The Lithuanian-American Citizens Association has been given an October 31 deadline by Building Inspector John E. Grover to begin making its aging St. George Avenue clubhouse structurally safe, or face municipal intervention that could lead straight to demolition.
Structural Hazards and Snowload Warnings
Inspector Grover explained last week that his strict ultimatum was prompted by the approaching winter and the severe hazard that a layer of snow would pose to the compromised structure.
In a formal letter sent to club President Algrid Pechulis, Grover warned that if the roof were burdened by snow and collapsed, “It could easily endanger persons or the property abutting this structure.” Furthermore, the inspector noted, “It appears that there is movement on the second floor wall since the original collapse.”
The two-story wooden clubhouse, originally built in 1913, has remained completely closed to the public since July 11, when the building’s exterior walls buckled and the second-floor ballroom ceiling caved in. Miraculously, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Demolition Risk and Fundraising Efforts
Last week, Grover posted official warning signs declaring the clubhouse a dangerous structure—a mandatory procedural step under state statutory authority allowing the town to step in and “make the building safe,” which can ultimately include issuing an order for complete demolition. Grover clarified that if the town is forced to demolish the building, the cost will be charged back to the association via a property lien. He added that he would only pursue demolition if the club took no action, emphasizing that full restoration of the building by the end of the month is not being demanded—only that repair work begin.
Club President Pechulis could not immediately be reached for comment regarding whether the association would meet the town’s improvement deadline. However, the organization has actively worked to raise repair funds, hosting a series of benefit polka band dances at the Italian American Club in Walpole to support its building restoration fund.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
History of the Germantown Area
Long before South Dedham became Norwood, there was industry here supported by immigrants from many countries. One of the first industries was the Willard Everett Furniture factory, located approximately where the Lorusso portion of the Norwood Hospital was. Willard Everett was a furniture apprentice to Jabez Boyden who made furniture in a small mill near…
-
Germantown Points of Interest
Today, very little remains of Germantown except for the houses. Both Bullard and Wilson Streets are highly traveled, as they are a shortcut to Westwood. Some of the Germantown places and buildings are gone, and those that remain have been repurposed. People traveling down these two streets probably never realize that at one time, this…
-
Tremont Street to St. Joseph Avenue
Tremont Street On November 5, 1954, the partially nude body of fifteen-year-old Geraldine Annesse was found in the garage of #13 Tremont Street. She had been raped and strangled. Early newspaper articles speculated this might be the work of a serial sexual marauder (a sex maniac). Within two days the police had arrested 15-year-old Peter…
-
St James Avenue to St George Avenue
South Norwood Photo Studio —1 St James Avenue (now gone) John Klukas was one of two photographers who operated photo studios in South Norwood. Alexander Lapinsky had a studio around the corner at 1084 Washington. Many of Norwood’s immigrant population liked to have their pictures taken, as it was an affordable way to memorial important…
-
Oolah Avenue to St. James Avenue
Oolah Avenue Named after the Abdallahs – “Oolah” is Syrian for Nicholas. Over the years, this street has been the home to waves of immigrants – Irish, Polish, Lithuanian, Italian, Portuguese, Brazilian, Egyptian, and Ecuadorian called this street home. At one time, Matt Drummey lived here and was known for the cellos he made by…
-
Dean Street to Oolah Avenue
Temple Shaare Tefilah – 935 Washington Street Although this building is located about a quarter of a mile north of Dean Street, it was an important place for many of South Norwood’s Jewish population. In 1908, seventeen Jewish families purchased a Torah and organized this temple. Initially they did not have a building of their…
-
Points of Interest: South Norwood’s Changing Street Scape
To travel from one end of South Norwood to the other, basically from Dean Street to Mylod Street, the length is only eight-tenths of a mile (.08), but so much is packed into this area! Over the years, Washington Street has been home to many small businesses, which contributed to the vibrancy of the neighborhood.…
-
Norwood’s Polish Immigrants
The Polish share much of their history and culture with the Lithuanians. Their long connection started in 1386 Lithuania’s Grand Duke Jogaila married Queen Jadwiga, of the Kingdom of Poland, then in 1569, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was formally formed. This Commonwealth was initially known for its ethnic diversity as well as religious freedom, but as…
-
Norwood’s Italian Immigrants
In over forty years, between 1880 and 1920 over four million Italians began arriving in The United States, many coming from the poor agricultural towns located in Mezzogiorno region (the “boot” area). Those who came to Boston settled in the North End. As early as 1905, Italian immigrants were settling in South Norwood. Like the…
-
Norwood’s Lebanese-Syrian Immigrants
Syrians had been arriving in Massachusetts since the late 1880s. Many came from what is today, the countries of Lebanon and Syria, and these immigrants were mostly Christian. Traditionally, this area was a largely agricultural region. They settled in Boston where they found work as peddlers, lace makers, and in many of the area’s manufacturing…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.