“The growth of any town or city is largely dependent on the character and expansive abilities of its industries and the character of the labor which these industries employ. Intelligent and educated labor is ambitious; it is made of the stuff that builds and creates; it enlarges its capabilities and forges to the front.” Charles M. Thompson
By the early 1900s Norwood had come to be thought of as the “printing center of the United States.” Not only did they have two large printing companies and a small printing firm, but there was also a tannery that supplied leather for book covers, a company that made printing ink for newspapers, and a company that manufactured cloth for book covers.
The Norwood Business Association (pre-cursor to the Norwood Chamber of Commerce) believed Norwood was an excellent place to establish a new company. The railroad lines made commuting to Boston or to nearby towns easy, and provided a convenient way for companies to move their products. Fresh air and a bucolic lifestyle would be beneficial to employees and there was plenty of undeveloped land to build new homes and businesses upon. Plus, the town had excellent schools and churches, and offered a robust social life. The citizens and businesses of Norwood welcomed the idea of attracting new businesses to Norwood.
Click the links below to learn more:
How to Grow a Town –>
The Norwood Press –>
Plimpton Press: Book Making in its Entirety –>
Lock-Outs, Walk-Outs & Strikes –>
But What About the Women? –>
Holliston Mills: Wraps it up! –>
Extra! Extra! The Norwood Messenger –>
George H. Morrill Company –>
Dean Street Elderly Housing Project Refiled Under Chapter 40B as Board Seeks Attorney General Zoning Ruling-August 23, 1977
Developer Richard Vazza refiles his $2 million Dean Street elderly housing complex under Massachusetts Chapter 40B anti-snob zoning laws. The Norwood Appeals Board seeks an emergency ruling from the state attorney general to clarify conflicting zoning use variance powers.
Norwood Scrapbook-August 3
A comprehensive daily compilation of historical news from Norwood, Massachusetts on August 3. Featuring stories of town planning, public safety efforts, regional transportation, local achievements, and community concert traditions.
Traffic Concerns Stall Zoning Board Hearing on Proposed Caldor Shopping Center on Route 1-July 30, 1980
A zoning board hearing for the proposed $3 million Caldor shopping center on Route 1 was continued to August 19 as developers Bronson & Hutensky worked to finalize safe traffic access through Park Place Industrial Park.
Library Throws Book at Woman in Norwood-July 27, 1984
Susan Andrews became the first person arrested in Norwood for failing to return overdue books to the Morrill Memorial Library.
Appeals Board Postpones Decision On Norwood Golf Course Proposal-July 26, 1973
The Norwood appeals board postponed a decision on developer Frank R. Simoni’s proposed 97-acre golf course near Access Road, requesting a certified site plan.
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