Recently on what was a nice warm indian summer Oct. day I decided to take my camera to Oella to do some photography and exploring. Many times I have driven through Oella stopping here and there to capture a few shots of this historic place , but never as much as on my last visit.
Oella a historic charming 19th century mill community just up the road from historic Ellicott City is often overlooked by many. It is located on the north bank of the Patapsco River , just off of Frederick Rd in Western Baltimore Co. High on the hillsides over looking the river and through the winding roads of this small community many of the millworkers houses still remain. Stately and picturesque these 19th century houses built of stone, bricks and wood(The stone/granite coming from our local quarries) are still a strong symbol of what was a thriving mill community for many years.
Oella was founded in 1808 by Union Manufacturing Company ,a group of prominent Baltimoreans such a John MC Kim who started thecompany as a working class community of millworkers and was one of the first cotton mills in the United States. As far back as 1819 they were also using water powered looms. At one time Union Manfacturing Company was also the largest Textile mill in the Unites States and in the country. By the time their second mill opened in 1819, they had a total of 6300 spindles. For awhile Union Manufacturing was just second to the mills in New England in size and production when it opened in 1808 .Union Manufacturing was founded for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and cotton products. It is interesting to note that the name given to the mill community Oella was named after the first woman who started spinning cotton in America. Her full identity was never given to the mill town and is just another one of Oellas mysteries.
In 1813 a second mill was built with plans of a third and fourth. Unfortunately disaster struck in 1815 when a fire broke out at the mill complex and is said cost a worth of 60,000 in damages it was estimated, but amazingly enough they were able to resume operations within just a month of the fire . In 1817 disaster struck again, this time it was a flood in August of that year. Destroying parts of the dam , the head gates and much of the mill race bank. So much was destroyed that it was decided to not rebuild and continue operations in the 1813 mill building. By 1834 the textile mills had peaked and problems of over production were happening and unfortunately to many workers that werent needed. The cotton mills stopped production laying of many of the workers. By 1838 they were manufacturing cotton duck. In 1882 a new building was constructed at Union Manufacturing. Inside were beautiful wood floors and beams at a cost of 20,000. But in just a few years things were not looking good for Union Manufacturing and their mill complex in 1887 was advertised for sale and thus would begin a new era.
The winning bidder at the auction was a man named William J Dickey who purchased the mill complex for $125,000. William Dickey orginally from Northern Ireland came over to the United States as a small boy with his family and later went to work for his father in the wood manufacturing business. When only 24 he started his own weaving business and starting it with only a small sum of $75.00 in his pocket. After W.J. Dickey acquired Union Mauufacturing in 1887 he changed the name of the factory to Oella Mills. Manufactured at the Dickey mill textile production included wool jerseys, plaid linseys, cotton duck, twilled fabric etc. and was considered one of the finest manufacturers in the South. Dickey died in 1896 and the company became W.J Dickey and sons Inc. Unfortunately in Jan of 1918 disaster struck when a large electric globe exploded and caused a fire that destroyed three mill buildings and a warehouse. But the Company rebuilt in 1919, opened a new glass and brick plant. During WW2 the Dickey mill produced olive colored overcoat material and survived the Depression of the 1930s. By the 1960s when foreign fabrics were flooding the American market and double knit fabrics that couldnt be made on the weaving machinery it would slowly be the beginning of the end for the Dickey Mill. :"Dickey-SheepBrand since 1838 " there slogan and "Fabrics with Heritage" would mark the end of an era and in March of 1972 the factory closed for good. But the strories and memories of these Oella Mills remain. One I remember reading was one where local woman told the story of how her father would swim in the Patapsco with other local kids around the factory , but when they were about to pour dye in the river from the Dickey Mill a loud whistle would sound for the children to get out.
Today the Dickey building has been beautifully preserved and is now the home of "Oella Mills" a apartment building with more than 140 apts.
Among some of the other charming historic buildings in the Oella community are a couple of church buildings , an old corner store. Also in the Oella community The Trolley Stop restaurant on the corner of Frederick RD.a fave restaurant of mine in the area. Over the years it had been a tavern and store too. Just up the road from the Trolley Stop is the George Ellicott House which was home of one of Ellicott Cittes founders. Built in 1789 it survived Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972 and was moved just across the street in its present location in 1989 .
So much interesting history of Oella and with all of the research I have done I could go on forever. If you havent already and are looking for a place to go on a nice walk or a quick drive check out the charming community of Oella.
I have posted many of my photos I have taken over the last year or so in Oella. I have more photos to post and will post them in another blog.
