Norwood Christmas Ads 1887-1899

South Norwood was a largely undeveloped area when Norwood was established in 1872. There were a few houses located on in Upper South Norwood by Dean Street, the Balch School … Continue reading South Norwood: A Bustling Multi-Ethnic Neighborhood

By the early 1900s, the Finns began arriving in a steady stream and settling in Norwood. In February of 1904, eighteen local Finns decided to organize a labor society, this … Continue reading Chapel Court – Finnish Hall

In May of 1899, Melville Smith bought approximately eight acres from Clara Robbins, the widow of John Robbins, and within a month he had divided up this land into 28 … Continue reading Savin Avenue: The Neighborhood Expands

Melville Avenue is a dead end street, with approximately ten houses on it. At the very end is the only triple-decker in Swedeville – John Wiik built it in 1915. … Continue reading Melville Avenue – A Place Called Home

The Italianate style was prevalent from 1840 to 1880, and like the Greek Revival, frequently has pedimented gables on columns at the front entry and is defined by simple but … Continue reading Italianate