The Norwood Business Association
At the annual town meeting on March 7, 1892, a motion was made by John C. Lane and unanimously adopted by the town:
“That a standing committee be appointed to further the general interests of the town and especially to consider and devise ways and means of increasing the business done in the town, such recommendation and plans of said committee as shall require any action by the town to be brought before it at some future meeting.”
The moderator, Hon. Warren E. Locke, on the suggestion of Mr. Lane, appointed the following gentlemen:
George S. Winslow
James M. Folan
Thomas E. Cleary
George B. Talbot
George Hill
Francis Doane
Edmund J. Shattuck
John P. Oldham
Lewis Day
At the annual meeting in March, 1893, the committee reported that they were not able to accomplish much in the first year.
In April of 1893, the committee opened negotiations with J. S. Cushing & Co., Berwick & Smith, and H. M. Plimpton & Co. to see if they could induce them to relocate their businesses in Norwood.
The firms looked at available lots of land in town for a suitable place on which to locate their plant, and they decided that the “Everett lot,” located between Washington and Cross Streets and Everett Avenue, was the most desirable. And if the committee would give the above-named property to the above-named firms, they would move their several plants to Norwood.
The following agreement was drawn up and signed by all the members of the committee and J. S. Cushing, James Berwick, and H. M. Plimpton:
“Whereas a committee has been appointed in the town of Norwood for the purpose of promoting the business interests of the town, of which George S. Winslow is chairman and George Hill secretary, and it has been proposed by said committee to furnish to the undersigned a lot of land in Norwood with buildings thereon lying between Cross and Washington Streets, Everett Avenue and the Norwood Central Railroad Station grounds, upon which to locate the manufacturing business of our firms, and said committee is now actively soliciting subscriptions from the citizens and taxpayers of said town to defray the expense thereof, we, the undersigned, in consideration of said subscriptions and the efforts of said committee given and performed, and to be given and performed, in relation to the premises, jointly and severally agree to and with said George S. Winslow as chairman of said committee and in behalf of said committee and the subscribers to said expense, that if said premises are furnished and conveyed to us in a reasonable time, we will at once and as fast as is reasonably possible proceed to erect suitable buildings thereon to accommodate our business aforesaid, equal in capacity at least to a three-story building 60 feet by 100 feet, and to remove said business thereto, and establish a manufacturing business thereon, including all the processes involved in printing and binding books, to as large an amount and extent as we are reasonably able to do.
In witness whereof, we hereunto set our respective signatures this sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1893,
(Signed)
J. S. CUSHING & CO.,
BERWICK & SMITH,
H. M. PLIMPTON & CO.
That committee raised the money to pay for land, etc., to bring the Berwick & Smith Company and the Cushing plants to Norwood.
The Norwood Business Association came through the efforts of this committee who issued a call for all citizens interested to meet at J. M. Folan’s Store, January 4, 1894.
Fourteen responded. One week later, January 11, 1894, in the Everett School building another meeting was held, where by-laws were adopted and the following officers were elected:
George S. Winslow, President; J S. Cushing, Vice-President; George Hill, Secretary; E. L. Bigelow, Treasurer; and Lewis Day, J, A. Hartshorn, T. E. Cleary, M. J. O’Brien, and F. A. Fales, Executive Committee.
Early Conditions
Norwood was an ordinary New England village, beautifully situated and convenient to Boston and neighboring towns. We had in midst the makings of three of the largest industries of their kind in the world, the Winslow Brothers and Smith Tanneries, Morrill Ink Works, and F. W. Bird Co. In such a setting Norwood was ready for the activities of a progressive group of citizens and with such a field of endeavor, the Association had plenty of work ahead. For fifty years our endeavors have been devoted to. “Encouraging the growth and advancing the business and prosperity of our town.”
The membership included many of the most prominent citizens, officials of the town, representatives of industry as well as merchants, clergy, and professional men, thus bringing together the varied and diversified interests of the town. This made the organization, as it were, the Town in Miniature.
Along the line of municipal development, one of the first results was the establishment of a central telephone exchange. To provide better transportation facilities, they worked to bring the electric car line from Dedham to East Walpole, and later the Walpole Street line to Mansfield and the Day Street line to Canton.
In 1908 began the installation of a sewerage system and the electric light plant. We also fostered such other projects as a Fire Alarm system, larger quarters for a better equipped and more efficient fire department, an increase of the Police force, uniform street signs, improved streets, concrete and cement sidewalks, free postal delivery, street watering, adoption of the new town seal, public parks and playgrounds, advertising the Town, new tenement houses, celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Town in 1897, Old Home Day. July 30, 1902, and many other projects including a Bank for Norwood.
