CITY’s
Three Brothers.
Seven Hills.
our sponsors
pride and love of
Ellicott City.
FOUNDATION
2022 marked 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!
We hope you had a chance to join us as we celebrated and rediscovered the history and charm of Historic Ellicott City, Maryland – the town older than the United States of America!
WATCH "ON NATIONAL ROAD – The EC250 Musical"
PARTNER FEATURE
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.
PFI GARDEN CELEBRATION
The new Mary Jerdone Coleman interpretive garden at Patapsco Female Institute Historical Park inspired a program of music, poetry and special appearances following its ribbon cutting. Watch the ceremony here and then LEARN MORE about the garden project.
ELLICOTT ENCOUNTER
Diane Hunter, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and a citizen of the Tribe discusses their renown leader Mihšihkinaahkwa’s relationship with the Ellicotts and the tribe’s connection to the town and local Quaker groups.
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 aimed to inspire celebrations throughout Howard County, Maryland that honored and celebrated the 250th anniversary of the founding of historic Ellicott City, Maryland. By partnering with community groups around Howard County, we successfully shared the unique history and national significance of historic Ellicott City, Maryland through innovative educational, entertaining, and cultural events.
WHEN IS IT?
The fun began January 2022 and ran through December 2022! Check out our events page for more specifics.
ABOUT THE CELEBRATION
Events highlighted different aspects of historic Ellicott City’s incredible history. We hope you signed up for our mailing list and that we kept you well informed of all the fun happenings throughout the year.
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’.