The Historic Architecture of Annapolis, Maryland - Part 1 - The Doric Order

Classical architecture has always been used in ways that are distinct to Annapolis -- certainly adjusted for the Mid-Atlantic Tidewater climate and resources, but more importantly, always filtered through the lenses of the city's extraordinary architects: Joseph Clark, William Buckland, T. Henry Randall, Henry Powell Hopkins, and James Wood Burch. The golden period of Annapolis Georgian architecture favored the Ionic Order, especially for door surrounds and important woodwork detailing. But the Doric Order (Greek or Renaissance) seems to prevail consistently over time. The Ridout house back porch, McDowell Hall, the giant pilasters on the rear of the Hammond Harwood house, the Franklin Law Office at 17 State Circle, and the Franklin General Store at 206 Main Street (see photo) are Doric in proportion. The proportion of the town is more stout than the slender Ionic, possibly due to the nature of brick bearing wall construction.