Grist mill became an electric power plant on the Tiber

Just off lower Main Street on Tiber Alley, a grist mill was built sometime before an 1860 map labeled it "T McCrea Depot Mill." The 1894 Sanborn map labeled it "Ellicott City Electric Light & Power Co." (black on pink rectangle behind Kraft Meat) with the "Engines & Dynamos".  The electric company was started in 1892 but was in financial troubles by 1894 and in 1898 EC went with a Catonsville company.   Click images to enlarge.

In 1887 Sanborn map labeled it Ellicott City Mill (lower Main, 'Fredrick').

The mill race started in what is now called New Cut branch (lower left in 1899 Sanborn map by '1' in blue box), and was named "Supply Race".

Baltimore Sun July 12, 1894

Judge Jones has signed an order requiring John G. Rogers, president of the Ellicott City Electric Light and Power Company, to show cause on or before July 23 why a receiver should not be appointed for the company.  The bid was filed by James P. Bannon, solicitor, on behalf of William T Pierpoint [who bought the power plant the next year for $1000], Joshua W. Dorsey and Tabott Clark, who are among the largest creditors of the company.

Baltimore Sun Mar 11, 1895
The company is now in the hands of receivers, and the larger claims have been satisfactorily adjusted or are in the way of adjustment. The plant is in first-class condition.

The Electrical World May 4, 1895
The Ellicott City Electric Light and Power Company's plant has been sold to Wm. P. Pierpoint for $1,000. Mr. Pierpoint held a mortgage on the property.

1898 -

The council has closed a contract for five years with the Catonsville Ice, Light & Power Co. The contract begins June 1, and in the meantime the company proposes to build a power house in or near Ellicott City and have it completed by that time. The company proposes to furnish Woodstock College, St. Charles College, the Lage Hotel, Patapsco Heights, located in this city, and also Rock Hill College. It has purchased the plant of the Ellicott City Electric Light & Power Co., which has supplied Ellicott City for the past six years, and will continue to supply the city from the old plant until the new one is finished. There is a petition in circulation asking the county commissioners to aid the city in furnishing light on the public highways.

Engineering News and American Railway Journal Feb 24, 1898   

Ellicott City Electric Light & Power Co. 1899 map

First hydroelectric plant within a dam HERE
Electric related posts HERE


MIHP   HO-83   Collier's Grist Mill  8069 Tiber Alley 
1860 Martenet map  Library of Congress   Depot Mill
1887 Sanborn map LC  Ellicott City Mill
1894 Sanborn map LC  EC Electric Light & Power
1899 Sanborn map LC New Cut 
Photo from the Tiber branch side

©2018 Patricia Bixler Reber
Forgotten history of Ellicott City & Howard County MD