After 56 years of serving the Norwood community, iconic family restaurant Olde Colonial Café closes its doors as owner Paul Angelo retires.
From Gilded Age Roots to Modern Restoration: The Story of Oakview Mansion
Set high on a rise along Walpole Street, Oakview Mansion stands as a monument to Norwood’s industrial prosperity and architectural elegance. Originally built in 1868 for tanning heir Francis Olney Winslow, this Second Empire landmark later served as the "Executive Mansion" for Massachusetts Governor Frank Allen. From hosting world-renowned figures like Sergei Rachmaninoff and Calvin Coolidge to its transition into a religious retreat known as "The Cenacle," Oakview’s story is a rich tapestry of Gilded Age wealth, political influence, and dedicated modern-day restoration
Brenner’s Children’s Shop Closes After 50 Years-February 1, 2023
(Brenner's Facebook page) After fifty years of serving the local community, Brenner's Children's Shop, located at 694 Washington St has officially closed its doors for good. Owners Aron and Martha … Continue reading Brenner’s Children’s Shop Closes After 50 Years-February 1, 2023
1000 Year Storm Hits Norwood, Massive Flooding, Hospital Evacuated-June 28, 2020
A historic "back building" thunderstorm on June 28, 2020, dropped over four inches of rain on Norwood in ninety minutes, causing catastrophic flooding that completely knocked out power at Norwood Hospital and forced an emergency evacuation.
Norwood Sport Center
Explore the history of the Norwood Sport Center on Cottage Street in Norwood, MA, opened in 1940, featured in Hollywood films, and operating until its 2024 closure. Frank Sherwood opened the Norwood Sport Center on October 3, 1940. Modeled after the "Belgian Building" featured in the 1939 World's Fair, it cost $50,000 to build, a sizable sum at the end of the Great Depression. According to their website the Norwood Sport Center was the first building built as a candlepin bowling alley rather than being converted from some other use.
Building 19: The Store That Became Folklore
Building 19 in Norwood wasn’t just a discount store—it became a local legend, spawning ghost stories, urban myths, and tales of strange sightings that still circulate today. From mysterious noises … Continue reading Building 19: The Store That Became Folklore
Flood Revives Push For New Police Station-August 9, 1998
Despite previous failures, new vote likely in Norwood Dean Raymond, identification specialist with the Norwood Police Department, looked over ruins of the station’s roil call room on June 14. About … Continue reading Flood Revives Push For New Police Station-August 9, 1998
Babel’s- Pinch Me… This Can’t Be a Paint Store! (1996)
The transformation of Babel’s from a small wallpaper store in the 1950’s to the full-service, full-scale decorating center it is today accelerated dramatically over the past four years. In the … Continue reading Babel’s- Pinch Me… This Can’t Be a Paint Store! (1996)
End of the Line For Kline’s Department Store-November 14, 1994
NORWOOD - The racks in Kline’s basement children’s clothing section were bare. Beneath the knotty pine wall panels in the men’s department, bargain hunters strolled along the thin carpets and … Continue reading End of the Line For Kline’s Department Store-November 14, 1994
Butters Family Sells Pharmacy-July 20, 1990
1973 South Norwood Pharmacy Ad A significant chapter in the history of South Norwood business and family legacy came to an end on July 20, 1990. The Butters family pharmacy, … Continue reading Butters Family Sells Pharmacy-July 20, 1990