Elkridge, located in the eastern most tip of Howard County, is probably the oldest settlement in the county. Elk Ridge Landing referred to the shipping docks and concentrations of population along the Patapsco River, which was navigable into the 1800's, while Elk Ridge referred to a ridge line stretching west to Doughoregan Manor and south to Oakland Mills.

Today's Elkridge is a bedroom community to Baltimore, yet it is convenient via Rt. 95 to Washington, D.C.