Howard County is only 251 square miles-- the second smallest county in the State of Maryland. Its boundary lines are the Patapsco River and the Middle Patuxent Rivers. Five other counties touch its border—Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Montgomery and Prince Georges. Up until 1851, Howard County was part of Anne Arundel County.

Howard County is named for the Revolutionary War officer, John Eager Howard, who was the victor in the Battle of Cowpens, in South Carolina where the United States fought the British for independence. He was also a statesman and governor of the State of Maryland.

Ellicott City, the county seat, was settled in 1772 before the original colonies became the United States! Originally called Ellicott Mills, the town is named for the Ellicott family who took advantage of the town’s riverside location to set up a series of grain mills along the Patapsco.

Years ago, the Patapsco River was much deeper than it is today. In fact, during colonial times, tall ships sailed up the river to a deep water port called Elk Ridge Landing. Since then, the river has filled with silt and the community of Elkridge has grown around the original location.

Four governors of the State of Maryland came from Howard County… George Howard(1788-1791), Thomas Ligon (1854-1858), John Lee Carroll(1876 -1880), and Edwin Warfield (1904-1908). In fact, the site in Ellicott City where county government offices are located is called “Governor’s Hill” and the four buildings there are named for these men.

Charles Carroll, who signed the Declaration of Independence, spent summers at Doughregan Manor, a family home just west of Ellicott City. He was a leader in the American Revolutionary War and the only Roman Catholic to sign the historic document. His home still stands today however it is located on private property.

Benjamin Banneker, known as "The First Black Man of Science" spent his entire life in the Ellicott City/Oella area. In addition to his many scientific studies he helped to survey Washington D.C.

Jim Rouse, the man behind the planned community of Columbia can also be thanked for many noted attractions in cities across the country including Haborplace in Baltimore City. His grandson is the popular movie actor, Edward Norton. You can find a statue of Mr. Rouse looking over his plans for Columbia at the downtown Lakefront not far from "The People Tree."

"The People Tree" sculpture, located in Columbia's town center by Lake Kittamaqundi, is fourteen feet tall with sixty-six guilded people as its branches. It was created by Baltimore sculptor Pierre duFayet and has come to symbolize Columbia's founding philosophy as a diverse community of people who are accepted for who they are.

Howard County is home to three National Historic Landmarks. The Thomas Viaduct in Elkridge, The Bollman Truss Bridge in Savage and the Ellicott City B & O Railroad Station in Ellicott City.