CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. – March 31, 2026, marks the 103rd anniversary of the fire that destroyed the Belvedere Hotel, a prominent landmark in the early history of this Calvert County resort town.
The four-story Victorian-style building stood on a hilltop overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Completed in 1900, the structure originally operated as the Club House and formed part of developer Otto Mears’ vision to establish Chesapeake Beach as the “American Monte Carlo of the East,” a destination featuring high-stakes gambling, a racetrack and luxury amenities.
Contemporary newspapers described the Club House in detail. Articles in The Topeka Daily Capital on Nov. 7 and 17, 1900, and the Lexington Herald-Leader on Nov. 18, 1900, highlighted luxurious furnishings that included lush velvet carpets, broad stairways, massive oak furniture and costly pictures. The Washington Times reported on Oct. 31, 1900, that the building featured “the most approved sanitary and electric lighting appliances,” a notable advancement at the time.
The Baltimore Sun on Dec. 11, 1900, noted the color scheme of red, gold, green and silver blended to create an atmosphere unlikely to irritate patrons. The first floor contained offices, reading rooms, an elegant café and smoking rooms, along with a large domed room with a stained-glass ceiling designated for roulette. Upper floors offered sleeping rooms, card playing areas, billiards, a saloon and other member-approved entertainment. The third and fourth floors included 16 bedrooms with views of the bay.
The racetrack associated with the development was never used for racing. Strong anti-gambling sentiment grew across the country at the turn of the century. Management failed to obtain a necessary gambling license, believing the company charter allowed unrestricted operation. Many managers resigned by the end of 1902.
By 1903, plans for a gambling resort shifted toward a family-friendly destination. In 1904 the Club House was renamed the Belvedere Hotel and remodeled to increase the number of guest rooms to 54. The building subsequently served as a hotel, office space, restaurant and community gathering place.
On March 31, 1923, a fire broke out in Chesapeake Beach. Reports indicate it began at a nearby store and spread toward the resort area. With no local fire department in place, residents formed a bucket brigade that prevented the fire from destroying additional structures in the town. The Belvedere Hotel was vacant at the time and sustained total loss. No injuries occurred. The Evening Sun of Baltimore reported on the incident the same day.
The destruction represented a significant setback for the community. The site remained largely dormant for several years. In 1930, a ballroom and salt-water pool were constructed nearby as part of Seaside Park, continuing the town’s evolution as a recreational destination.
The Belvedere Hotel operated for roughly 23 years. Its story reflects the ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to create a major gambling resort on the Chesapeake Bay shoreline in the early 20th century, followed by adaptation to broader tourism needs.
Chesapeake Beach, incorporated in 1886, grew around the railroad line that brought visitors from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The former hotel site sits near the southern end of the boardwalk area. Today the town attracts visitors for its boardwalk, beach and amusement facilities.
The Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum maintains records and exhibits related to the Belvedere Hotel and the town’s early development. The 103rd anniversary of the fire provides an opportunity to review this chapter in Southern Maryland’s resort history.
