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Visitor Information Center

The Howard County Tourism Visitor Information Center is located in the Ellicott City Historic District at 8267 Main Street. This is in the basement of the former United States Post Office building and the entrance is on the side of the building off of Hamilton Street.The phone number is 410-313-1900/1-800-288-8747

The Visitor Center offers a variety of items for sale, including books, prints and afghans.

A complete list of items follows.

Maryland Gift Baskets
Includes a plush hand towel monogramed (in MD) with the MD State Flag, pure glycerine-based soap, handmade on the Eastern Shore, featuring an authentic MD Blue Crab and a delicous lemon-lime scent, chocolate Black-eyed Susans made by Baltimore's own Moore's Candies, sachet of lavendar from Stillridge Herb Farm in Woodstock, an Ellicott City Railroad Station mug, Historic Oakland (Columbia) note cards and envelopes, and a pair of 10" colonial taper candles hand dipped by My Maryland Candle Company. $32. Check one out at www.marylandgiftbaskets.com

Historic Ellicott City – A Walking Tour, by Joetta Cramm,This book is one of the most definitive histories of Ellicott City (Ellicott’s Mills) with many pictures that have been obtained by the author through extensive research of the town, Cost is $20.00

Ellicott City, Maryland – Mill Town, U.S.A., by Celia M. Holland, 2003 Update By Janet P. Kusterer and Charlotte T. Holland, This book is another of the definitive histories of Ellicott City and also includes information about the families that lived here. Originally published in 1970, the book was updated in 2003 to add to the original book information about the changes in the town in the intervening 30 years. Cost is $19.00

The Ellicotts: Striving for A Holy Community, by Alison Ellicott Mylander, This book looks at the Ellicott family from the perspective of the family’s Quaker religion and its effect on the success of the family and that of the town. Cost is $2.15

A Pictorial History – Howard County, by Joetta M. Cramm, This book is exactly what the title says and then some. There are many pictures and stories of the families and buildings in Howard County. Originally published in 1987, this is the fourth printing which adds another chapter and many more pictures. Cost is $42.50

The Ellicott City B&O Railroad Station – A National Historic Landmark, by Janet P. Kusterer, Travis Harry, and Charles Kyler, This book is a brief history of and guide to the oldest railroad terminal in America. Cost is $10.55

Images of America - Columbia, by Barbara Kellner, This book is a history of the development of Columbia, Maryland by the Rouse Company. It covers the land acquisition beginning in 1962, the planning done by the Rouse Company, and intertwines many Howard County historic sites and the development of the Columbia community. Cost $21.25

Images of America - Ellicott City, by Marsha Wight Wise, Highlights in this book are many long-gone local landmarks as well as those that have stood the test of time & man. "These images & stories serve as a tribute to the lives and experiences of the area's past and present". The cost is $21.25

The Patapsco River Valley – Cradle of the Industrial Revolution in Maryland, by Henry K. Sharp, This book covers the variety of manufacturing facilities that lined the banks of the Patapsco River, e.g., flour, iron, paper, and textiles. Of particular interest is a panoramic view of the scenery on the Patapsco River with a key to the panoramic view’s features. Cost is $25.00

Farms Never to be Forgotten – A Glimpse into the Changing Pastoral Landscape of Howard County, Maryland, by Shyami Codippily, This book shows many of the historic farms of Howard County in paintings, pictures, prose and poetry. Cost is $18.00

Patapsco Valley State Park – The Complete Trail Map, This map covers the entire Patapsco Valley State Park from Elkridge to Sykesville with pictures of significant features that are marked on the map and also covers over 170 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Cost is $6.40

Patapsco Valley State Park – Maryland Trail Guide, Covering the Avalon, Hilton, Glen Artney, and Orange Grove Areas,This map covers the Patapsco Valley State Park from Elkridge to Ilchester Road and Hilltop Road which includes the areas listed above. Trails are identified for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Cost is $3.20

Patapsco Heritage Trail – A Self-Guiding Heritage Tour Map, This map covers and describes specific heritage sights in the Avalon, Glen Artney, and Orange Grove areas of the Patapsco Valley State Park. Cost is $1.00

Ellicott City, Maryland Main Street Architecture Poster - The poster depicts architectural elements from Main Street buildings in Historic Ellicott City, Maryland. This poster is reproduced from a larger poster produced by the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation. The poster is an 8.5” x 11” limited edition in blue ink on gray background. An accompanying text sheet provides locations and descriptive information on the architectural styles. Cost is $5.25

Historic Ellicott City Prints - These prints, by Carole Ann Zinc, are of various historic buildings in Ellicott City. They are matted and ready for framing. Cost is $21.25 to 31.80

Ellicott City, Maryland Caboose Poster - This poster (23” x 27”) is a photograph of the B&O caboose at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, Ellicott City Station. The photography is by Roger Core and the poster is from the former Margaret Smith Gallery (now Gallerie Elan). Cost is $10.55

Ellicott City Scenes - These scenes are from the work of local artist Mary Jo Tydlacka. There are four different scenes that are matted and ready for framing. Cost is $26.50

Howie – An American Goldfinch - Howie is the official bird of Howard County. This Howie is from Wild Republic Birds with authentic bird calls. Cost is $7.50