02-15-2024 Howard - Flipbook - Page 16
COMMUNITIES & HOUSING
The Thomas Viaduct spans the Patapsco River in Elkridge. Built for the B&O Railroad in 1833, it was the largest railroad bridge in the U.S. when it was completed.
PHOTO BY JERRY JACKSON
ELKRIDGE
AT A GLANCE
Typical home value:
$456,571
Population: 21,778
Founded: 1733
Source: datausa.io, Zillow
16
| Winter 2024 | howardmagazine.com
The oldest community in
Howard County dates to 1733
when the Maryland General
Assembly passed a law authorizing the construction of a
town on a 30-acre site of what
was then called Elkridge Landing. The new community of
Jansen Town sprang up to serve
tobacco farmers bringing crops
to be loaded onto English sailing ships docked on the Patapsco River.
Industries that thrived over
the years include pig-iron forging, basket weaving, paper,
cotton and grist milling, and of
course, the B&O Railroad.
Folks can meet their neighbors while hiking, fishing,
camping, canoeing or horseback riding in the bucolic,
16,000-acre Patapsco Valley
State Park or at Rockburn
Branch Park, which boasts four
ball fields, two basketball courts,
an 18-hole disc golf course and
four tennis courts.