Page Contents for Elkridge, Maryland

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Libraries.

Schools.

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Statistics & Facts

The Maryland state capital is Annapolis.
The population of Elkridge is approximately 12,953 (1990), 15593 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 5,574 (1990), 5734 (2010).
The amount of land area in Elkridge is 20.456 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Elkridge to Washington DC is 25 miles.
The distance to the Maryland state capital is 21 miles. (as the crow flies)
Elkridge is positioned 39.20 degrees north of the equator and 76.75 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

south of Baltimore, near Chesapeake Bay.
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History & History Related Items

Elkridge was a very early settlement in the area, dating back to the early 1600's, probably the oldest settlement in the county. Elk Ridge Landing was the area of the docks along the Patapsco River. The Ridge area was west of Doughoregan Manor. Elkridge grew in prominence as the tobacco industry grew. The planters would bring their tobacco to the docks, usually in the large barrels called hogsheads. Another industry which was of importance in the history of the area was iron. The red clay in the nearby hills was noted early on, around 1608, when John Smith first came up the Patapsco River. By 1719, the area was established as a good place for iron manufacturing. Elk Ridge Furnace was begun in 1750 by Caleb Dorsey. He was largely responsible for the port of Elk Ridge which he wanted to help him ship his products to England. The Landing grew to be very productive remaining second to Annapolis as a seasport in the area. Unfortunately, the iron industry did not remain productive for Elk Ridge, declining by the mid-1800's. The iron factory was closed, but out of its "ashes" came another boon for the area in the willows which grew up there. During the early 1900's, baskets were created and sold from these willows.

In 1883, the Thomas Viaduct was begun. It was a large bridge spanning 612 feet from shore to shore. Made up of eight high arches, the bridge was sixty feet high. It was named for the first B&O Railroad president, Philip Thomas. Unfortunately, the bridge also prevented ships from going any further up the river. As time went by, more people moved into the area with farms, homes and businesses. The silt in the river increased. This, along with the declined iron and tobacco industries here, led to the closing of the Elk Ridge Landing and the settlement then became known as Elkridge.

For more details from this history see this page
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Elkridge City Government

Howard County website

Elkridge Chamber

Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 410-730-4111
FAX: 410-730-4584

Elkridge Organizations

Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 410-730-4111
FAX: 410-730-4584

Elkridge Libraries

Howard County Library
Central Library
10375 Little Patuxent Parkway
(Little Patuxent Parkway & South Entrance Road)
Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: 410-313-7800

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Elkridge Branch Library
6540 Washington Boulevard
Elkridge, MD 21075
Phone: 410-313-5088

Elkridge Schools

Howard County Public Schools
10910 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Phone: 410-313-6600

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Elkridge Elementary School
7075 Montgomery Road
Elkridge, MD 21075
Phone: 410-313-5006
Fax: 410-596-1574