gb NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT
Eastport
STORY BY : LYNNE GARDNER PHOTOS BY : KTOM PHOTOGRAPY
Bounded by Back Creek on one side and Spa Creek on the other , the Maritime Republic of Eastport is defined by both geography and location . A naturally formed , nearly flat and narrow peninsula that juts into the Severn River , the Republic is surrounded by water and located just a short bridge ’ s length from historic downtown Annapolis .
Land records show ownership of the peninsula , originally named Horne Pointe , began with a grant to Robert Clarkson in 1665 . Fort Horn , built at the tip of the peninsula in 1776 as a defensive post overlooking the Severn River , was occupied in both the War of Independence and the War of 1812 , but abandoned sometime after . The area remained largely agricultural until construction of the Naval Academy began in 1845 and a development company , the Mutual Building Association of Annapolis , was founded in 1861 . The Mutual Building Association platted 101 acres of land , which it sold to families in need of housing close to downtown Annapolis . It wasn ’ t until the mid 20th century that industry and agriculture gave way to residences and neighborhoods . Long before Annapolis became synonymous with sailing and yachting , Eastport was home to fishermen , crabbers , watermen , boat builders , sail makers , marine engineers and the laborers required to create and sustain all manner of traditional maritime enterprises . The peninsula was annexed to Annapolis in 1951 . While the Republic is indelibly connected to sister-city Annapolis , it retains a distinct personality and whimsicality all its own .
The Back Creek side of Eastport is best known for residential condos , quiet street-end docks , row upon row of boats of every sort and a slough of small marine enterprises . The Spa Creek side faces downtown Annapolis and is a bit livelier for the boat brokers and yards , sailing clubs , restaurants and commercial businesses .
The interior of the peninsula contains all manner of homes . Gentrification in the past two decades has brought major renovation and reconstruction to formerly working class and farm-style houses . It isn ’ t unusual to find a lowly bungalow sandwiched between a luxuriously appointed New England style home and a true Arts and Crafts masterpiece .
When I first moved to Annapolis in 1990 , the revitalization of Eastport was in full swing and homes were being snapped up from original owners with fervor . Many of the properties were quite distressed and had to be reconstructed from the bones up . Others were made into affordable rentals for the young adults who helped Eastport
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GREENBOOK | SUMMER 2016