The most historic building in Maryland is the State House at Annapolis, the present one having been preceded by two others. The first was built in 1696, and a curious account of its condition is to be found in Volume 20, of the Maryland Archives. This building had a short but somewhat tragic history.
In the Journal of the House of Delegates for 1699, it is recorded: “Memorandum that on thursday, July 13, about four or five of the clock in the afternoone a violent flash of Lightning broke into the State House at Annapolis, the house of Delegates being there sitting, which Instantly Killed Mr. James Crauford one of the members for Calvert County & hurt & wounded Severall other members and Shattered & broke most part of the Dores and window Cases belonging to the said house & sett the said State house on fier in one of the upper Chambers & Severall other Damages but the fire was presently Quenched by the Diligence & Industry of his Excy. Nathaniel Blakistone his Majtyes. Govr.”
In the Journal of 1702 it is referred to as a “Stadt House.”
In 1704 the State House burned down, but how the fire originated neither the records nor tradition show.
The second State House was finished in 1706, and stood where the present one now stands. It was in the form of an oblong built of brick, and entered by a hall, opposite to the door of which were the judges’ seats, for this building seems to have been used as a courthouse as well as a State House. Over the judges’ seats was a full length portrait of Good Queen Anne.
A cupola or dome surmounted the building, and was surrounded with a balustrade and furnished with seats for those who wished to view the scenery.
On the north of this State House an armory was built, in which the arms of the Province were arranged, and when the room was lighted up by the wooden chandelier, the effect must have been brilliant.
Portraits of Queen Anne and Lord Baltimore hung in this room, which was often used as a ballroom.
On the west stood the famous King William School, established under an act of 1696, and afterwards succeeded by the well-known St. John’s College.
In 1769 £7,000 sterling was appropriated to erect the present State House, the corner stone of which was laid by Governor Robert Eden on March 28, 1772.