Elioak, Maryland facts for kids

Elioak is a historic area in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It's not a city or town with its own government, but rather a community within the county. Elioak was once home to large farms and played a part in Maryland's history.

Discovering Elioak's Past

Elioak was once the location of a large farm called "Pushpin Farm." This farm covered about 200 acres (which is like 150 football fields!). It was bought in 1724 by Colonel Edward Dorsey. This land was also the burial site for many important members of the Dorsey family.

A Look Back in Time

The name Elioak comes from the Elioak plantation, a large farm built by Owen Dorsey. He was a judge in Baltimore. For a while, Elioak even had its own post office, which operated from 1893 to 1922.

Local Life and Contributions

Farmers in Elioak were known for growing amazing apples and pears. Many families, like the Kahlers, Millers, and Worthingtons, lived in Elioak. Some of their family members bravely served during World War I. After the war, the name "Elioak" became less commonly used for the area.

Roads and Development

An important road connected Elioak to Simpsonville. This road was surveyed again in 1820 as part of a huge property owned by Charles Carroll. He was a very important person in Maryland's history. A stone marker on the road mentioned "Push Pin," referring to the old farm.

Modern Connections

In the early 1900s, this road was paved and became Route 108. This road helped shape how the area grew. The land inside the curve of Route 108 was planned for new homes and services. This area was later developed by the Rouse Company to create the planned community of Columbia. The land outside the curve of the road has been kept more rural. This was thanks to efforts by Senator Clark in the 1980s, who helped protect these natural areas.