James P. Ryan left Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Ryan Homes in 1967 to form the James P. Ryan Company, and the new company became the first and largest builder in the planned community of Columbia, Maryland.
In 1970, Ryan noticed a "Maryland" sign with the initial "M" and "A" covered, and shortly thereafter the company changed its legal name to The Ryland Group, Inc. Ryland made its initial public offering in 1971 and continued its national expansion during the 1970s.