Old Ellicott City in Howard County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fells Lane Community
You are standing at the former site of the historic African American neighborhood of Fells Lane. The homes were demolished in the 1970s, and the street renamed Fels, after community activists fought for the construction of a new neighborhood.
This 1964 neighborhood map, created by former resident Tyrone Tyler, shows the housing layout of the Fells Lane community that existed on what is now Parking Lots F & G. More than 40 families lived in this area from Main STreet to the Fells Lane Elementary.
Only one house on lower Fells Lane (The Heine House) and one house from Mercer Street are still standing. The lettered houses along Main Street were torn down to make way for Ellicott Mills Drive. The Hilltop housing complex was razed and replaced by Burgess Mill Station in 2013.
[Caption:]
The neighborhood as it looked in the 1960s. Facing south from 41 Fells Lane toward Main Street, Ellicott City, c. 1965.
Erected by Howard County African American History Project (HCAAHP).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.
Location. 39° 16.149′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The National Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellicotts Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire House Annex (within shouting distance of this marker); New Fire Station & Transit Terminal (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct
Other markers no longer nearby. Fells Lane Community (has been replaced with this marker); Old Court House, 1840: (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Road to Prosperity (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); MaryLandscapes (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
