall: Whitehall Mansion was built for Governor Sharpe on a 1,000 acre estate overlooking the north bank of the Severn River. (1764-5)

Waterways

  • Magothy River (North Shore)
  • Severn River (South Shore)
  • Chesapeake Bay (East Shore)
North Shore (Upriver to downriver)
  • Dividing Creek
  • Mill Creek
  • Cool Spring Creek
  • Forked Creek
  • Scheider's Cove
  • Deep Creek
  • Little Magothy
  • Podickery Creek
South Shore (Upriver to downriver)
  • Ringgold Cove
  • Asquith Creek (Aisquith Creek)
  • Ray's Pond
  • Chase Creek
  • Cool Spring Cove
Whitehall Bay (west to east)
  • Mill Creek & Burley & Little Burley Creeks
  • Providence Creek
  • Minnow Creek
  • Martin's Cove
  • Whitehall Creek & Ridout Creek
  • Meredith Creek & Jacks Cove
  • Moss Pond (entrance eroded, looks like two coves)
  • Westinghouse Bay (S of US 50 near Bay Bridge)
  • Shorts Creek & Mezick Pond (N of US 50, creek leads to pond with marina)

References

  1. ^ "History of Anne Arundel County". Anne Arundel County. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties". Mdihp.net. Retrieved 2012-09-15.

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