5 Things You Didn’t Know About Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Annapolis is the capital of Maryland, and it’s one of the most important cities in American history. St. Mary’s City was the original capital of the state, but Annapolis replaced it in 1694.

Though its historical significance often overshadows its modern-day importance, Annapolis is still one of the most notable political cities in Maryland, and the city’s Naval Academy makes it even more relevant in 2025.

The brick buildings and charming streets that make up Annapolis all have stories to tell of their own, so we’re here to tell you about five fascinating facts regarding the “Sailing Capital of the World,” one of Annapolis’s many nicknames.

Some Believe The Annapolis State House To Be Haunted

Many Marylanders believe that the Annapolis State House may be haunted because of a story from centuries past. The story goes that in 1793, a plasterer by the name of Thomas Dance fell from the top of the building, and he sadly died as a result.

That’s not where Dance’s story ends, though—at least not in the modern world. Some believe that Thomas Dance now haunts the Maryland State House because a lot of people have apparently seen objects fall over randomly, heard voices that shouldn’t be there and allegedly even seen Dance standing around the building’s dome.

Thomas Dance’s family never received payment for his work upon his unfortunate death, adding further sorrow to the tale. Whether Dance now haunts the Maryland State House as a ghost is a matter of opinion, but the story has been passed down through generations for decades, and ghost tours in Annapolis sometimes recite the spooky tale.

Annapolis offers a collection of interesting ghost tales, and Thomas Dance’s tragic incident is one of the most famous stories.

Annapolis Experiences A Bay Breeze Effect

One interesting thing about Annapolis revolves around its temperatures and weather patterns, as it has a humid subtropical climate, though the weather near the harbor slightly differs from the surrounding inland areas. The weather differences are due to its placement so close to the Chesapeake Bay.

The Annapolis waterfront often experiences something known as the Bay Breeze Effect, which happens due to the land being hot while a cool breeze blows in from the bay toward Annapolis. The breeze is incredibly refreshing, and it’s a common phenomenon in the historic Maryland city during the summer.

Annapolis has very hot summers with humidity, but overall mild temperatures in the winter compared to other nearby regions in the state of Maryland. Additionally, the city of Annapolis has one of the highest tidal flooding risks in Maryland due to the nearby water, so it’s a unique environment to live in.

On the flip side, Annapolis has some of the most beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Plus, breezes coming in from the Chesapeake can help cool the waterfront on hot days.

Annapolis Decorates With Giant Pumpkins For Halloween

Annapolis has an October tradition where giant pumpkins are placed at noteworthy landmarks around the city, such as St. John’s College or the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. The pumpkins are often well over 1,000 pounds, and artists even carve them into huge jack-o’-lanterns before Halloween.

The spectacle is quite a treat if you love the Halloween season, and the Downtown Annapolis Partnership always goes all out. The massive pumpkins are chosen from regional competitions that place pumpkins against each other to determine which one weighs more.

The giant pumpkins that line the city of Annapolis each October are one of its most memorable traditions, as many Marylanders have never come across an orange gourd quite like these ones.

The Famous Treaty Of Paris Was Ratified In Annapolis

The famous Treaty of Paris was ratified on Jan. 14, 1784, officially ending the Revolutionary War, and it came to fruition in Annapolis’s Maryland State House. The ratification of the Treaty of Paris is one of the biggest historical events to take place in Maryland, further securing the Old Line State as an essential part of American history.

Even more interesting, Annapolis was briefly the capital of the United States between Nov. 26, 1783, and Aug. 19, 1784. George Washington made his memorable resignation as commander in chief on Dec. 23, 1783, and that took place in Annapolis, too.

Plus, the Maryland State House is currently the oldest state capital in active use for legislation in 2025, as its construction began in 1772.

Local Residents Burn Their Socks To Celebrate Spring

One of Annapolis’s most interesting modern traditions sees residents burn their socks as winter ends and spring begins to blossom. Events are often hosted by local organizations to gather residents for the sock burning, and it’s become quite the special tradition in the last few decades.

Annapolis Yacht Yard Manager Bob Turner started this unique ritual by burning his old pair of winter socks in the 1970s because he was tired of the cold and wanted a way to commemorate the onset of spring.

Every town has its own traditions and festivals, and despite its historic roots, Annapolis residents have always managed to find fun new ways to shake up its culture.

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