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

The Ethnic Groups that Called South Norwood Home

South Norwood was a multi-ethnic neighborhood. Immigrants from Syria, Poland, Lithuania, and Italy first settled here; followed later by people from Portugal, Brazil, Egypt, and Ecuador. Like the residents of … Continue reading The Ethnic Groups that Called South Norwood Home

Chapel Court – Finnish Hall

Chapel Court lot plans showing names of lot owners (Norfolk County Deeds) By the early 1900s, the Finns began arriving in a steady stream and settling in Norwood. In February … Continue reading Chapel Court – Finnish Hall

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

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

Melville Avenue – A Place Called Home

The Wiik house soon after it was built. (Courtesy of Barbara Wiik Brierley) Grandfather Frank Neimi with grandson Richard Wiik. (Courtesy of Barbara Wiik Brierley) Melville Avenue is a dead … Continue reading Melville Avenue – A Place Called Home

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

99 Day Street – The James A. Hartshorn House

James A. Hartshorn house circa 1990 (Source: MACRIS database.) This house Italianate style with stick style elements was built by merchant, James A. Hartshorn around 1881. Originally this house lot … Continue reading 99 Day Street – The James A. Hartshorn House

🏈 Norwood vs. Dedham: A Century of Thanksgiving Football Rivalry

From Gridiron Glory to Community Tradition — A Norwood Perspective 📜 Introduction Every Thanksgiving morning, before the turkey hits the oven, Norwood residents gather with unmatched anticipation—not just for family … Continue reading 🏈 Norwood vs. Dedham: A Century of Thanksgiving Football Rivalry

Downtown Norwood In 1875

"One Pedestrian on the sidewalk on the right is the only person to be seen on the main street of Norwood in 1875. This was only three years after the … Continue reading Downtown Norwood In 1875