Selby Community Association

Our Selby on the Bay Community

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Where We are Located

Selby on the Bay is a small residential beach-community located on the Mayo Peninsula, facing the waters of Selby Bay. We are located just a few miles southwest of our state capital in Annapolis, Maryland, the "Sailing Capital of the World". Just 30 miles east of Washington, D.C, our Nation's Capital, our area is near the perimeter of a growing metropolis.

Our area though developed, remains quite rural yet we are minutes away from Washington, D.C. an international city, which is certainly one of the most influential cities in the world. At about the same distance to our north is the City of Baltimore, Maryland, a renowned US maritime harbor for over two centuries. To our northeast, across Selby Bay, less than 20 minutes away is historic downtown Annapolis, Maryland waiting for tourists, sailors and other welcome visitors.
While our closeby Washington-Baltimore-Annapolis tri-city metropolis is growing constantly, Selby on the Bay remains unpretentious and friendly.

Our Chesapeake Bay

Selby on the Bay has developed over the last few centuries thriving from the bounty of the fertile land and the Chesapeake and Selby Bay's. Our waterfronts on Selby Bay are only a portion of the developed waterfront areas on the beautiful Mayo Peninsula.
Selby Bay, though small in comparison to the headwaters of her mother, the Chesapeake Bay, protects our waterfront from the Chesapeake's strong storm surges and is cornered by the South River and Ramsey Lake.
Our Chesapeake Bay watershed provides waterfront vistas that are among the best that the US east coast has to offer. Her beauty and bounty draw more and more water enthusiasts to move here each year.

Chesapeake Bay Ecology

With the industrialization of the Chesapeake Bay area over the past century the Bay's clarity and quality had diminished up until the beginning of the environmental movements around 1970. Federal laws were passed to fine industries that were caught dumping chemicals, waste and other pollutants into our bay. Detergent manufacturers were forced to remove the phosphates in their products. As all of these laws came about in the 1970's, when public awareness groups and more environmental watchdogs came about.
We should all be thankful for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which began as a small group of individuals many years ago and today it is a force to be reckoned with. They have fought for the protection of our Bay as no one other single organization.
We have all become more conscious about our environment and our estruaries and it shows in the improvement of life in our waters.

Aquatic and Marsh Grasses
Helpful cleansing marsh grasses are now reappearing, where they were once removed by marine developers and builders because of their nuisance. These "nuisance" aquatic grasses that filled the waterfronts and clogged boat propellers, were removed by developers "of old" until it was realized just in the past few decades to be an important silting and filtration device that the bay water needs to help fend off the human impact on the Bay and pollutants. The grasses also provide important shelter for young aquatic life to survive from larger predators.

Pfisteria
The Chesapeake Bay's "health" problems stem not just from commercialized development but from residential water-front development, over-harvest of its natural bounty, watercraft pollution and an over saturation of nitrogen from fertilizers.
It is hard to say which is worst or who is to blame, but the Chesapeake is apparently still suffering and Pfisteria is a direct symptom.
From waste transfer to fertilizer run-off, nitrogen is entering our Bay in such intense levels that the waters are unable to digest it as it has in the past. Over saturation of nitrogen is claimed to be the reason that the Bay estuaries are maintaining certain organisms that in the past it was able to overcome. Reacting with new legislation passed in 1998 by the Maryland General Assembly, our state government is not taking this matter lightly, and well it should not with Maryland's billion-dollar seafood industry at stake. We all must play a part in supporting the efforts to help reduce our impact on the Bay, as more and more of us enjoy "her" waters each year.

Chesapeake Bay Wildlife

Our community is one of many along the Chesapeake Bay famous for our water amenities - from boating to fishing, from swimming to crabbing. Our area is famous for some of the best seafood in the country. Blue crabs hauled from the waters of our Chesapeake Bay and its estuaries are known around the world. There was such an abundance of shellfish in the Chesapeake that the Algonquin Indians named it "Chesepiooc" or "Great Shellfish Bay". The rivers and brackish lakes surrounding the Peninsula are filled with an abundance of life. Bluefish, Rockfish (Striped Bass), Perch, Flounder, Blue Crabs, Oysters, Soft Clams are just a few of the delicacies harvested from the Bay for all to delight. The wildlife sighted on a tour through the rivers and Bay waters would include; blue heron, osprey, bald eagles, razorback & sea turtles, rabbits, snakes, beaver, fox, deer, many rare birds and frogs and even an occasional sea otter. We have had several dolphins, manatees and whales in the Chesapeake as well.

