1935 – Ellicott City is Unincorporated
Joining other county towns that chose county government rule.
The Doughnut Corporation – 1924
The Doughnut Corporation of America moves to Ellicott City from New York to become one of the areas primary employers.
1914 – Babe Ruth
Marries Helen Woodford at St. Paul’s Church
Ellicott City’s boundaries – 1914
Ellicott City’s boundaries are changed to no longer include the Baltimore County side of the Patapsco River.
1899 – The Ellicott City Trolley Line
With the completion of the trolley bridge over the Patapsco River, the trolley system ran to Ellicott City. The Ellicott City Trolley Line ran from the terminus at Fels Lane to Catonsville Junction.
1889 – The Patapsco Female Institute Closes
The Patapsco Female Institute is closed. The building is purchased by Mrs. A. Marshall Elliott (Lily Tyson) for $8500, remodeled and changed to the Bern Alnwick Hotel.
The Firehouse – 1889
A group of volunteers construct the firehouse at a cost of $500 dollars. Conveniently situated on a small, triangular lot, the original building was simply designed to house the hand-drawn and horse-drawn fire equipment.
1880 – The Ellicott City Colored School
Opens to fulfill an 1879 Maryland State law requiring counties to provide educational facilities for African American children. The one-room primitive structure operated until 1953 without running water, electricity, or central heating. Howard County Government purchased the building in 1995 and restored it to serveas a genealogical resource center and a museum to highlight the county’s African American history.
The Worst Flood – 1868
In the history of Howard County happened in October 1868 when 21.5 feet of water flooded Main Street and washed away the original buildings on the east side of the Patapsco River.
1867 – First Mayor
Ellicott Mills is granted a city charter and the name changed to Ellicott City. George Ellicott, Jr., grandson of founder Andrew Ellicott was selected as the first Mayor.
General Lew Wallace – 1864
Defeated Federal troops retreat through Ellicott Mills from the Battle of Monocacy. After retirement, Lew Wallace wrote “Ben Hur.”
1862 – Civil War Episode
Ellicott City is the scene of a Civil War episode in which the Wynan’s Steam Gun is captured in Ellicott Mills by General Benjamin Butler and Federal Troops.