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

Points of Interest: South Norwood’s Changing Street Scape

Map of South Norwood showing were some of the major employers were located. An easy walk away. (Source: Mapcarta.com - edited by LLKearney) To travel from one end of South … Continue reading Points of Interest: South Norwood’s Changing Street Scape

Maps of South Norwood

Looking at maps of the area helps to illustrate how South Norwood grew. Two 1876 Maps show house lots on the (Upper South Norwood) end of Washington Street beyond the … Continue reading Maps of South Norwood

Growth and Development of South Norwood

Washington Street today looking South. Until 1872, Norwood was parish of Dedham. Originally, Dedham was a huge land grant that stretched westerly to the Wellesley/Natick area, easterly to Norwood/Walpole and … Continue reading Growth and Development of South Norwood

South Norwood: A Bustling Multi-Ethnic Neighborhood

1887 photograph of South Norwood, labeled "Morse Village" the Guild School is visable on the left of the picture. (from Picturesque Norwood) South Norwood was a largely undeveloped area when … Continue reading South Norwood: A Bustling Multi-Ethnic Neighborhood

The Winslow School and Beyond

A section of the 1876 map of Winslow Park which also show some of the Winslow homes. From the corner of Cedar Street down to Walpole Street is not actually … Continue reading The Winslow School and Beyond

Swedeville: Välkommen! Tervetuloa!

The Plimpton Press is one of the businesses attracted to Norwood. A map of Swedeville. When Norwood was established in 1872, it was largely an agricultural village. Town planners who … Continue reading Swedeville: Välkommen! Tervetuloa!

Savin Avenue: The Neighborhood Expands

Looking down Savin Avenue towards Chapel Street. (photo LLKearney) In May of 1899, Melville Smith bought approximately eight acres from Clara Robbins, the widow of John Robbins, and within a … Continue reading Savin Avenue: The Neighborhood Expands

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

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