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The Mayo Peninsula

The Mayo Peninsula is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland nestled between the Rhodes and South Rivers reaching to the Chesapeake Bay. We are approximately 26 miles from Our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. and approximately 10 miles southwest (by land) from our state capital, Annapolis, Maryland. Though the Mayo Peninsula has developed significantly lately, it is still a quiet, slow-paced place not far from the hustle and bustle of some very active cities.

Life on the Mayo Peninsula

Located on the east coast of the United States, about 230 miles south of New York City, New York and 300 miles north of Raleigh, North Carolina, this part of the country is considered one of the best in which to reside.
The Atlantic Ocean is less than a two hour drive, while the majestic Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains are even closer, this is a great place to enjoy family life.

Watersports, boating and fishing are the mainstay of entertainment for the residents of Mayo. A peninsula that was once tobacco farms and fruit orchards is now a developed residential area with great amenities. From waterfront homes to beach cottages, our population has risen rapidly in the past few years. Our communities are filled with many colorful individuals from sailboat enthusiasts to watermen, a very diverse group indeed.

We have many influential people in our area from artists to boat enthusiasts, the scenic waterfronts surely must draw them here.

Climate & Environment

Climate
We have warm summers (averaging around 90 degrees in July) and cool winters (averaging 38 degrees in January). Spring and Fall seasons are normally moderate with 60-70 degree weather
Winters on the peninsula are quiet, as the bustle of the boating season ends. At night you can hear the sailboat rigs slapping on the masts with the motion of the waves. Occassionally one of the Nor'easter storms blows through during the winter months and the inches of rain turn into feet of snow.
On average our winters are mild with a normal total of 2-3 snow storms dropping about 3-6 inches at most per storm.

Rain & Snow Fall
Our spring and fall seasons have a normal rainfall of 3-4 inches total in each month. An occasional Nor'easter (Strong, windy, wet) storm may come by and give us our month's total in a day. We are prone to a few thunderstorms each season, which have been known to occasionally toss some large hail our way.
Every once in a while we are privileged to witness fantastic electrical displays during our thunderstorms, which are dangerous, very erratic and must be observed with great caution.
Our summers are normally dry, especially in the month of August, when the humidity from all of our nearby water can make it a little unbearable outdoors.

Foliage
The environment of Selby on the Bay is similar to that of most of the mid-Atlantic east coast of the US. Tobacco loves the growing season in Maryland, as do many fruits and vegetables. We have a vast variety of trees including, Poplar, many types of Oak, Elm, Cedar, Walnut, and Locust to name a few. In this area there are probably 100 different types of grasses, many being of the marsh variety.

Air Quality
The quality of our air is normally very healthy and safe. Every now and then, in the hottest, humid part of the summer (August), our air quality will peak to higher smog levels in Baltimore or DC, but with the bay winds blowing consistently across the peninsula, we rarely have bad air quality.
With the foliage and greenery that we have in our area and the effects of all four seasons, normally the only problem people have here, with our air quality is the seasonal pollens, molds and mildews.

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Communities on the Mayo Peninsula

There are over 5,500 people living in this area in a number of communities that make up the Mayo Peninsula:

Many of these waterfront communities were originally developed solely to enjoy and take advantage of the many amenities of beach community life for the part-time summer residents. The Mayo Peninsula has developed in the past 60 years to become a full time residential area with many businesses, churches, and one of the finest public schools in the State of Maryland.

