Norwood Up To Date-This Day In Norwood History-October 14, 1898

Growth and Development of the Place

Some of the Advantages offered by Norwood to Investors, Manufacturers, home-seekers, and others.

The town of Norwood occupies a prominent position among the trade centers of Norfolk County. It is located fourteen miles southwest of Boston on the Midland and Providence divisions of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. Its high elevation, salubrious atmosphere, and beautiful scenery, together with its pure air, combine to make Norwood a favorite and healthy place of residence. The tables of mortality treating upon this are conclusive of the superiority on this point of this community, and without doubt the healthy conditions possessed by Norwood weigh heavily in the summing up of the advantages of its location as a manufacturing centre. Not only to the workman is the health of his family and of himself of importance, but to the manufacturer as well. The loss of income by time lost during sickness suffered by a workman, or by the frequent illness of his family, is seriously felt in the consequent deprivation of comforts which the money lost from lost time, and necessarily expended in drugs and doctor’s bills, would purchase. The lessening of such misfortunes is an object in the selection of his place of toil.

To the manufacturer, whose profits often depend upon the skilled and unbroken labor of a set of hands, the loss from the forced substitution of green, hands for competent ones, or ragged running of his machinery from the forced depletion of his working force by illness, is also, if occurring when its order books are full, a great injury, not only to his profits but to the smooth working of bis business.

To the employer, therefore, as well as to the employee, is the healthfulness of a location a subject for careful consideration, and there is no place in the Union better favored in this respect than Norwood. As a place of residence, Norwood is especially favored. Suburban residence is growing more and more in favor, not only among Bostonians of moderate means but among the wealthy. This is not to be wondered at, since the very thought of residing in the country is suggestive of healthfulness and restfulness, which cannot well be obtained in the large cities.

But the requirements of a home are becoming more and more exacting. While there must of necessity be natural advantages, the suburban resident now demands that his permanent abode shall have all the modern improvements which his city brother enjoys, and above all it must be easily accessible. Therefore the most enterprising towns within easy reach of the “Hub” are gaining steadily in population. Of this class is Norwood.

Round and about the town favored section sites for factories and mills are abundant. The business structures are well-built and prosperous-looking, while the residences and public buildings vie in taste and finish with any in the country. The influence of education upon business and society, and indeed the effect it has either immediately or remotely upon every branch of trade, give it a peculiar significance. Liberal provision for the education of the young, and thorough preparation, morally and intellectually, for active participation in the stern realities of life, are absolute necessities, in fact, requisites to success in every field of effort.

SCHOOLS.

The advantages and facilities of Norwood in this department of economy are equal to those of any other place in the county, and it is a happy commentary on the character of the people that all the schools —high, grammar, intermediate and primary—are largely attended and a degree of efficiency attained that tolls better than words how faithful, consistent and able are the efforts of the principal and the teachers. Norwood has some of the best-built church edifices to be found in this section. There are five in number, and the leading Christian denominations are represented, namely, Universalist., Baptist, Methodist, Congregational, and Roman Catholic.

FRATERNAL ORBAN[ZATIONS.

Fraternal organizations are well supported here. The orders amt lodges represented include Hebron Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; A. F. and A. M., Orient Lodge; I. O. O. F., Tiot Lodge, No. 50; I. O. O. F., M. U., Continental Lodge, No. 0,594; A. O. U. W., Norwood Lodge, No. 38; I. O. of R. M., Nahatan Tribe. No. 89; Royal Arcanum, Hook Council, No. 1,535: U. O. G. C., Reliance Commandery, No. 583; Norwood Turnvercin; N. E. O. P., Neponset. Lodge, No. 9; G. A. R., Geo. K. Bird Post,’ No. 1G9; Norwood Literary Club; S. C. T. A. and L. S.; W. R. C., Geo. K. Bird Corps, No. 78; Norwood Business Association and Board of Trade; R. S. of G. I., Golden Rule Lodge, No. 179; M. C. 0. F., St. Catherine’s Court, No. 62; A. 0. H., Norfolk County Division No. l ,and Y.M.C. A.

MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY.

The Morrill Memorial Library, one of the finest in the state, was erected and presented to the town of Norwood by our esteemed townsman, Mr. G. 11. Morrill, and wife, in memory of their daughter, Sarah Bond Morrill. This beautiful building, the cost of which must have been upwards of one hundred thousand dollars, and its beautiful location, combine to make Norwood’s Public Library one of the finest in the state of Massachusetts. The building is constructed of granite from the Norridgewock Quarries and is pronounced by authorized critics a beautiful specimen of granite and one of the first quality, and it retains its sharpness with age. The roof is laid of tile, of a beautiful pattern, and although very expensive, has a beautiful effect and will last for ages. The different walks and drives are made in the most thorough manner, and no pains or expense has been spared to make the grounds particularly suited for such a building. Being somewhat elevated, it furnishes a very suitable situation for a public library. The interior is furnished throughout, from cellar to roof, the wood used being tabasco mahogany and was selected at great expense. The deep coloring in the mahogany and artistic blending of colors on the walls and ceiling make a very beautiful effect. The stack-room is fitted with the Fenton metallic steel library stacks, capable of holding 10,000 volumes, which can be doubled by adding a story in height should occasion require. The furniture is of especial design, the wood being the same as was used in finishing. All tables have plate-glass tops, which retain the high polish of the mahogany when in constant use. The library has one of the coziest lecture halls, capable of »eating 200 people, fitted with all modern improvements, open fireplace, dressing rooms, toilet rooms, etc. The memorial windows are considered to be among the best pieces of glasswork in the state, representing Art, Literature, and Science, and are located in the above hall. All rooms have open fireplaces, built of Italian marble, and are fitted with gas logs and andirons. The building is heated throughout with indirect steam, in the basement are located the repair room, store room, fireproof vault, boiler room, and toilet room. All the things mentioned, and many others which space will not allow, combine to make one of the most beautiful and useful buildings to be found in any state of the Union, and to which all our citizens point with pride.

STREETS.

Norwood is pleasantly laid out with good, wide, well-graded, and shady streets, is lighted by gas, and an efficient police and fire department is maintained. There are also excellent express, telegraph, and telephone accommodations, and three weekly newspapers namely, the Norwood ADVERTISER AND REVIEW, the Messenger, and Norwood News (published in Walpole).

HOMES.

Norwood has appropriately been termed “A City of Homes.” Rents are fair, and buildings comparatively cheap. Being only fourteen miles from Boston, away from the noise and bustle of “Hub” life, Norwood is indeed a favored spot. Norwood and its inhabitants are prepared to welcome any who propose to make this their seat of operations, and to lend them every assistance in their power.

REAL ESTATE.

Real estate in and around Norwood has assumed an active and healthy demand. With the marked increase of population, naturally, there arises a corresponding demand for residential sites. The real estate dealers are men of standing and character. They have labored well, and their efforts have borne good fruit, the sales within the last few years running into many thousands of dollars. Much in the way of improvements has been accomplished, and there are now many desirable sites available, which will prove of advantage as investments as the place continues to grow and expand, and which are especially suitable for the erection of business blocks and residences. The future of Norwood is bright with the bow of promise. The capitalists and businessmen will be found neither stubbornly conservative nor rashly aggressive, but pursue a policy resulting in the establishing of a solid foundation.

THE PRE-EMINENT ADVANTAGES OF NORWOOD IN A PARAGRAPH.

1. Advantage of location.
2. Abundance of ground for manufacturers.
3. Good steam and electric railroad accommodations.
4. Good water, large supply, cheap rates.
5. Moderate taxes, good public buildings.
6. Agreeable and comfortable social conditions, elevated domestic life.
7. Abundance of good dwellings and low rents.
8. Profuse and cheap markets.
9. Good stores and public-spirited tradesmen.
10. Intelligent, well-behaved, and orderly workmen.
11. Unusual healthfulness and low death rates.
12. Cleanliness and sanitary conditions.
13. Hospitality of the people.

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)