About Us.
Glen Isle Estates is a neighborhood of 156 homes in the tiny unincorporated city of Riva (population est. 4,600) which hugs the southern side of the South River. Annapolis is just a short hop away (on the northern side of the South River) and seems like home to most of us around here. The cities of Davidsonville and Edgewater also border us.
Riva is a part of Anne Arundel County, but not Annapolis City. We don’t have a mayor, but we do share the same County Executive, School Board, and other county-wide government agencies.
A Brief History...
Right in the heart of the lovely South River, sits the point and slight harbor of Glen Isle. Safe from the storms on the Chesapeake Bay, but not too far to make a quick run to Annapolis if needed, the shores of Glen Isle hide many historical tales.
“Beautiful Glen Isle on the South River,” that’s the way the early developer (circa 1923) described this waterfront community. He also used other superlatives to entice prospective buyers – such as “…rich in the traditions of the former days; convenient to Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington; noted for its sandy beaches and traditionally the home of Black Beard the Pirate.”
Our original tract of 138 acres was part of a much larger grant given to the second Lord Baltimore. Subsequently, this tract was sold to a Mr. Burgess from Baltimore and then to his son-in-law Mr. Beard.
For many years, the property was known as Beard’s Farm. The northernmost part of the community beach (where the cattails still are located) is officially called Beard’s Point and can be found on most nautical charts of the area.
Our main wharf was long used by ferryboats traveling to Annapolis and by commercial fishermen. The oyster shells sometimes found on the beach are artifacts of this bygone era.”
– Adapted from a history by Howard French,
Former GIIA Board President & longtime resident
