fbpx

Norwood’s Living History-Roaring Twenties, Depression and World War II

The seat of town government found a magnificent now home when the Memorial Municipal Building was dedicated on Sunday, November 11, 1928.

The bells of the Tilton Carillon pealed forth in concert, beginning a joyous and continuing custom.

In the following year came the Crash, followed by the Great Depression. The people of Norwood did not escape the blow, but there was hope in the town for a brighter future. A Norwood man, Frank G. Allen, rose to political prominence and was elected Governor of Massachusetts from 1929-1931.

During his term of office, the Norwood Municipal Airport was opened.

In the ’30s, Norwood maintained its character as a trade and transportation center, with three New Haven Railroad stations as well as three electric railways whose twin tracks neatly bisected the Washington Street business district.

Recovery came slowly to Norwood as to the rest of the country. During this period, W. W. (“Win”) Everett began publishing his “Tiot Tates” under the auspices of the Norwood Historical Society. Later historians are Indebted to his painstaking research, his skill as a photographer and collector.

The Norwood Historical Society acquired Day House as its permanent home in 1934, and art classes were held in this his unique Victorian mansion.

The Civic Association flourished.

Then came Pearl Harbor, and it was mobilization with a vengence. Bendix Aviation built a plant in Norwood, providing equipment for the war effort and giving the town’s economy a healthy thrust.

Men from Norwood served throughout the world. For those at home, food was rationed; housewives went shopping with ration books; and automobiles and gasoline were scarce because of the national emergency.

When the war ended, all the bells in town rang out in celebration, but the town did not forget the men and women who had served so well. The length of Norwood’s Honor Roll can be seen today in the Town Square (Editors Note: it has now been moved across the street from the Common to Memorial Hall), and the new Civic Recreation Center has been dedicated as a living memorial to the veterans of World War II.

By Marguerite Krupp, Originally published in the 1972 Centennial Magazine

It was called TIOT, “the place to cross the water.”

It was called TIOT, “the place to cross the water.”

By Marguerite Krupp, Originally published in the 1972 Norwood Centennial Magazine The Indians who lived near the Great Blue Hill…

Norwood’s Living History-South Parish

Norwood’s Living History-South Parish

Gradually, more people moved to this settlement but they were still required to attend Sunday sendees and Town Meetings in…

Norwood’s Living History-Colonial War Years

Norwood’s Living History-Colonial War Years

The years between the founding of the South Dedham Parish and the Revolutionary War were busy ones in South Dedham.…

Norwood’s Living History-“The Hook” Is Born

Norwood’s Living History-“The Hook” Is Born

ln 1806, when the Norfolk and Bristol turnpike was laid down along present Washington Street, it brought even more business…

Norwood’s Living History-Manufacturing Begins

Norwood’s Living History-Manufacturing Begins

In 1849, the sound of pick and shovel on the Norfolk County Railroad re-awakened agricultural South Dedham to its industrial…

Norwood’s Living History-Independence

Norwood’s Living History-Independence

In this atmosphere, the frictions between Dedham and its South Parish, which had been building since 1734, finally set off…

Norwood’s Living History-Post War Norwood

Norwood’s Living History-Post War Norwood

The dream of “home” that sustained so many soldiers during the long war years began to take tangible form when…

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

error: Content is protected !!
%d bloggers like this:
search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close