In announcing its 2011 list of the most endangered historic sites in the county, Preservation Howard County (PHC) is calling for residents, businesses, local officials, and county planners to work together to preserve the region’s irreplaceable cultural treasures.

The Daisy Schoolhouse finally finds a home and the addition of the Thomas Viaduct are changes to the organization’s 2011 list of endangered historic and culturally significant sites. The complete list includes:

• Belmont — A National Register Historic property built in 1735, Belmont was purchased in 2004 by Howard Community College. The college has abandoned plans for the property and has been unsuccessful in its attempts to secure a new buyer. The future of one of the most significant historic properties in the Maryland remains uncertain.
• Clover Hill — This late 1700's home in Rockburn Park has been stabilized, but the search for a public or private curator to establish an adaptive use of the building continues to be unsuccessful.
• Doughoregan Manor — the home of Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is a national treasure and is still threatened by development. A creative deal between the owners and the County that would ensure the survival of the historic core and preserve significant agricultural land has been delayed by an appeal, leaving the future of this site undetermined.
• The Ellicott City Historic District — Listed by Preservation Maryland as one of the Top Eleven endangered sites in Maryland; the historic district is facing developmental pressures. The historic integrity of the town, which thrives on tourism dollars and an old town Main Street feel, is threatened by insensitive development. The creation of a county Historic Preservation Plan and revision to existing regulations are necessary to ensure the survival of this unique resource.
• Ellicott City Jail — This building in the heart of the city’s designated downtown historic district has great potential to be adapted for a public building or private business, but is now crumbling from years of neglect and sporadic use. No progress has been made on identifying an adaptive use for this unique structure.
• Highland Crossroads — The Greater Highland Crossroads Association (GHCA) is working with others in Western Howard County to produce a General Plan that will protect and invigorate their historic crossroads community established in 1759. A General Plan is needed that clearly encourages the revitalization of the village crossroads by promoting attractive, well-designed new residential development, by removing the potential for undesirable conditional uses from the zoning law, and by encouraging village crossroads to continue to provide goods and services to the local community.
• National Road — Unregulated development, such as the new projects proposed at the site of the old Enchanted Forest motel and diner, risks the historic integrity of this designated National Road Scenic Byway, which was built in the early 1800's as the first federally planned and funded highway in the country. Today, this historic road, which started in Cumberland, Maryland, and connected the port of Baltimore with the Northwest Territories, is known in Howard County as Route 144.
• Rouse Company Headquarters Building — The approved General Plan Amendment for Columbia Downtown recommends that the building be a part of Columbia’s future, but without more definitive language a question remains whether the amendment effectively mandates the preservation of the building.
• The Thomas Viaduct — Completed and opened on July 4, 1835, the historic Thomas Viaduct is caught between the pull of decay and progress. CSX, the owner of the bridge, is committed to maintaining the structural integrity of the Viaduct to support their operations but say maintenance funds cannot be diverted for aesthetic improvements. Community support is needed to restore the railing manufactured at the Savage Factory, and creating a viewing area to enhance this gateway to the Patapsco Valley and in turn, the quality of life for the surrounding communities. Requests for information on fund raising can be made to 410-480-0824 or PatapscoFriend@gmail.com.

  

• Daisy Schoolhouse — The Daisy One Room Schoolhouse will be reconstructed on the property of the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum in West Friendship. The schoolhouse was numbered piece by piece, dismantled and stored, compliments of Bruno and Rebecca Reich.  Fund raising efforts are underway.  Anyone wishing to help with these efforts, either monetary or “hands-on” may call the museum at 410-489-2345 for information.

The Elkridge Patch newsletter provides additional insight into the three endangered sites located in Elkridge.

View Previous Top Ten Lists: 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

If you have historical information about any of these sites or would like to volunteer your time to help save these sites, please e-mail PHC.

Nominations for the 2012 Endangered List
Do you know of a historic site that is endangered by development or neglect? If so, please nominate that site for the 2012 Top Ten Endangered list by e-mailing PHC.