Ellicott's Mills (Firm)

In 1772, Joseph, John, and Andrew Ellicott purchased land in two separate areas of the Patapsco Valley. The three Quaker brothers from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, established a sawmill, a granite quarry, a grist mill, various farms, and a small community that became known as the “lower” Ellicott Mills.

The Ellicott’s Mills Historic District (Baltimore County) is located on the east bank of the Patapsco River, opposite Ellicott City (Howard County). The Ellicotts' Mills district relates to the industrial operations of the Ellicott family from the 1770s through the mid-19th century. The district consists of the sites of historic buildings, an 18th century building, a section of an 18th century mill incorporated in a 20th century factory, a 19th century tavern, 19th century workers housing, and an 1860 villa, united by the major east-west route in Maryland during the early 19th century, the old National Pike (formerly Fells Road, now Frederick Road). The mammoth multi-story Wilkins-Rogers Company flour plant exists at the southern end of the district on a site where grain products have been produced since the Revolution. Constructed of concrete, brick, and glass, the present plant is located on the site of the 1792 Ellicott Flour Mill, the first merchant flour mill in the United States. A portion of the old mill is located in the power house at the southern end of the complex. The original (1792) mill was located downstream from George Ellicott’s house with its gable end facing the Patapsco. It measured 36 x 100 feet. Attached to the west side of the flour mill was a saw mill measuring 14 x 60 feet. This complex was superseded by a second Ellicott mill of 1809, then by the Patapsco Mill (c. 1830s). The mill was rebuilt in 1906 and added to in 1921. The present building dates from after a fire which occurred in 1941.