HOWARD COUNTY HISTORY

Howard County During World Word II

During World War II, German prisoners of war worked many Howard County farms. The devastation in Europe made it difficult to establish POW camps there so many German and Italian prisoners were sent to the United States. German POW’s were trucked in from Camp Meade. They earned eighty cents a day and received an education in freedom and democracy by working alongside county farmers and their families.

Local mills produced material for uniforms (W. J. Dickey & Sons, Inc. in Oella and C.R. Daniels in Daniels) and flour as well as gun parts (DCA – Doughnut Corporation of America in Ellicott City). Victory Gardens were everywhere, rationing was a way of life and Civil Defense drills and blackouts reminded residents that danger could be near at hand.

Elkridge saw local women form a sewing circle in an effort to learn ways to conserve and help in the rationing. Thirty years later they were still meeting as a group. Some of these same women learned to fire rifles as part of the local “minute men” (or should that be “minute women”) who would provide defense on the home front should the need arise.

In Ellicott City, Yates’ Market brought back their horse drawn wagon for deliveries to help in the gas rationing and tire conservation programs. The older Sam Yates was heard to say that he never trusted automobiles anyway! It is also reported that the Howard House lost the ornate wrought iron railing of it’s second story porch to the war effort. The abundance of bars and ladies of questionable character led the town to be declared “off limits” to G I’S.

The B & O Railroad also played an important role in the war with the transportation of raw materials, equipment and troops. Throughout 2005, the Ellicott City B & O Railroad Station Museum presented a series of programs relating to World War II and life on the Howard County home front. The station was transformed to reflect its appearance during the early 1940’s. WWII re-enactors made appearances, local residents were on hand to talk about their experiences during the war.