🍩Who Designed Your Neighborhood?

Annapolis’ 2025 Elections, Pet Adoption Days, Pusser’s Landing...

Good morning, Annapolis. We’re really scratching our historical itch today. Got some great vintage photos below. Enjoy.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

  • Annapolis’ 2025 Elections

  • Pet Adoption Days

  • Pusser’s Landing

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

THE DIGEST

The work of the Olmsted Brothers in Annapolis đŸ˜ïž

Ever heard of the Olmsted Brothers? No, they aren’t architects on HGTV. They’re the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture in the US. His resume includes Central Park, the Biltmore Estate grounds, and the US Capitol landscaping. He’s a big deal. And his sons inherited our nation’s first landscape architecture firm.

And it turns out, that firm did some work in and around Annapolis – most notable Annapolis Roads and Gibson Island.

For the longest time, what’s now Annapolis Roads was farmland. In the early 20th century, the new owner, Rella Abell Armstrong, hired the Olmsted Brothers to turn the subdivided land into a resort with a golf course and beachfront clubhouse.

Source: Annapolis Roads: An Olmsted Designed Community by James Gibb

Source: Annapolis Roads: An Olmsted Designed Community by James Gibb

The resort’s design reflected principles the Olmsteds were known for: naturalistic design, curving roads, open space, and integration with the waterfront terrain. The whole idea was to attract affluent DC and Baltimore residents to trade city life for waterfront leisure in the summer.

Survey drawings of Annapolis Roads. There was supposed to be a grand hotel named Belmont but it was never built. Source: Olmsted Archives, NHS, NPS

Just a bit further down the Bay, the Olmsted Brothers designed Gibson Island around the same time. Like Annapolis Roads, it was a private summer club with a golf course, sailing, and swimming. And also like Annapolis Roads, there’s an Olmstedian look and feel to the design with natural topography and well-spaced residences.

1922 General Plan for Gibson Island. Source: Olmsted Archives, NHS, NPS

It’s been 100 years since then and on Gibson Island, not too much has changed. Although the original plans called for about 400 homes and two 18-hole golf courses. Present-day Gibson Island has under 200 homes and a 9-hole golf course.

Annapolis Roads however, is quite different. The golf course is gone â€“ replaced partially by the Key School’s Fusco Athletic Park. Also gone is the beach clubhouse, lost to fire in 1953. Now, it’s a residential community rather than a resort though small traces of Olmsted hallmarks remain in the tree-lined streets, single entry point, and water access.

Key Dates for Annapolis’ 2025 Elections đŸ—łïž

Hey, voters. The City of Annapolis wants to remind you of some dates.

  • First, Monday is the final date to file a certificate of candidacy for the 2025 elections. I know that’s last-minute, but if you want to run, just pretend you’re back in high school and leaving the entire project until the night before.

  • The primary election is Tuesday, September 16. Polls open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM.

  • The general election is Tuesday, November 4. Again, polls open at 7 and close at 8.

  • Be sure to confirm your voter registration by August 18. Municipal elections don’t allow same-day registration. And head right here to see everyone running and what they stand for.

P.S. For City Council, you can only vote for candidates in your ward. What ward am I?

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Where in The World is Peter Chang?

Now that we have officially confirmed that renowned chef Peter Chang is bringing one of his restaurants to Annapolis, some of you might be wondering
 who is Peter Chang? But prior to 2011, a much more interesting question was where is Peter Chang?

Chang was born in China in 1963. He attended culinary school in Wuhan and went on to work on cruise ships and luxury hotels. Fast forward to 2001, Peter Chang had a new job: personal chef to the Chinese ambassador in DC. It was a two year contract. But just days before he and his family were due back in China, they disappeared without a trace.

For years, Chang cooked in unassuming Chinese restaurants under the false name “Chef Liu.” He cooked in Virginia, Georgia, and even Tennessee. All the while, devoted fans who called themselves “Changians” tracked his talents online, which his daughter followed closely. Once they’d catch on, he’d vanish again.

In 2011, Chang finally got authorization to work in the US. No longer confined to the shadows, he started building an empire of restaurants that now numbers over a dozen restaurants. And it’s soon to include one right here in Annapolis at 918 Bay Ridge Road.

Well, maybe not soon. Turning a retail store into a restaurant isn’t as tough as getting a green card (Chang just got his in May) but it’s not a walk in the park either. Permits are no joke in our town.

We’ll spill the (green) tea as soon as we hear anything more.

Peter Chang and his wife Lisa

Pusser’s Landing opens (reopens?) in Baltimore đŸč

Ah, it’s been a long 8 months since the sweet nectar of a Painkiller has graced our lips. But the great news is that this weekend, you can head up to Baltimore where Pusser’s Landing has officially opened in the Canton neighborhood! Dining is currently reservation-only and the bars are only serving drinks, no food. But if you’re excited to usher in a new era of Pusser’s on the Chesapeake Bay, get to Charm City for that nutmeg-dotted happiness in a cup. 2780 Lighthouse Point E, Baltimore.

