Documentary History of American Water-works

Annapolis

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis was incorporated as a city in 1708.

The Annapolis Water Company was incorporated in 1865 and built a system that pumped water into an elevated reservoir and began service on October 28, 1866. The company had a unique ownership structure, with the state initially owning 400 shares, the city 200, and private individuals 402. A charter amendment in 1866 allowed the state to subscribe to an additional 200 shares, and by 1896 1,229 shares were outstanding, with 600 owned by the state, 200 by the city, and 429 by individuals.

The state expressed interest in selling its shares in the early 1890s in order to reduce its debt, but the city resisted, fearing that the state's share combined with those held by individuals could result in outside interests taking control of the system. In 1904 the city was allowed to purchase additional shares. The state auctioned off its shares in several companies in 1911, including the water company, and the city was the successful bidder, giving them majority control of the company.

The City of Annapolis issued bonds to purchase the remaining capital stock stock in 1912. The city continued to own and manage the water company until July 1, 1943, when the company was dissolved and the water system came a city department.

Water is currently provided by the City of Annapolis.

References
1864 An act appropriating a sum of money for the protection of the State House and public property from fire. March 10, 1864.

1865 An act to incorporate the Annapolis Water Company. March 22, 1865.

1866 An act supplementary to an act to incorporate the Annapolis Water Company, passed at January session of eighteen hundred and sixty-five, chapter one hundred and twenty-three. February 8, 1866.

1866 Rules and Regulations, Annapolis Water Company, August 17, 1866. Includes Table of Rates.

1867 The First Report of the President and Directors of the Annapolis Water Company to the Stockholders; and the Report of the Engineer. February 12, 1867. | also here |

1882 "Annapolis," from Engineering News, 9:341 (September 30, 1882)

1888 "Annapolis," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.

1890 "Annapolis," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.

1891 "Annapolis," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.

1897 "Annapolis," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.
Press rept., Oct., '96, stated that of 1,229 shares of stock the state of Md. owned 600, the city of Annapolis, 200, balance held by individuals.

1904 An act to authorize and empower the Mayor, Counsellor and Aldermen of the City of Annapolis to purchase stock of the Annapolis Water Company. April 12, 1904.

1911 "After Its Water Supply," The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), December 29, 1911, Page 7.
City bid $101.50 a share for state's 600 shares.

1911 "Annapolis Controls Water," The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), December 30, 1911, Page 5.
City Buy's State's Stock in Local Supplying Company.

1912 An act to amend the charter of the Annapolis Water Company as said charter was enacted by Chapter 123 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland of 1865 by extending the powers of the said company to hold real and personal estate, providing for the management of said company by a board of directors and making other changes in said charter. April 4, 1912.

1912 An act to authorize and empower the Mayor, Counselor and Aldermen of the City of Annapolis to borrow money and issue bonds for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary for the purpose of acquiring the stock of the Annapolis Water Company; to provide for the repayment of the same with interest and to enable it to vote the said stock when acquired, and operate the said Annapolis Water Company through its stock holdings. April 4, 1912.

1915 The County Commissioners of Anne Arundel County and Joshua S. Linthicum, late treasurer, vs. Mayor, Counselor and Aldermen of the City of Annapolis and Annapolis Water Company, 126 Md. 445, June 23, 1915,
When the City of Annapolis, under the power and according to the provisions of Chapter 86 and Chapter 118 of the Acts of 1912, acquired all the stock of the Annapolis Water Company and assumed control of the corporation, the stock and property of the Water Company became the property of the City, and, under section 4 of Article 81 of the Code, were no longer taxable.

1918 An act to repeal Section 2 of Chapter 86 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland of 1912, entitled "An Act to amend the charter of the Annapolis Water Company as the said charter was enacted by Chapter 123 of the Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland of 1865, by extending the powers of the said Company to hold real and personal property, providing for the management of said company by a board of directors and making other changes in said charter", and to re-enact the same with amendments, and to repeal any laws inconsistent therewith. April 24, 1918.

1943 "Council Vote to Take Over City Water Board," Evening Capital (Annapolis, Maryland), February 9, 1943, Page 1.
The City Council by a 6-3 vote last night decided to ask the Legislature to pass a bill eliminating the Annapolis Water Company as a separate corporation of the the city and placing it under direct control of the council.

1943 "Water Board Directors Hold Final Meeting," Evening Capital (Annapolis, Maryland), June 22, 1943, Page 1.
The City Council will take control of the water company on July 1 under a law passed by the recent legislature.

2011 Annapolis, City on the Severn: A History, by Jane W. McWilliams
Pages 193-194: Annapolis Water Company

Annapolis Water Company historical marker