Top This Day in Norwood History Posts-May 2026
From Prohibition‑era liquor raids to championship seasons, neighborhood histories, and lives of service, May’s most‑read stories trace Norwood’s character across more than a century. Together they reveal a town that argues, builds, mourns, celebrates, and keeps coming back to the same streets, fields, and gathering places that define our shared civic memory.
Norwood Police Conduct Four Liquor Raids in 24 Hours-This Day in Norwood History-May 25, 1924
In the thick of Prohibition, Norwood police launched a rapid series of liquor raids that shook local businesses and backroom operations alike. Can you imagine the buzz around town as word spread that both a neighborhood store and a private home had been hit in the same day?
Deceased Norwood Soldier Keith Benson Honored With Corner Memorial-This Day in Norwood History-May 29, 2012
A quiet Norwood street corner becomes a place of remembrance as the town honors Keith Benson, a fallen soldier whose name now anchors a living memorial. How does a single intersection come to hold so much grief, pride, and gratitude all at once?
Norwood Chief Makes Arrest on Night Off-This Day in Norwood History-May 22, 1969
Even off duty, Norwood’s police chief couldn’t turn off his sense of responsibility when trouble crossed his path. Does anyone remember hearing the story of a chief who stepped in on his own time and still ended up in the headlines?
Norwood High Wins Bay State League Baseball Title-This Day in Norwood History-May 29, 1957
A hard‑fought season culminated in a Bay State League title that sent Norwood High fans into early‑summer celebration. Can you picture the stands, the final out, and the way that one championship game still echoes through local baseball memories?
Predictions for the Future of Norwood Hospital-This Day in Norwood History-1963
In 1963, local leaders and medical staff looked ahead and imagined what Norwood Hospital could become — a rare moment when a community tried to forecast its own healthcare future. It’s fascinating to see which hopes came true and which ideas now feel like time capsules from another era.
Norwood News Stand Staff Photo-This Day in Norwood History-May 15, 1958
A simple staff photo at a Norwood news stand captures the faces behind the counter who kept the town supplied with papers, magazines, and gossip. Do you recognize anyone who once handed you a newspaper, a comic book, or your first sports page?
A Legacy of Service: In Memoriam of Gary M. Lee-This Day in Norwood History-April 30, 2023
This tribute traces Gary Lee’s journey from Norwood High graduate to attorney, selectman, and community leader whose life was rooted deeply in town service. It’s a portrait of a neighbor whose faith, family, and public work left a lasting imprint on Norwood’s civic life.
Compact Homes in Fine Location in Vernon Park-This Day in Norwood History-May 28, 1938
A real‑estate ad for “compact homes” in Vernon Park reveals how Norwood once marketed its growing neighborhoods to new families. What did “fine location” mean in 1938—and how many of today’s residents are still living in those very houses?
Norwood Cinemas Shuts Down for Censorship Protest-This Day in Norwood History-May 4, 1993
When Norwood Cinemas went dark in protest over film censorship, a local movie house suddenly became the stage for a First Amendment fight. Do you remember when a night at the movies turned into a town‑wide debate about what should—and shouldn’t—be shown on screen?
Hockey Testimonial Is Gala Affair Honoring Blane Maus and Tom Clifford Sr.-This Day in Norwood History-May 6, 1964
A packed testimonial dinner celebrated two pillars of Norwood hockey, turning one evening into a tribute to decades of frozen‑rink memories. How many players and families can trace their love of the game back to the men honored that night?
Lewis’ Dining Room Reopens After Wartime Renovation-This Day in Norwood History-May 18, 1945
As World War II drew to a close, Lewis’ Dining Room reopened its doors, refreshed and ready to welcome a town eager for normalcy. Can you imagine the first post‑war meals shared there, and the conversations that filled those newly renovated rooms?
Allison Mahan’s Unstoppable Season-This Day in Norwood History-May 7, 1985
Allison Mahan’s standout season on the field turned box scores into legend and inspired a new generation of Norwood athletes. Do you remember watching her play—or hearing the stories about just how “unstoppable” she really was?
