Ellicott City in Howard County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fells Lane Community

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017

1. Fells Lane Community Marker

Inscription. You are standing at the site of the historic African American neighborhood of Fells Lane. The homes were demolished n 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 Lot F. More than 40 families lived in this area from Main street to the Fells Lane Elementary School.

In the spring of 1969, residents from Fells Lane, Mercer Street, Merryman Street, New Cut Road, and Main Street moved to the newly built Hilltop housing complex on Mt. Ida Drive. The old houses on Fells Lane were demolished during the early 1970s.

Only one house on lower Fells Lane (The Heine House) and two houses from Mercer Street are still standing. The lettered housed 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places.

Location. 39° 16.149′ N, 76° 48.063′ W. Marker is in Ellicott City, Maryland, in Howard County. Marker is at

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

the intersection of Ellicotts Mills Drive and Main Street (Maryland Route 144), on the right when traveling north on Ellicotts Mills Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ellicott City MD 21043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The National Road (within shouting distance of this marker); MaryLandscapes (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellicott’s 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 line); Jonathan Ellicott Building (about 300 feet away); Disney’s Tavern (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ellicott City.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017

2. Fells Lane Community Marker

Fells Lane Community image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017

3. Fells Lane Community

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 Lot F. More than 40 families lived in this area from Main street to the Fells Lane Elementary School.Close-up of map on marker

Fells Lane, c. 1965 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 18, 2017

4. Fells Lane, c. 1965

The neighborhood as it looked in the 1960s. Facing south from 41 Fells Lane toward Main Street, Elliott city, c. 1965.Close-up of photo on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,013 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on March 31, 2020, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 23, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.