Cedarhurst
On The Bay
Shady Side, Maryland
by
Gary Beckett
HISTORY
FORMER
CEDARHURST CITIZEN'S ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS:
Scott Mattson 2003-2005, Scootie
Edmunds 2001-2003, Patti Blackwell 2000-2001, Scootie Edmonds 1992-99, Joe
Abe,
Ray Telewicz, Jim Foster, Bill Parker, Lee Ditmars 1975-1981...
(If anyone has more information to share than what is posted here, please email
the webmaster).
2005: FOUNDERS PLAQUE
In 2005, a "Founders Plaque" was placed by the Community Association in the "Founders Garden" which had been designated in 2003. The plaque honors the Bauman family and all community volunteers. The plaque is located in the parking lot near the foot of the community pier.
2003: HURRICANE ISABEL
Cedarhurst along with the rest of Anne Arundel Counties waterfront communities including Annapolis are struck by Hurricane Isabel on 18-19 September of 2003, a six foot storm surge coinciding with high tide, fill the surrounding low lying marshes and flood the waterfront neighborhoods with several feet of water. AA County starts a voluntary evacuation about 11:30pm on 18 Sept, by the next morning older homes in the neighborhood are water damaged. The "Brickhouse" here in Cedarhurst being on the highest ground in the community stays dry, owner Pete Litchfield kindly sets up a a free outdoor shower for community residence who are without power and water for several days. The Community Waterfront is damaged specifically the Rip Rap, Pier and Community House. Our community is and was very resilient as shown by our exceptional restoration efforts.
1921: THE FOUNDING OF CEDARHURST
In 1921, The community we know
today, as "CEDARHURST ON THE BAY" was established,
when Mr. William Nowell saw this as a desirable location for a waterfront
colony. He gained the
support of some Washington men including Mr. Bauman which resulted in the
organization of the Cedarhurst Realty Company. The property was purchased
Subdivided and recorded at the Annapolis Court House in 1921. The lots went on
sale in 1922, with the first garage being built that year by Mr. Robert
Humphreys. The first cottage was erected by Mr. Mohler in 1923. The birth of the
Cedarhurst Citizens Association occurred between two meetings the first on Sept
21, 1925 and the second on July 4, 1926 where the Cedarhurst Citizens
Association was named. Did you know that legendary homerun hitter
"Babe" Ruth and native of Baltimore, frequently vacationed here at
Cedarhurst On The Bay!
Cedarhurst started out as a
waterfront summer vacation destination and while still a summer community for
some, over the years has also become a peaceful year round community of
approximately 300 homes. The sole commercial business in the neighborhood
is the Historic "Brick House" which is now a Pleasant Restaurant
within walking distance from all the homes in Cedarhurst. It's name is the
"Brick House Restaurant", Formerly "The Bay View Inn".
1850-1878:
In the next century we find, G.M. Hopkin's 1878 Map of ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY showing the land of our community as a FARM owned by a Mr. WILLIAM WHITE. The map also shows the entire penninsula labeled as "THE SWAMP". The nearest post office appears to be "SUDLEY". Mr. White was originally from Kent Island just across the bay within site of our community. It is said that he built the "BRICK MANOR HOUSE" before the Civil War. At that time the "Brick House" was the first and only brick structure on the penninsula.
1662-1797: COLONIZATION
Shady Side Penninsula's first english colonial settlement was established in the 1662 by Edward & Magdalen Parrish. Both Mr. & Mrs. Parrish were former indentured servants having performed their years of servitude on Kent Island.
What is now "CEDARHURST ON THE BAY" was a part of a large tract of land some 947 acres in size, granted by the government to Mr. THOMAS NORRIS. This tract of land was known as "RURAL FELICITY". Felicity means; Great Happiness or Bliss. Through the years the land was divided into smaller parcels with farming being the chief use .
1600-1704: LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
Circa 1600, Prior to the
European colonization of what is now the Shady Side penninsula,
this area was traveled by the ALGONQUIN Speaking Native American Indians of
the "PISCATAWAY / PATUXENT" tribes. There is no evidence of any
Indian villages having been established on the Penninsula. The Piscataways
were also known by there later Iroquian Name "CONOY". This land where
"CEDARHURST ON THE BAY" is located was in the Patuxent / Piscataway
tribal lands which extended from the Chesapeake Bay to the Potomac River, from
the Patapsco River to Point Look Out. The purpose of their visits must
have been for hunting and fishing, large amounts of oyster shells have been
discovered in various locations. The nearest village that I know of on the
Western Shore was named "QUACTATAUGH" about 14 miles away near the
Patuxent River near the present day area of Dunkirk, in Calvert County.
The Penninsula now known as Shady Side must have also been traveled by other
tribes such as the Northern SUSQUEHANNOCK's (IROQUIOS), and Eastern Shore
NANTICOKE's (DELAWARE) during Shell fish harvests and raids on the Peaceful
Piscataway & Patuxents. The Piscataways have been described as tall,
muscular, lean people with copper colored skin.
The Piscataway and
subtribe peoples have been estimated to number abt. 2,500 total for the entire
tribal lands (that is less than the population of all the people that live in
Shady Side today). They made dugout canoes to travel along the bay and
tributaries, and lived in communal wigwam type homes in fortified villages.
Fishing & Farming were their way of life. They held corn and fire to be of
great importance and must have harvested many meals from the Chesapeake Bay.
For the most part they were friendly to the Colonist's. Approximately One
hundred years after the English sailed up the Chesapeake, the Piscataways had
started their migration out of Maryland. The migration was caused by several
factors including expanding colonial settlement, disease and neighboring waring
tribes.
For more information on local
hertiage; Visit the Salem Avery House & Musuem
Open Sundays 1-4pm and Mondays 9-12noon March through December or by
appointment.
www.averyhouse.org
1418 East West Shady Side Road
P.O. Box 89, Shady Side, Maryland 20764
410-867-4486