Four Firehouses of Ellicott City

The first three firehouses were on upper Main Street, and the current firehouse is above Old Ellicott City at the top of Old Columbia Pike at 4150 Montgomery Road.

Thanks to everyone - present and past - who stepped forward to be firemen and protect us all.





Firehouse (1889-1924) 3829 Church Road, municipal office and a meeting hall from 1906-1935, library until 1988, now a museum. Sat & Sun 11-4. HABS HERE.

Back/side stairs to back/side doors and upper road. Outside stairs and gazebo for Howard House annex, and straight stairs on left for firehouse.

1894 hand drawn hose cart with bell on left that was hit (rung) when wheel turned

Hand operated, horse-drawn pumper "Howe"

A horse drawn firetruck was kept in the firehouse and the horses were across the street at James H. Gaither's Express Office and Livery Stable, 8249 Main, demolished in 1939 (pictures from Remembrances book) then Post Office, now visitor's center. Sanford 1904 map- bottom left livery stable, blue square (meaning built of stone) firehouse upper right (yellow - wood)

The south stone foundation wall of the firehouse has donated items imbedded in the newer laid section (right of downspout pipe) - key, Masonic pin 2006, marbles and more in the east end of wall.

Click to enlarge and see objects

Second Firehouse (1923-1938) 8316 Main St. Photos from Remembrances of Passing Days...

After 1927 renovations

Third firehouse (1938-1997). 8390 Main St. "the lantern on the roof is a close copy of the lantern on Doughoregan Manor." [HABS report HERE]. Now: Wine Bin with it's own adjacent parking lot.

Fire department and transit terminal (trolley) Ellicott City 1944

1939 plaque

Firehouse lantern

Doughoregan Manor (c1727, remodeled 1832, one room deep) home of Charles Carroll (1737-1832) the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence, has an octagonal roof lantern.

Linwood lantern provided light and ventilation. Its windows opened inward by small pulleys above each window (faint dark spots on ceiling in middle of each) which connected to flues through the vents (seen below each window). Linwood House/Center blog post HERE   

'Aubergine' sculpture by Jan Kirsh 2018 infront of third firehouse

Firehouse since 1998 - Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department 4150 Montgomery Road (by Rt 29 exit and Old Columbia Rd into Main St. EC). Large model train display for Christmas every year.

HABS is Historic American Buildings writeup.
Remembrances of Passing Days: A History of Ellicott City and Its Fire Department by B.H. Shipley, William F. Klingaman. 1997 Black and white photos.

©2026 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD