Howard County is named for John Eager Howard, who was an office during the American Revolutionary War and a Governor of Maryland.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Carroll County
E – Baltimore County
S – Anne Arundel County and Prince George’s County
W – Montgomery County and Frederick County
Created: May 13, 1838 
County Seat:
Ellicott City 1838 – present
Old County Courthouse – Ellicott City
Location: 8360 Court Avenue / Park Avenue
Built: 1843 – 1844
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Samuel Harris
Contractor: Charles Timanus
Description: The building faces south and is a two story stone and wood structure. The building is located on the edge of a hill which descends to the south. There is a high granite stone retaining wall. The south front has a central entrance on the first story. There is a wide pediment art the roof line. On the center of the roof is an octagonal cupola with gold colored dome. The building is connected to the new courthouse along the north side. An addition was constructed in 1938. The architect was Riggins Buckler and G Corner Fenhagen and the contractor was Seymour Ruff & Sons.
County Courthouse – Ellicott City
Location: 8360 Court Avenue / Park Avenue
Built: 1984 – 1986
Style: Modern
Architect: Kamstra, Dickerson & Associates
Contractor: Lake Falls Construction, Inc.
Description: The building faces north and is a two story stone and concrete structure. The north front has no windows and a wide pediment at the roof line. The entrance on the northwest corner descends through a narrow corridor of pillars. There is a small balcony above the doorway. On the west side is an open section with pediment on the roof which rises above the roof line. The building is connected to the old courthouse along the south side.
New County Courthouse – Columbia
Location: 9250 Judicial Way / Bendix Road
Built: 2019 -2021
Style: Modern
Architect: HKO
Contractor: Cark Construction Group LLC of Bethesda
Description: The modern building faces southwest and is a four story glass and concrete structure. The “L” shaped building is located on landscaped grounds in Columbia to the south of Ellicott City. The building has numerous glass walls with an extended canopy at the flat roof line. In the interior is a four story atrium. There are 12 courtrooms accessible from the corridors. with space for an additional courtroom. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 5th Judicial Circuit.
See: The 5th Judicial Circuit includes Anne Arundel County and Carroll County.
History: The county was created in 1838 and Elliot City was selected as the county seat. The court used a stone house on Main Street as a temporary courthouse. The building was swept away in the flood of 2018. The first courthouse was built in 1840 to 1843 at a cost of $24,000, and is a two story stone structure located at Ellicott Mills Road and Main Street. The building served as the courthouse until 2021. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1984 to 1986. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 2019 to 2021 at a cost of $159,000.000..
County District Court – Ellicott City
Location: 3451 Courthouse Drive / Martha Bush Drive
Built: 1981 – 1983
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces northeast and is a one story red-brown colored brick and concrete structure. The building sits at the top of a low hill and the front has a one story section on west side which extends from the main building. With a pillar at the northeast corner. The central entrance is recessed with a high pillar of the east side. The roof line is flat. The building houses the County District Court of the 5th Judicial Circuit.
County Administration Building – Ellicott City
Location: 3430 Courthouse Drive / Hickory Drive
Built: 1974 – 1975
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces southwest and is a four story red colored brick, glass and concrete structure. The building has a number angles and sections rising above the roof line. A plaza is located in front of the south entrance area. The large windows are horizontal. The building is named as the George Howard Building.
Old County Courthouse – Ellicott City
County Courthouse – Ellicott City
County District Court – Ellicott City
County Administration Building – Ellicott City
Photos taken 2013