Communities within Selby on the Bay

Through the long history of Selby on the Bay, we have learned that our region has been given many names and titles. In the early 1900's several families owned large contiguous parcels of Selby on the Bay and it appears to have been just a marking of those property divisions. By "word of mouth" and in historical documentation found relating to our area of this century, the following four communities are described as making-up Selby on the Bay, though Selby on the Bay has always been the "Mother" community in the dealings outside of our area, for the neighborhood:

1. Cedar Grove- proposed to have been named by Captain Fred Stone Crismond. The area was basically a cedar tree grove near the beachfront, apparently one of the Peninsula's premier picnic areas. There is no formal listing of what the area consisted of, but it is supposed to be the bungalows on Cedar Grove Road and the Holiday Point Marina property. A few old cedars at the beach remain in memory of old Cedar Grove.

2.North Selby - is the property surrounded by Edgemont Road east to Selby Bay, from Hillside northwest to the edge of Loch Haven. A road eventually will connect our communities between Selby on the Bay and Loch Haven. This will give us a long needed alternate route to the growing lower-peninsula, in case of an emergency on Mayo Road below Loch Haven Road.

3. Selby on the Bay - Proper- the original AA Circuit Court Injunctioned Area of 1938, it was the beginning of our neighborhoods major development, starting around 1930. Sometimes referred to as Selby or Selby Proper in some of the old documents, I believe they were just tired of writing it out.
Otis Williams and Alvin Branham were the original developers selling property as the Selby on the Bay Properties Company in 1930. Selling building lots for $500 each and offering 15% discounts to buyers paying off early.
The community of "Selby Proper" is bordered on the west by Mayo Road, Hillside Avenue on the North, Winding Road from the South to Selby Bay on the east. Cedar Grove was believed to be a small rental cottage spin-off of this original community.

4. Selby Heights- runs from the west at 5th Avenue to the east by Edgemont Road, south by Hillside Avenue to the property that backs up to the American Legion Hall on Mayo Road.
Selby Heights was likely the estate of the Birch Manor House, where the Peach Orchard was supposed to be.

(Block S is part of Selby on the Bay that is in the 1938 Injunctioned area.)

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Other Nearby Sites

Maryland Electronic Capitol
At the Beach
Cooperative Satelite Learning Project
Maryland Information
More Maryland Information
Even More Maryland Information
Website Maryland
Southern Maryland Education Link
Southern Maryland On-line
Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association
Chesapeake Bay Trust

Solomons Island
Severna Park
Silver Spring
St. Mary's City
St. Michaels

Nearby Public and Private Schools

MEC - Education
Maryland State Teachers AssociationI
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Maryland MESA

Annapolis Area Christian School (Private Christian School grades K-12th) Annapolis, Maryland
(410) 266-8251

Annapolis Senior High School (Public High School grades 9-12th) Annapolis, Maryland.
(410) 266-5240

Anne Arundel County Community College (Public 2 year College) Arnold, Maryland.
(410) 647-3697

Anne Arundel County Public School System
(410) 222-5000

Center of Applied Technology South (Public Vocational/ Technological School grades 9-12th) Edgewater, Maryland.
(410) 956-5900

Central Elementary School (Public Elementary School grades 1- 5th) Edgewater, Maryland.
(410) 956-5100

Central Middle School (Public Middle School grades 6-8th) Edgewater, Maryland.
(410) 956-5800

Key School (Private Parochial School grades K-12th) Annapolis, Maryland.
(410) 263-9231

Mayo Elementary School (Public Elementary School) Mayo, Maryland.
Mayo was awarded as a Blue Ribbon School by Governor Glendenning in 1996.
(410) 222-1666

Maryland Institute College of Art (Art College) Annapolis, Maryland

St. John's College (Private 4 year College) Annapolis, Maryland.
(410) 263-2371

St. Mary's (Private Catholic School grades K-12th) Annapolis, Maryland
(410) 263-3294

Severn School (Private Parochial School grades 6-12th) Severna Park, Maryland.
(410) 647-7700

Southern Senior High School (Public High School grades 9-12th) Harwood, Maryland.
(410) 867-7100

South River Evening High School (Public High School grades 9-12th) Edgewater, Maryland.
(410) 956-0462

