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Community Corner

A Stone's Throw: Ellicott City, MD

Just 50 minutes from Westminster, Ellicott City, with its cobblestone streets full of history and beauty, is a great spot for a day trip.

Once known as Ellicott’s Mills, the quaint town of Ellicott City was founded in 1772 by three Quaker brothers, the Ellicotts, from Bucks County, PA. Its many stone houses and buildings are the result of residents' backlash after a fire in the early 1800s.

Offering a wide selection of antique and specialty shops, restaurants and cafes and many local attractions to visit, Ellicott City is a great option for a day trip.

Here are a few suggestions of things to do and see:

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The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum: According to its website, the Ellicott City Station is the oldest surviving railroad station in America. The museum features the historic main depot building and the freight house, in addition, replicas of the first horse-drawn passenger rail car and a caboose from 1927. The museum also features a working scale model of the first 13 miles of railroad in America.

Shopping in Historic Ellicott City: Ellicott City has a whimsical blend of stores that feature unique clothing and collectibles. An array of art venues showcase work for sale by local artists. A few stores of interest on Main St. include The Forget Me Not Factory, Su Casa and Discoveries. You can spend an entire afternoon just walking up and down Main Street.

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Clark's Elioak Farm & Petting Zoo: The Clark Family has been farming in Howard County since 1797. The current farm produces vegetables, which are sold at their roadside stand. Grass-fed cattle, sheep, hay and wheat can be found at the farm as well.

The farm also has a petting farm and offers hayrides and pony rides. Educational tours and birthday parties can also be arranged in advance.

Of special interest to any “old school” Marylander is the Enchanted Forest collection at Clark’s Farm. In 2004 Martha Clark started obtaining items from the original Enchanted Forest, a fairy-tale theme park from the 1950s. After the park closed, the huge character displays were left behind.

Most of the items from the old theme park have been moved to Clark’s Farm, and have been fully restored with the help of volunteers. A walk through the farm is a great trip down memory lane for those of us who had visited the original Enchanted Forest, while it's a great opportunity to share those memories with those who had not.

Here are a few options to ease your hunger after a day of sightseeing:

La Palapa: Serving authentic Mexican food in a festive setting, this restaurant is a great gathering place for both families and friends. Dine indoors or on the patio while enjoying the sounds from the mariachi band while sipping on a margarita from the cantina. 

Cacao Lane: Housed in a stone building that contains materials more than 165 years old, the atmosphere here is cozy and romantic. The menu offers popular American dishes such as steak, chicken and pizza. Right in the heart of Main St., the eatery is a great place to relax and soak up some local flavor.

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