Thanks to a committee of which Mr. Frank A. Morrill was Chairman, in 1906, a Bank Charter was granted to a few of our citizens, and on January. 1, 1907 the Norwood National Bank, now the Norwood Trust Company, opened its doors.
Many of us will recall the controversy over the railway station question, in which the town was divided and over which considerable hard feeling was raised. It came to a climax during the administration of Judge Lane. He upheld the vote of the Business Association to consolidate the Norwood and Norwood Central stations with a new one at the foot of Day Street, but the opposition wanted it located near the Norwood Press. The matter was fought out in the Legislature and finally was compromised and harmony was restored by keeping the stations in their locations, abolishing the “lien coop” at Norwood Central, and electing the new brick depot as it now stands.
Originally our membership was limited to 50. This was increased at various times to 100, 110, 120, 140, 150 and In 1911 to 160, and later on a motion, of James M. Folan, the limit was removed. The maximum membership, in early ’20s, was over 300.
Significant Dates
In 1900 the dredging of the Neponset River in Norwood was Pleasant undertaken.
In 1901 a committee was appointed to look into the advisability of electricity for street and home lighting.
In June of 1903 it was voted that we have a permanent home. So a room in the Bigelow Block was secured for the benefit of the Association or for meetings of the Town or Other general meetings.
At the February meeting in 1904, a special committee was appointed to have an article placed in the Town meeting warrant for the best way to dispose of sewerage.
At the February meeting in 1905 the committee on Street Lighting was instructed to have an article placed in the Town Meeting Warrant, for a new Electric Light Station.
In October, 1908, President Morrill, in his address, said that some folks thought that the Association had done all that there was to be done, but he thought “we had more than ever to do.”
In October, 1910, President Smith said, “Our relation to the Town can be compared very fairly to that of an advisory Town Council. Our membership comprising, as it does, a large share of the busing professional interests of Norwood exerts a strong influence upon wise economical administration of our Town Affairs and is a leading factor in bringing about much needed public improvement.”
In December of 1910, James M. Folan, Chairman of the Hospital Committee, reported that the opinion of the local doctors was that there was a great need for a hospital in this town.
Oh January 2, 1912, Mr. Geo. F. Willett spoke on the Town Manager system for Norwood. A committee of five were appointed to look into this matter and report at a later meeting.
In May, 1913, the name of our Association was changed to the Norwood Board of Trade.
On October 1, 1913, we changed our meeting place to the Norwood Civic Association.
October 6, 1914, under the special assignment, President Parker introduced Mr. Edmund M. Blake, Engineer in Charge of the State Board of Health, who spoke on the dredging of the Neponset River and of the $195,000.00 that’ was appropriated. He told of the great, benefit it would be, not only for the people’s health but the reclaiming of land for extensive market gardening, for beautifying the landscape and for boating and canoeing.
In January, 1916, a committee of five was appointed to see if we could get the Norfolk County Agricultural School located here.
In February, 1916, this meeting was designated as Town Affairs Night. All the Town Officials. including the Manager, Chairmen of all Boards, were invited. Mr. Frank G. Allen, Chairman of the Selectmen, said the most important things were the paving of Washington Street from Guild Street to Railroad Avenue, and locating the Water Supply. Also, the Chairman of the School Committee, Mr. Cornelius M. Callahan, spoke of the need for a new High School on Washington Street. George F. Willett spoke of the need for a Town Square in the center of the Town. This was the start of our beautiful Town Square that we have today.
On May 24, 1916, a special meeting was held when the Hudson Board of Trade numbering 194, visited Norwood to look over the Town and Its manufacturing plants, and hear something of our form of government.
“Flu” Epidemic
In October and November of 1918 no meetings were held due to the “Flu” epidemic. However, at the December meeting the committee on the 25th Anniversary reported that it would be held on January 7, 1919. This had to be postponed until January 23, as no public gathering was allowed on account of the epidemic. The banquet was held in Social Hall with over 200 attending, with no ladies present. The speech-making and entertainment were in Everett Hall. President Allen introduced the Francis O. Winslow, the principal speaker.
On December 15, 1921, a Complimentary Banquet for the undefeated football team of the Norwood High School was held in Everett Hall.
On December 5, 1922, the School football team, again unfeated, was honored with a banquet.
June 6, 1922, a special meeting was held to hear the report of the committee on the Civic Association. Dr. Cleveland was Chairman.
On December 1, 1923, we held a banquet for the Norwood High and Clifton High of New Jersey after their great football game.
December, 1925, a committee was appointed on the Peabody Fund. The final result of its work, under the leadership of Dr. F. A. Cleveland, is The Henry O. Peabody School for Girls.
