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Thank you for your interest in EC250.
2022 marks Ellicott City, Maryland's Sestercentennial. It was 250 years ago when the Ellicott brothers arrived in the Patapsco River Valley, and decided to settle in the wild place some folks called ‘the Hollow’. Nestled between what is now Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC, the settlement would grow to become the preeminent town within the Patapsco Valley – birthplace of the Nation's industrial revolution!
Join us as we celebrate and rediscover the history and charm of Historic Ellicott City, Maryland – the town older than the United States of America!
Help support the town's 250th anniversary celebration!
Patapsco Heritage Greenway‘s contribution in support of EC250 has played a major role in Ellicott City’s 250th celebration. Watch their video Pioneering Along the Patapsco and learn about Ellicott City’s history and how the story of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area continues to unfold today.
TIME CAPSULE
What will they find 50 years from now?
We will mark the sestercentennial year with a time capsule ceremony on October 8 in historic Ellicott City. We would love to hear what you think should be included for others to find when the capsule is opened in 2072! Email your ideas.
SPECIAL FEATURE!
500 prints of the painting THE HOWARD COUNTY COURTHOUSE by Dorothy Iglehart Pumphrey were donated by her children for use as part of Ellicott City’s 250th commemoration. EC250 will make these 16″ x 20″ prints available to the public at various locations and events throughout the Sestercentennial year.
WHAT’S UP
The Maryland Museum of History & Culture is honoring Ellicott City’s Sestercentennial with a year-long exhibit entitled “RESILIENT… 250 years of Ellicott City.” The exhibition highlights the evolution of industry in the town over the past two and half centuries, and the city’s remarkable resilience in the face of floods and fires.
SEE THROUGH POEMS
On June 12th local poets and community members gathered for a reading of a collection of poems curated by Howard County Poetry & Literature Society to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Ellicott City’s founding. The poems speak to the town’s history, commerce, and people. LEARN MORE about the project and the poems.
CHEERS TO 250 YEARS
RAISE A GLASS to Ellicott City, Maryland’s 250th anniversary with the SESTERCENTENNIAL SERIES of commemorative collectable cans featuring Manor Hill Brewing‘s signature IPA! Look for the QRCode on the can to uncover more of the town’s story. Can #2 “On the Hillside” is now avaialble! LEARN WHERE to find the cans.
Please add me to your mailing list!
I would like to be added to the mailing list so I can stay informed about updates and future events regarding Ellicott City’s 250th anniversary.
WHAT IS EC250?
EC250 aims to inspire celebrations throughout Howard County, Maryland that honor and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of historic Ellicott City, Maryland. By partnering with community groups around Howard County, we will share the unique history and national significance of historic Ellicott City, Maryland through innovative educational, entertainment, and cultural events.
WHEN IS IT?
The fun begins January 2022 and runs through December 2022! Check out our events page for more specifics.
ABOUT THE CELEBRATION
Events will highlight different aspects of historic Ellicott City’s incredible history. Don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list to stay informed of the fun happening throughout the year.
Help make it happen.
Become a sponsor or make a donation to the EC250 fund. Or host an event that celebrates the Sestercentennial.
YEARS
since Ellicott City was founded
MILES
of railroad track from Baltimore to Ellicott City
PEOPLE
who rode the train in 1830 from Baltimore to Ellicott Mills
HILLS
of Ellicott City
BROTHERS
founded Ellicott’s Mills (Joseph, Andrew and John Ellicott)
But the most stupendous thing in the history of this tiny town, the thing that overshadows everything else which has happened there, is the beginning of railroading in the United States. For Ellicott City, small as it is, marks the terminus of the first railroad ever built in America.
Ellicott City might best be described as a miniature model of an early eighteenth century mill town. Built on seven hills surrounding the Patapsco River valley, the town perches on the granite outcropping surrounding the area. Streets wind their way down Main Street and thus the river – a resource that gave the town life and on more than one occasion all but destroyed it.
Lush vegetation and the swiftly flowing Patapsco River must have captivated the three Ellicott brothers (Joseph, Andrew and John) when they searched for land in the late 1760’s. The brothers had searched throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania for a site where they could grow wheat and harness water power for a mill. They purchased many acres east of the river in the valley known as the ‘Hollow’.