Mt. Ida

Mar 25, 2013

The story of Mt. Ida begins in the early 19^th century. Two years in the making, Charles Timanus, Jr., Principal builder of the Patapsco Female Institute, erected this yellow-stucco house of rubble stone for William Ellicott, grandson of Andrew Ellicott, a founder of Ellicott’s Mills. Mt.Ida’s style was gleaned from the Greek Revival and Italianate periods, reminiscent of that which pervaded the South during its Ante-bellum Period. It was the last Ellicott home built within the Historic District, a magnificent specimen of architectural excellence, and remains for us a living monument to the history and lifestyle we call our heritage.

After William died in 1838 at age 43, and until 1878, Mt.Ida was home to Judge John Snowden Tyson, who left it to his 3 maiden daughters. Ida was last to possess this lovely home and gave it its name. After Ida’s death at age 90, the home was purchased by Louis T. Clark in 1930 who kept it for 29 years. Threatened with annihilation after Mr. Clark died, Charles E. Miller purchased the property and had it stabilized. It now belongs to his son, Paul L. Miller. The lifestyle of the mansion changed its direction. From a residence to commercial usage, it housed a newspaper, other businesses and an adjunct to the town’s court facilities. Most recently it has been leased jointly to the Friends of the P.F.I. and Historic Ellicott City, Inc. for their headquarters.

An oral History of Mount Ida, by Fred Dorsey, is available by clicking here.