Patapsco Guards – 1861
Created in town at the start of the Civil War
1851 – Howard County
On July 4, 1851, the Howard District of Anne Arundel County becomes “Howard County” with Ellicott Mills designated as the County Seat because of the grand Courthouse. It is named for Revolutionary War hero John Eager Howard and Maryland’s fifth Governor.
The Court House – 1843
On Court Avenue is built. Capitoline Hill is nicknamed Mount Misery due to hauling the granite stones up the hill.
1837 – Patapsco Female Institute
On January 1, 1837, the Patapsco Female Institute opens its doors for female students. This school is not just a “finishing school” but a full college including courses on chemistry, biology, languages and sociology.
Peter Cooper’s “Tom Thumb” – 1831
Initiates the use of steam power at the B&O Station in Ellicott Mills and America’s Railroad Age begins.
1830 – Railroad Terminus
The first railroad terminus built in America is located in Ellicott Mills.
Little Turtle – 1807
A chief of the Miami nation and one of the most famous Native American military leaders, spends time in Ellicott City as the guest of George Ellicott during Christmas Week. George’s daughter, Martha Ellicott Tyson recalls meeting Little Turtle when she was 12 in a book she later wrote.
1806 – The Ellicott Brothers & Charles Carroll
Form the Baltimore and Frederick Turnpike Company to build a toll road from Doughoregan Manor to Ellicott Mills to expedite the processing of wheat products. The idea for a National Road took shape while Thomas Jefferson was President (1801-1809).
The Ellicott Family – 1800
Donates four acres for a Quaker meeting house and a cemetery to accommodate people of their own faith, and others who were desirous of assembling in congregated worship
1795 – Martha Ellicott Tyson
Is born at the home of her parents, George and Elizabeth Ellicott, at Ellicott Mills. Martha would later write 2 significant books, The Settlement of Ellicott’s Mills and A Sketch of the Life of Benjamin Banneker. Both continue to provide valuable insights into her Quaker ancestors concerns for education, eldering and ministry, African Americans, and Native Americans.
Benjamin Banneker -1791
Accompanies Major Andrew Ellicott to the banks of the Potomac River to assist in the survey of the new federal city that would become the nation’s capital. In his free time Banneker begins to write the Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Almanac and Ephemeris. The almanac included information on medicines and medical treatment, and listed tides, astronomical information, and eclipses calculated by Banneker himself. He published the journal annually from 1791 to 1802.
1780 – Saint Luke’s
One of Ellicott City’s oldest landmark, an original settler’s hut, is built. The structure would later become a meeting place for the organizers of what would become the Saint Luke A.M.E. Church. It would later be known as the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin.