| Annapolis Junction, Maryland | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Howard |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| FIPS code | |
Annapolis Junction is an unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States.
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The ZIP Code for Annapolis Junction is 20701.
(based on) 2000 Census for 20701
Tracks of the former Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad joined those of the former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at this location starting in 1840, hence the name "Annapolis Junction."
On May 1, 1844, in a small wooden building along the railroad tracks, the first practical news telegram was sent from Annapolis Junction. The message, from Alfred Vail to Samuel F. B. Morse, announced that the Whig Party candidate would be Henry Clay, and his running mate would be Theodore Frelinghuysen. The candidates left Annapolis Junction by train, and arrived in Washington to find the news was already being announced in the city by the local papers.[3]
Annapolis Junction is the site of William Bowie's home Grassland, built in 1853.
Located along the B&O Railroad, the main East Coast thoroughfare for North-South railroad traffic, Annapolis Junction was witness to the comings and goings of the Civil War.
General Butler recounts .. In route to Washington D.C. we could not sail into the Potomac, and the rail line from Annapolis to Annapolis Junction was the only route in. Troops were unwelcome in Annapolis, finding reluctance to provide provisions, and locomotives disabled to prevent their travel. [4]
The 7th New York Militia, and the Fifth German Regiment under Col Schwartzwaelder [5], arrived in May 1861. The soldiers slept on wet ground, were lacking equipment and even boots. Their meals consisted of hard biscuits, tough meat, and "salt beyond description." Monthly pay was $11, but the paymaster did not have any money to give out. Col. Zadock Pratt delivered 6 firkins of his own butter, and his wife gave $250 of her own money to the troops.[6]
In August, 1861, $4975 in goods were seized at Annapolis Junction from southern sympathizers in Baltimore. [7]
Brig.-Gen. John C. Robinson commanded troops guarding the B&O railroad in 1862. The First Michigan Regiment was assigned to the sections south of Annapolis Junction, and the Tenth Maine Regiment was posted for points north.[8]
In 1863, Annapolis Junction formed the northern boundary of coverage for the XXII Corps (Union Army) Department of Washington, and became the rendezvous point for drafted men from Maryland. In July, 1863, a large force of Fitzburg Lee's Cavalry was thought to have struck the rail lines.[9]
The tracks were guarded from June to July 1864 by the 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade. The guard of 100 troops reportedly fled when a small band of rebels were within 12 miles (19 km) of the vicinity.[10] In a letter to the editor, on July 24, 1864, the writer complains that the 65 troops did not run off, but instead were following orders of Mag Gen. Ord to leave the area before the arrival of the entire rebel army.[11]
In the age of rail, Presidential sightings were common in town. In June 1867, President Andrew Johnson met with Maryland Governor Andrew Swan at Annapolis Junction were he received the resolutions of the Maryland Constitutional Convention.[12]
In 1867, the First Regiment of the Lincoln Zouaves Corps de Afrique held a political rally at Annapolis Junction with 400 musketmen listening to radical speeches from J.J Stewart, Judge Bond, and others. [13]
On June 12, 1869, a northbound train struck a wandering cow at Annapolis Junction, derailing and injuring 30 passengers. The train was a night express carrying President Ulysses S. Grant, his wife, and the Secretary of Treasury George S. Boutwell, who all escaped uninjured.[14]
In May, 1899, The National Junior Republic was founded as an institution for troubled 15- 20-year-olds. By 1914, the facility housed 44 inmates.[15][16] By 1924, the site was abandoned and overgrown.[17]
In June, 1917, Secretary of War Newton D. Baker announced that 17,000 acres (69 km2) would be bought at Annapolis Junction to accommodate a National Army Cantonment to train 40,000 to 60,000 men for at least one year. [18] The encampment would eventually become Fort George G. Meade.
After the establishment of Fort Meade, Annapolis Junction was sometime referred to as Fort Meade Junction. [19]
No longer an actual railroad junction, Annapolis Junction has developed into a town with four major features. The historic and still busy CSX (former B&O) railroad line runs north to south, Maryland Route 32 runs east to west, various office warehouses lie to the west, and facilities relating to Fort Meade lie to the east. Although a historic location, Annapolis Junction is now mostly zoned industrial, and overshadowed by nearby Fort Meade.
The National Cryptologic Museum's GPS address and physical location is usually referred to as "Annapolis Junction", though its mailing address is maintained by NSA.
Few residents call Annapolis Junction "home," more frequently associating themselves with adjacent Savage, Maryland, its southern neighbor Laurel, Maryland, or Fort Meade.
Annapolis Junction also serves as the location of the rail transfer facility that moves Howard County's waste to King's County, Virginia. [20]
The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates its Mid-Atlantic Regional Office in Annapolis Junction.[21]
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