South River Senior High School (Public High School grades 9-12th) Edgewater, Maryland.
(410) 956-5600

The Summit School (Private Special School) Edgewater, Maryland.
A recent addition to our community across from Camp Lett's
(410) 798-0005

The United States Naval Academy
(Public Naval Military 4 year College) Annapolis, Maryland.
(410) 293-1000

The University of Maryland (Public 4 year university medical college) Campuses throughout Maryland.
(410) 974-3973

University of Maryland University College, Annapolis, Maryland
(410) 266-3774

Local & State Government

Predominantly Democratic in nature, our local districts have always been most concerned with the demands of the common people, our communitys and environmental protection.
The Anne Arundel County Council meets at the Arundel Center on the first and third Mondays each month at 7:00 PM.

Anne Arundel County Government
County Information (410) 222-7000
County Schools (410) 222-5000
Community Development (410) 222-7600
Health Department (410) 222-7095
Planning and Code Enforcement (410) 222-7480
Property Tax Assessments Appeals (410) 974-2374
Recreation & Parks (410) 222-7300
Social Services (410) 269-4500
Zoning Department (410) 2227446

Anne Arundel County Government Link

State Government
Attorney General (410) 576-6300
Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (410) 269-1680
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (410)
Natural Resources (410) 260-8540
Public Works (410) 974-3443
State Archives (410) 974-3914

Local Public Services

Anne Arundel County Libraries
Annapolis - (410) 222-1750
Crofton- (410) 222-7915
Edgewater - (410) 222-1538

Anne Arundel County Parks
Londontowne Publick House (410) 222-1919
Mayo Beach Park (410) 222-1978
Quiet Waters (410) 222-1777
Thomas Point Park (410) 222-1969

Clubs & Associations

American Legion - Cummings/Behlke Post 226
Kiwanis Club-
Mayo Civic Association-
Mayo Athletic Association -
Selby Athletic Association -
Selby Community Association -

Local Churches

Church of Woodland Beach,
First Baptist Church of Edgewater,
Mayo United Methodist Church, Rev. Thomas Young
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church
St. Andrew the Fisherman Episcopal Church

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Local Culture & Entertainment

While the majority of the area enjoys water-related entertainment, mostly in the Spring and Summer months there are some other great places and things to do in our area:
Besides many movie theatres, shopping malls, plazas, and numerous restaurants, our area hosts a wealth of activities for families and individuals alike.

Submissions:
Ideas of attractions or entertainment that could be posted here in the Culture and Entertaiment section,
please submit them to : "The Postman"

Art-
Baltimore Museum of Art - Paintings & Sculpting, 30 minutes to Baltimore.
Edgar Allen Poe Museum - Home of Poet, 30 minutes to Baltimore, Maryland.
National Art Gallery - Fine Art, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Phillips Gallery -
Smithsonian Institute - Many Museums, 40 minutes to downtown DC.

History-
Annapolis - Colonial History, 10 minutes to Annapolis, Maryland
Arlington National Cemetery - Monuments, 50 minutes to Arlington, Virginia.
B & O Railroad Museum - Railroad History, 30 minutes to Baltimore, Maryland.
Bureau of Engraving - US paper money, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Hall of Records - Historic Records of Md, 10 minutes to Annapolis, Maryland
Iwo Jima Memorial - Monument, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Library of Congress - Historic Record of all printed documents, Washington, DC.
National Archives - Historic Records, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Smithsonian Institute - Museums, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Tomb of the Unknowns - Monument, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
US Naval Academy - Maritime History, 10 minutes to Annapolis, Maryland.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Monument, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Williamsburg - Colonial History, 3 hours to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia.
WW II Veterans Memorial - Monument, 10 minutes to Annapolis, Maryland.

Local Arenas-
Baltimore Civic Center, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore Raven's Stadium, Camden Yards, Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, MCI Arena, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Naval Academy Auditorium, Nissan Pavilion, Patriot Center, RFK Stadium, US Air Arena.