June, 1926, our name was changed from the Norwood Board of Trade to the Norwood Chamber of Commerce.
March, 1927, a committee was appointed to see if we could get a new Freight Station. About two years later the station was in operation.
October, 1928, Francis J. Foley asked the Chamber to sponsor the broadcasting of the first carillon concert on the Tilton Carillon, the gift of Mr. Walter F. Tilton to the town, on November 11, the cost to be about $400.00, this to be raised by subscription. So voted.
Town Survey
March, 1929. The committee on survey of the Town made its report. The survey cost $5,000.00 and was sponsored by the Norwood Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club.
April, 1929. The question of deficit on the Carillon broadcast of November 11 was brought up. There was still $303.00 due. A check was received from the Norwood Lumber Company to cover this deficit. The expense was over $600.00 instead of $400.00.
June 3, 1930. We changed our meeting place to Holman Hall on account of the loss of the Civic Building by fire. Mr. Louis Orent spoke of a Community Chest for Norwood, and a Committee was appointed to look into this matter.
February 1, 1936. The first Community Chest Drive was sponsored by the Chamber. It was a great success. $15,000 was asked for and over $16,000 was subscribed. Each year since a Community Fund has been raised. The last one, the Greater Boston United War Fund, came to over $35,500 from Norwood.
Committee on Bendix Plant was appointed and the Bendix Aviation Corporation started operation in Norwood in 1941.
March., 1943. Post War Committee appointed.
November, 1943. A committee was appointed to see what could be done to help the boys on their return from the service. In 1944, the Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Present Officers
Officers of the Chamber of Commerce for this year are: Frederick A. Howard, President; Gordon Woodberry, Vice President; Thomas F. Riley, Executive Vice President; George H. Welles, Treasurer; Arthur V Wilson, Secretary.,
Executive Committee members are: Austin L. Maddox, Russell L. Tupper, William Hyland, Winfred Fitch, Herbert Wiggin, and Harry Korslund.
Other Committees include: Aviation: Frederick S. Tobey, Chairman; Harry Howard, Herbert W. Anderson; Educational: John J. Corcoran, Chairman; Anthony O’Donnell, Dr. Joseph M. Hirsch; Growth of Town: Warren Milliken, Chairman; Edward Nee, John R. Russell, A. Franklin Swift Jr., Arthur B. Rodgers, William C. Heatlle, William L. Jankowski, Ludoric O. Fournier, Thomas Wallace, Patrick Long; Membership: Festus McDonough, Chairman; Joseph Nuttall, John Regan, Joseph Price, and Joseph Baler.
Program Committeemen are: Gordon Woodberry, Chairman; Rev. Marinus James, Rev. Edmund A. Miller, Vern Richards, Orlando M. Scafati, John H. Dunlop; Publicity: George Sherlock, Chairman; Francis V. McGilvary, John A Abdallah; Mercantile: Joseph Frates, Co-Chairman; Peter Cafaro, Co-Chairman; Maurice Baker, Charles A. Howard, William Aho, Sam witz, Loius Kilkus, James Callahan, Robert Stouppe, John Ruscitti;
National Affairs; Edward O’Toole, Chairman; Dr. Lewis J. Danovitch, Charles Donahue, Charles Britton;
Town Affairs; Francis W. Smith, Chairman; Harold Young, Anthony DeRoma, Joseph Traylor, Fred Adelmann, Walter Gotovitch, John Murphy, Ambrose Kelley, Fred Carlson, Charles Holman, Anthony Ncviackas; and Transportation: Lincoln D. Lynch, Chairmart; Myron Chamberlain, Nathaniel Bartlett, Michael A. McManus, John A. Clinch, Anthony B. Sansone, and Harold Wilde.
Past Presidents include: George s. Winslow, Hon. J. Stearns Cushing, James A. Hartshorn, John C. Lane. James A. Hartshorn,H. Allen Halstead, Hon. Frank A. Fales, J. Edward Pratt, James A. Halloran, William T. Whedon, Hon. Clifford B. Sanborn, Frank A. Morrill, George Harding Smith, Albin K. Parker, Francis J. Foley, Hon. Frank G. Allen, Cornelius M. Callaham, Herbert H. Miller, Joseph F. Mcmanus, Brainard A. Rowe, Gladwin M. Nead, Theodore E Gavin, Charles V. Britton, Francis W. Smith, Thomas B. Mulvehill, Arthur V. Wilson, Louis Orent, Eugene Connolly, Carroll P. Nead, James Curran, Dr. Lewis J. Danovitch.
source:1947 75th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine