Spring Promise

Jan 8, 1990

Spring Promise, along with four other log cabins, was built in Oella in the years immediately following the War of 1812. It was built to house workers at the Union Manufacturing Company, the first textile company chartered by the State of Maryland. For a brief time, the company boasted it was the largest cotton mill in the United States. In 1887 the mill and village were bought by William Dickey who converted the mill into woolen manufacturing.

The Dickeys added siding and additions to the log cabins but not to Spring Promise. In 1984 Oella finally got water and sewer, enabling restoration and development of the village to get underway. In 1972 Charles Wagandt bought the property and the simple log cabin was restored and fronts a magnificent addition that rises to the rear of the log cabin with views of the Patapsco River Valley. Oella was named for the first woman to have spun cotton in America.

Spring Promise is located a half mile from Ellicott City on Logtown Rd., one of the most picturesque sections of Oella, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The show house was held from October 6 to November 4. The chairman was Vera Leclercq.