Memorials & Monuments-
Jefferson Memorial - Monument, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Lincoln Memorial - Monument, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
The State House- Maryland's Capital, 10 minutes to Annapolis, Maryland.
The White House - Tours, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
The United States Capitol - US Congressional Hall, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Washington Monument - Monument, 40 minutes to downtown DC.

Parks & Zoos-
Assateague Island Refuge - Wild Ponies, 2 hours to Assateague Island, Va.
The Baltimore Aquarium - Sea Life, 30 minutes to downtown Baltimore.
The Baltimore Zoo - Animals, 30 minutes to downtown Baltimore.
The National Zoo - Animals, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
The Salisbury Zoo - Animals, 75 minutes to Salisbury Maryland.

Social Centers-
Downtown Annapolis - Pubs, Shops and Nightlife, 10 minutes to Annapolis, Md.
Georgetown - Pubs, Shops and Nightlife, 40 minutes to downtown DC.
Inner Harbor - Nightlife & Cultural entertainment, 30 minutes to Baltimore.

Sports-
Annapolis Roads - 9 hole Golf course, 10 minutes to Annapolis, Maryland
Capital Drag Raceway - Automotive, Drag Racing.30 minutes to Crofton, Maryland
Laurel Racetrack - Horse Racing, 40 minutes to Timonium, Maryland.
Rosecroft Raceway - Horse Racing, 40 minutes to Capital Heights, Maryland
South River Links - 18 hole Golf course, 5 minutes to Edgewater, Maryland
The Baltimore Orioles - MLB, 30 minutes to Camden Yards in Baltimore.
The Baltimore Ravens - NFL, 30 minutes to Camden Yards in Baltimore.
The Washington Capitals - NHL, 40 minutes to the MCI Arena in DC.
The Washington Redskins -NFL, 20 minutes to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Raljon.
The Washington Wizards - NBA, 40 minutes to the MCI Arena in DC.

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Directions to Selby on the Bay

From Annapolis, Maryland
From downtown Annapolis take West Street (west) toward Parole Plaza, turn left onto Route 2 (Solomon's Island Road) South and follow for 5 miles crossing the South River Bridge. Turn left onto Route 214 (Central Avenue Extended). Continue past Route 484 (Muddy Creek Road) for 3 miles and turn left onto Selby Boulevard - the main drive in Selby on the Bay.

From Baltimore, Maryland
From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) take I-97 south towards Annapolis approximately 15 miles, I-97 ends merging into Route 50 east. As you enter onto Route 50, immediately merge to the right lane and exit onto Route 665, Aris T. Allen Blvd toward Edgewater. From Aris T. Allen Blvd take Route 2 (Solomon's Island Road) South for about 2 miles, crossing the South River Bridge. Turn left onto Route 214 (Central Avenue Extended). Continue past Route 484 (Muddy Creek Road) for 3 miles and turn left onto Selby Boulevard - the main drive in Selby on the Bay.

From Washington, D.C.
Take Route 50 east toward Annapolis approximately 25 miles, take exit X at Route 665, Aris T. Allen Blvd toward Edgewater. From Aris T. Allen Blvd take Route 2 (Solomon's Island Road) south for about 2 miles, crossing the South River Bridge. Turn left onto Route 214 (Central Avenue Extended). Continue past Route 484 (Muddy Creek Road) for 3 miles and turn left onto Selby Boulevard - the main drive in Selby on the Bay.

From Southern Maryland
From Calvert County take Route 2/4 (North), following signs for Route 2 (Solomon's Island Road) North - it is a little winding country road. When you reach Edgewater, approximately 25 miles, turn a right on Route 214 (Central Avenue Extended). Continue past Route 484 (Muddy Creek Road) for 3 miles and turn left onto Selby Boulevard - the main drive in Selby on the Bay.

Submissions

Much of the information included in this document has been gathered rather quickly. We have proof read all of it once but if you see errors please let us know. Any input on this historical info is greatly appreciated. If anyone has old documents or photos - we are also interested in posting those. The digital scanning is simple and will not damage documents or photos.

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These pages made possible with help from Scott Gillis

Last updated 8/17/01.