Top Posts-March 2026

Melville Avenue – A Place Called Home

Melville Avenue is a dead end street, with approximately ten houses on it. At the very end is the only triple-decker in Swedeville – John Wiik built it in 1915. … Continue reading Melville Avenue – A Place Called Home
The People Who Settled Swedeville

Initially, Swedeville appears to have been a multi-ethnic neighborhood; composed of German, Irish, Lithuanian, New England/Canadian, as well as families from Scandinavian countries all lived there. It is highly … Continue reading The People Who Settled Swedeville
Poll-Favorite “This Day In Norwood History” Article of January 2023

We want to know- what was your favorite story this month? Here are the top posts for January 2023: Beyond The Train Tracks at the End of Cedar Street January … Continue reading Poll-Favorite “This Day In Norwood History” Article of January 2023
Development of the Swedeville Area

When Norwood was established in 1872, the area around Chapel Street was undeveloped land. George S. Winslow had a large house on the Walpole Street end and John M. Robbins … Continue reading Development of the Swedeville Area
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
Italianate

The Italianate style was prevalent from 1840 to 1880, and like the Greek Revival, frequently has pedimented gables on columns at the front entry and is defined by simple but … Continue reading Italianate
99 Day Street – The James A. Hartshorn House

This house Italianate style with stick style elements was built by merchant, James A. Hartshorn around 1881. Originally this house lot was part of Tyler Thayer house lot. Thayer’s lot … Continue reading 99 Day Street – The James A. Hartshorn House
75 Day Street – The Joseph & Hannah (Rhoades) Day House

Joseph Day had Tyler Thayer build this Italianate style house in 1855 for him and his family. The house can be seen in 1858, 1876 & 1888 maps. The house … Continue reading 75 Day Street – The Joseph & Hannah (Rhoades) Day House
12 Vernon Street – The Joel Metcalf Baker House

Joel M. Baker bought this house lot in 1854 from Joseph Day. It contained about a third of an acre and ran from Washington Street up the hill to Bullard … Continue reading 12 Vernon Street – The Joel Metcalf Baker House
4 Bullard Street – The Francis M. Baker House

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