Clark’s Elioak Farm

Clark's Elioak Farm

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Clark’s Elioak Property is a historic 540-acre farm located along Maryland Route 108 in Howard County, Maryland. All of the land is protected by county or state farmland protection schemes, which prevents it from being used for non-farm development. Since 1927, the Clark’s have held the Elioak farm, a family with a seven-generation farming legacy in Maryland.
Elioak is the name of a type of silty clay loam found on the slopes and peaks of hills in the Piedmont Plateau’s northern region. Elioak soil is good for apple orchards since it is deep, well-drained, and somewhat permeable. Elioak was also noted as a former Howard County postal community at the turn of the century.
The Elioak Farm has recently been transformed into a petting zoo and a site for the restoration of the historic Enchanted Forest.

Clark’s Elioak Farm History

On November 1, 1797, James, John, and David Clark leased two parcels from Charles Carroll, beginning the Clark family’s farming legacy in Maryland. Beginning with Wheatfield Farm in the western part of Howard County in 1850, the family began purchasing their own holdings. James Clark Sr. was born at Fairfield Farm and later moved to Keewaydin Farm on Columbia Road after marrying Alda Clark of White Hall. In 1927, they bought Elioak Farm. The main house burned down in 1900, leaving a two-story tenant house and a stone slave quarters on the 312-acre farm, which was half-wooded. With yearly cattle drives down Route 29 to Wheatfield Farm, James Clark Sr. reared Angus cattle.

After participating in World War II, James Clark Jr., who subsequently became President of the Maryland State Senate, returned to Elioak Farm to continue the family farming legacy. In 1946, he was handed a half-share of his father’s farm, which he subsequently bought out and ran until his death in 2006 at the age of 87. Clark and his new bride moved into the 18th century stone slave quarters in 1946, building a kitchen and bathroom first, then two extra bedrooms and hot water in 1950. He was caught in a horse-drawn drill that ran over his head in 1947. He founded the Clarkland Farms dairy and beef enterprises at Elioak in 1951, and later expanded to the nearby 160-acre Dallas Brown Farm. In the 1960s, his concerns over land development in Howard County inspired both his political and farming careers. He founded Program Open Space to protect Maryland’s undeveloped land and served on the Maryland Environmental Trust and Land Trust Alliance.

Jimmy Carter paid two visits to the farm in 1975, when Clark organised a meeting for Maryland Democratic supporters during Carter’s presidential campaign. Carter returned in 1980 while campaigning for re-election as president. Clark’s family farm’s motto, “Never Sell the Land,” is carved on a monument stone and boldly displays Clark’s commitment.

Clark’s Elioak Farm Location

10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042, United States

https://www.showclix.com/event/clark-s-elioak-farm-2021

+14107304049

Driving Directions From Columbia Maryland, USA

Drive along US-29 N and MD-108 W 9 min (6.3 mi)
Head northeast toward US-29 S 0.2 mi
Merge onto US-29 S 0.1 mi
Take exit 18 toward Oakland Mills 0.2 mi
Merge onto Broken Land Pkwy 482 ft
Use the right lane to merge onto US-29 N via the ramp to Baltimore 3.2 mi
Take exit 21B to merge onto MD-108 W/Old Annapolis Rd toward Clarksville
Continue to follow MD-108 W 2.5 mi
Drive to your destination in Ellicott City 31 s (351 ft)
Clark’s Elioak Farm

Driving Directions From Baltimore Maryland, USA

Take Light St and E Conway St to I-395 S 5 min (0.8 mi)
Head west on E Fayette St toward N Calvert St 489 ft
Turn left onto St Paul St 312 ft
Continue onto Light St 0.4 mi
Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto E Conway St 0.3 mi
Take I-95 S and MD-100 W to MD-108 W/Clarksville Pike in Ellicott City. Take exit 21B from US-29 S 18 min (17.4 mi)
Follow MD-108 W/Clarksville Pike to your destination 4 min (2.0 mi)
Clark’s Elioak Farm