ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Ellicott City was first founded in 1772, and it remains one of the most relevant cities in modern-day Maryland. Situated in Howard County, Ellicott City has consistently been the center of historical events and offers a variety of old architecture to explore in 2026. As a designated National Historic District, we’re going to walk you through a few interesting things you didn’t know about Ellicott City.
Ellicott City Was Founded By Three Brothers
Though the Quaker population in Ellicott City has dwindled over the years, it was originally founded by three Quaker brothers by the names of Andrew, John and Joseph Ellicott. The trio relocated from Pennsylvania to Maryland in 1772, creating various farms, mills and a granite quarry in what they began calling Ellicott’s Mills — a name that would later change to Ellicott City in 1867.
The Ellicott brothers were known for their distinct approach to farming, which focused on using fertilizers to grow grain, as opposed to the focus on tobacco farming that dominated the local region at the time. The motivation of three brothers laid the foundation of Ellicott City in the late 1700s, though the influx of new residents helped further the Maryland community’s goal and establish it into the historic city you see today.
Though not many outside of Ellicott City know the impact the Ellicott brothers had on the region, they’re mentioned often in historical accounts of the Maryland city.
Ellicott City Has Endured Many Historic Floods
Flooding is a common occurrence in Ellicott City due to its location near the Patapsco River and Tiber River. Over a dozen major floods have wreaked havoc on the community throughout the last 250 years, including Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and Hurricane Eloise just a few years later in 1975…