The former Howard County Circuit Courthouse, located in the county seat, Ellicott City, Maryland, was recently replaced by a newer version at another location in the city. The old courthouse is situated on top of a hill with steep slopes, and from the right viewpoint you can see much of the city. Howard County was established later than other Maryland counties, being first part of Baltimore County, then part of Anne Arundel County as the Howard District, before being established as its own county in 1850. The county purchased the land for the first courthouse from Deborah Disney, a local tavern owner, in 1840. Charles Timanus started building in 1841 and the courthouse opened in 1843. It is made of local granite, a feature of many of the city’s buildings, and has Greek Revival details (cornices, pilasters, etc.) and a cupola.
