Mt. Ida

Mar 25, 2013

The story of Mt. Ida begins in the early 19th 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 then belonged to his son, Paul L. Miller.

The lifestyle of the mansion changed its direction at this point. From a residence to commercial usage, it housed a newspaper, other businesses and became an adjunct to the town’s court facilities. For a time, it was leased jointly to the Friends of the P.F.I. and Historic Ellicott City, Inc. for their headquarters. New owners remodeled much of Mt. Ida and it was used as an events location and hotel. In 2023, the property was acquired by the Howard County Government and operates as The Inn at Mt. Ida. The role of Mt. Ida is ever-changing as it sits above Ellicott City and looks down on an ever-changing Main Street.

Mt. Ida is located at 3691 Sarahs Lane, Ellicott City, Maryland and is listed on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties.

The 28th Decorator Show House, Mt. Ida, was held from September 28 to October 27, 2013. Chairpersons were Joyce Pope and Marge Filbert. A total of 3,355 guests visited the home.

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