The Germans

Examples of furniture built at the Everett Furniture Factory. (Norwood Historical Society Collection) Germans have been immigrating to the United States, long before it became an established country. In fact, … Continue reading The Germans

Germantown: A Community of Gottscheers

1852 Map (by H.F. Walling) of Walpole, showing the area that would eventually become Germantown. Germantown was an almost self-contained section of Norwood in the early 1900s. Located in the … Continue reading Germantown: A Community of Gottscheers

History of the Germantown Area

Long before South Dedham became Norwood, there was industry here supported by immigrants from many countries. One of the first industries was the Willard Everett Furniture factory, located approximately where … Continue reading History of the Germantown Area

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

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

House Styles Found in the Christian Hill Neighborhood

One might expect to find a large variety style of homes in any neighborhood in a New England town. After all the area was settled in the 1600s. At one … Continue reading House Styles Found in the Christian Hill Neighborhood

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

4 Bullard Street – The Francis M. Baker House

The Francis Baker house circa 1900. Francis M. Baker bought this home lot in 1857 from his father, Joel M. Baker, which was originally a portion of his house lot. … Continue reading 4 Bullard Street – The Francis M. Baker House

24 Cottage Street – The George B. Talbot/L. Waldo Bigelow House

The Talbot/Bigelow house, circa 1990 (Source: MACRIS database) George B. Talbot built this Italianate style house for himself around 1855. Originally this house was on the corner of Cottage and … Continue reading 24 Cottage Street – The George B. Talbot/L. Waldo Bigelow House