John Ellicott and the first steam boat

John Ellicott, son of the founder John, was one of the early experimenters of steam.  He worked on a steam boat (about 1789), and foresaw that "steam cars would roll their rapid wheels from city to city."  Unfortunately while working on his steam engine, the safety-valve became clogged and the explosion took off his right arm.  John Fitch of Phila. tried out his steam boat (image left) in 1787 which is recognized as the first steam boat.

9/11 Garden of Hope in Centennial Park - 25 years later

September 11, 2001 - the surprise attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center towers in NYC killed 2,977 people. The following year the Garden of Hope was created in Centennial Park to remember the attacks and the four Howard County residents who were killed. It is located across from the white outdoor amphitheater at Centennial Park, South off Rt 108.