🧠 Context: Pusser’s closed on City Dock last October after Atlas Restaurant Group took over the lease. Before they’d even closed the doors, they’d already revealed the new location in Baltimore. And good news: the dock bar actually has a railing this time.

Office building sells for the first time in 40 years

How much do you think Rosso Commercial just sold the 30,000-square-foot medical and professional office building near Double T Diner for?

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If you guessed $3.7 million, congratulations! You win the building. Just kidding. We didn’t buy it. But someone did for the first time since 1984. The original price of 2448 Holly Ave? Just $175,000. Although that was just the land. The building wasn’t built until 1986.

2448 Holly Ave is the brick building smack dab in the center

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview

After a few days of gloriously low humidity and sustainable temperatures, we’re back to havin’ a heatwave. These fun events will get you outside and enjoying yourself before finding the A/C again.

FRIDAY

SOFO Summer Drive-In Movie Nights The Bay Ridge Plaza parking lot turns into a fun, festival-like environment with live music, good food, and the Friday night feature, “Flight of the Intruder.” Music starts at 7 PM, movie begins at dusk.

SATURDAY

Pet Adoption Days in Severna Park Homestead Gardens in Severna Park isn’t just for your monstera addiction: this Saturday they’ll have puppies, too! South County Beagle Rescue brings in the wiggly butts. 10 AM–1 PM.

Inaugural Greenacres Cornhole Tournament Presented by the Greenacres Living Shoreline Initiative, this tournament gives you the opportunity to legitimize your cornhole skills with a trophy. 3 PM at the Greenacres Common Area on Janice Drive.

River Days Festivals Quiet Waters Park hosts this iteration of the summer shindig, with activities, food trucks, crafts, exhibits, and (of course) opportunities to get out on the water. 11 AM to 3 PM.

St. Mary's Parish Music in the Garden Bring a blanket or chair for an evening of live jazz on the grounds of the Carroll Gardens on the St. Mary’s lawn. 6:30–8:30 PM

Maryland Crab Feast Cruise Whomever you are, we can tell you for certain that you haven’t eaten enough crabs this season. Watermark has you covered, thankfully, with crabs as well as barbecue chicken, hush puppies, shrimp, Smith Island cake, and much more. 12–3 PM.

Tick Tock Tech This is the kind of tick tock we can get behind. Tinkerers unite to assemble an authentic 18th-century grandfather clock in this supercool, hands-on experience offered by the Hogshead Trade Museum. 11 AM–3 PM at 43 Pinkney Street, Annapolis.

SUNDAY

Anchors & Artisans Pop-Up Market Check out local vendors and artists at this new, family-friendly event series at Annapolis Town Center. 11 AM–4 PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

NAPTOWN SCOOP WEATHER IS POWERED BY. . .

Thursday

86 đŸŒĄïž 75 | đŸŒ„ïž | 15% | S 11 mph (10 knots)

Friday

94 đŸŒĄïž 78 | đŸŒ€ïž | 17% | 💹 SSW 9 mph (8 knots)

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

49 West | Jonathan Epley Trio | 7:30–11 PM
đŸŒłđŸŽ”AMM | Tides & Tunes | The Grilled Lincolns | 7–9 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Mike Ferro | 4–7 PM
Brian Boru | Ray Wroten | 6–9 PM
Dark Horse | The Crispy Boiz | 9 PM
đŸŒłđŸŽ”Goshen Farm | AcoustiCafe | 6:30–7:40 PM
đŸŒłđŸŽ”Goshen Farm | Joel Brandon | 7:40–8:30 PM
Killarney House | Aaron Hawkins | 6–9 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Justin Ryan | 5–8 PM
Market House | Angie Miller | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | David Wilcox & Cheryl Wheeler | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Troll Tribe | 4:30 PM
Watermark Annapolis Cruise | Luke Borchelt | 7:30 PM | Ticket

Friday

49 West | Justin Lees | 7:30–10:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Mixed Business | 8:30 PM
đŸŒłđŸŽ”Annapolis Town Center | Groove Spot Band and Show | 5–8 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Timmie Metz Band | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | The Loose Cannons | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Tim Atkinson | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dave | 5–8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Southbound | 9 PM
Galway Bay | Hall Williams | 7–10 PM
Great Frogs | Dirk Schwenk | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | Mike Heuer | 7:30–10:30 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Jonathan Viers | 5–8 PM
Market House | Adam Forbes | 8:30–11:30 PM
The Lodge | Madisun Bailey | 8–11 PM
Market Space | Bobby Betlejewski | 6–9 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Scott Hymes Band | 8 PM
Pirates Cove | Pete Best | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Hiroshima | 8:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Scott Voorhees | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | George Evans | 3–5:30 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Kick Back Classics | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Joe Hickey | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Mr VCR | 9:45 PM

đŸŒłđŸŽ” outdoor concerts

THANKS!

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