What began as a humble milling town became Ellicott City, part of the Baltimore metropolitan area and an important piece of Maryland history. In 1772, the Ellicott brothers purchased land and water rights in the valley along the banks of the Patapsco River for $3 an acre. They constructed mills, started the National Road, and brought the railroad to what was then called Ellicott's Mills. The newly constructed railroad in the 1830s put Ellicott City on the map, and even today, the oldest surviving train station in the United States is located in Ellicott. Enduring highs and lows as a center of industry, the 20th century saw Ellicott City transform once again into a suburban haven, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the US.

Ellicott City, the seat of Howard County, began its life as a mill town before the American Revolution. Quaker brothers Joseph, Andrew, and John Ellicott built their first mill in 1772. The Patapsco Valley and River provided the brothers with the fertile land and power necessary to make the finest wheat flour. Ellicotts Mills, as the town was first known, grew steadily, becoming home to mill workers and merchants. Maryland founding families such as the Carrolls, Dorseys, and Warfields kept their family fortunes in Ellicott City because of the brothers' agricultural expertise. Thus a town rich in history, tradition, and architectural gems was born. Highlighted in Images of America: Ellicott City are many long-gone local landmarks, including the Patapsco Female Institute and Rock Hill and St. Charles Colleges. Featured as well are the monuments to bygone days that have endured time, progress, floods, and fires, and are still standing today. Ellicott City, the seat of Howard County, began its life as a mill town before the American Revolution. Quaker brothers Joseph, Andrew, and John Ellicott built their first mill in 1772. The Patapsco Valley and River provided the brothers with the fertile land and power necessary to make the finest wheat flour. Ellicotts Mills, as the town was first known, grew steadily, becoming home to mill workers and merchants. Maryland founding families such as the Carrolls, Dorseys, and Warfields kept their family fortunes in Ellicott City because of the brothers' agricultural expertise. Thus a town rich in history, tradition, and architectural gems was born. Highlighted in Images of America: Ellicott City are many long-gone local landmarks, including the Patapsco Female Institute and Rock Hill and St. Charles Colleges. Featured as well are the monuments to bygone days that have endured time, progress, floods, and fires, and are still standing today.

Ellicott City, the seat of Howard County, began its life as a mill town before the American Revolution. Quaker brothers Joseph, Andrew, and John Ellicott built their first mill in 1772. The Patapsco Valley and River provided the brothers with the fertile land and power necessary to make the finest wheat flour. Ellicotts Mills, as the town was first known, grew steadily, becoming home to mill workers and merchants. Maryland founding families such as the Carrolls, Dorseys, and Warfields kept their family fortunes in Ellicott City because of the brothers agricultural expertise. Thus a town rich in history, tradition, and architectural gems was born. Highlighted in Images of America: Ellicott City are many long-gone local landmarks, including the Patapsco Female Institute and Rock Hill and St. Charles Colleges. Featured as well are the monuments to bygone days that have endured time, progress, floods, and fires, and are still standing today.

A description of many notable sites of historic significance in Ellicott City, Maryland, with stories from their owners of continued preservation and restoration, filled with current information and illustrations--a valuable and entertaining resource.

Abolitionists, Patriots and innovators have all carved indelible marks on the granite crags of Ellicott City. With wit and determination, they established a tightly knit community that has thrived upon the rocky banks of the Patapsco River for over two hundred years. Janet Kusterer and Victoria Goeller bring together a fascinating history of their beloved city with colorful firsthand accounts by local residents. These beguiling vignettes paint the portrait of a city and its people, from early African American inventor and author Benjamin Banneker to the "Crime Stopper Bunny." Catch a glimpse of a community that is fiercely proud of its history as Kusterer and Goeller invite their readers into the heart of historic Ellicott City.