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, … Continue reading Oolah Avenue to St. James Avenue

Beyond The Train Tracks at the End of Cedar Street

View of the tunnel looking towards South Norwood. (photo by LLKearney) At the junction of Cedar Street and Savin Avenue, the train tracks are visible. These tracks were here years … Continue reading Beyond The Train Tracks at the End of Cedar Street

Chapel Street: A Main Road with a Long History

Looking down Chapel Street toward Walpole Street. Chapel Street is a road that had been part of the landscape of South Dedham years before it became a part of Swedeville. … Continue reading Chapel Street: A Main Road with a Long History

The People Who Settled Swedeville

A view down Cedar Street. (photo by LLKearney)             Initially, Swedeville appears to have been a multi-ethnic neighborhood; composed of German, Irish, Lithuanian, New England/Canadian, as well as families from … Continue reading The People Who Settled Swedeville

Development of the Swedeville Area

1888 Bird's Eye view map of the Chapel Street area. No houses had yet been constructed. Plans on file at the Norfolk County Deeds office in Dedham showing the layout … Continue reading Development of the Swedeville Area

12 Vernon Street – The Joel Metcalf Baker House

Joel Baker house, circa 1900, when it was still situated on Washington Street (Norwood Historical Society collection) Joel M. Baker bought this house lot in 1854 from Joseph Day. It … Continue reading 12 Vernon Street – The Joel Metcalf Baker House

45 Maple Street – The Charles T. Wheelock House

The Charles Wheelock house, circa 1990 (Source: MACRIS database Charles T Wheelock acquired this property from his father in November 1881, building his Italianate-Stick style house there around 1883. Originally … Continue reading 45 Maple Street – The Charles T. Wheelock House

32 Cottage Street – The Bigelow/Rhoads House

The Bigelow/Rhoads house circa 1990 (Source: MACRIS database) Erwin A. Bigelow bought this house lot from his father, L Waldo Bigelow in 1873. This was a portion of Waldo’s original … Continue reading 32 Cottage Street – The Bigelow/Rhoads House

15 Vernon Street- The Lyman Smith House

The Lyman Smith house today. (photo by LLKearney) Lyman Smith house before it was moved from Washington St to Vernon Street. Lyman Smith bought this piece of property from Joseph … Continue reading 15 Vernon Street- The Lyman Smith House

25 Beacon St. – The William W. & Eliza M. (Blake) Dexter House

The Dexter house in the early 1900s. Note how the porch wraps around the side of the house. (Norwood Historical Society collection) It appears this Queen Anne style house was … Continue reading 25 Beacon St. – The William W. & Eliza M. (Blake) Dexter House