🗓️ In Memoriam: Clement A. Riley—This Day in Norwood History—May 31, 1988
Norwood reflected on the remarkable life of Clement A. Riley, a civic leader whose decades of service shaped both the town and the Commonwealth.
Norwood’s Neighborhoods-This Day in Norwood History-Ongoing Series
This evolving series walks block by block through Norwood’s streets, tracing how each neighborhood grew, changed, and built its own identity. It’s the kind of project that makes you see familiar corners differently—and maybe look up your own street with fresh eyes.
Police Force Reaches Out to Town-This Day in Norwood History-May 17, 1992
In the early 1990s, Norwood’s police department made a deliberate effort to connect with residents beyond emergency calls and traffic stops. How did community policing look back then—and what parts of that outreach still shape relationships today?
Mustangs Clinch at Least a Share of BSL Title With 8–4 Win Over Natick-This Day in Norwood History-May 19, 1981
An 8–4 victory over Natick pushed the Norwood Mustangs to the brink of Bay State League glory and sent fans home buzzing. Do you remember the players, the crowd, or the feeling that the whole town was riding every pitch?
Norwood’s Art Gulla Stepping Down After Two Decades-This Day in Norwood History-May 28, 1971
After twenty years in a key role, Art Gulla’s decision to step down marked the end of an era in Norwood sports and civic life. What does it mean when a familiar figure who’s always “just been there” finally hands over the reins?
This Day in Norwood History-May 3, Many Years
This multi‑year roundup gathers moments from different May 3rds—big and small—that together sketch a cross‑section of Norwood life. It’s like flipping through a time‑lapse calendar, watching the same date light up in different decades.
This Day in Norwood History-May 12, 1965
A young Richie Hebner takes center stage in this snapshot of Norwood’s baseball past, long before his name became widely known. How often does a local box score quietly hint at a much bigger career to come?
MSHCA Hall Calls for Clifford-This Day in Norwood History-May 10, 2013
When the Massachusetts State Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame came calling for Clifford, it was as much a Norwood story as a personal honor. This piece traces how years of dedication behind the bench turned into a legacy worthy of the hall.
Talk of the Town: May 11, 1964-This Day in Norwood History-May 11, 1964
“Talk of the Town” captures the everyday buzz of 1964 Norwood—small notices, local characters, and the kind of news that never makes the big papers. Do you recognize the rhythms of your own life in these little items from another era?
Norwood Airport Aerial View, Then and Now (1953)-This Day in Norwood History-1953
An aerial photograph from 1953 shows Norwood Airport surrounded by open land, long before later development filled in the gaps. It’s a striking before‑and‑after that invites you to imagine the roar of early planes over fields that look almost rural.
From moonshine raids to ballfield triumphs, corner memorials, and changing streetscapes, these top posts show how Norwood’s past is never just “back then”—it’s woven into the places we still walk, drive, and gather today. As you explore these stories, you’re not just reading history; you’re reconnecting with the people and moments that continue to shape the town’s identity, one day—and one memory—at a time.
Top Stories of 2026
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Ground Broken Yesterday For New Emmanuel Lutheran Church-This Day in Norwood History-April 15, 1938
Harry Korslund Designs Beautiful Colonial Edifice On Tuesday night plans submitted by Harry F. Korslund, architect, for a new Emmanuel Lutheran Church, were accepted by the parish. The final acceptance of plans and the breaking ground on the lot next to the parsonage on Berwick Road yesterday, concludes years of planning for the new edifice.…
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Wonder Bar at Norwood Hotel To Open Saturday-This Day In Norwood History-March 27, 1937
Exact Copy of Bar on the S. S. Queen Mary An outstanding feature of interest is the new wonder bar at the Norwood Hotel which will be an exact copy of the bar on the S.S. Queen Mary. Britain’s world-beating liner, which fact in itself is assurance that the bar will be the latest in…
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Tales of Tyot-Colonial School Masters of Tiot-This Day in Norwood History-February 12, 1935
The Trail of Norwood’s School System from 1738 to the Revolution By WIN EVERETT Eight years after the original Proprietors of Dedham pushed their canoes ashore on the bank of the Charles opposite the present boathouse of the Dedham Canoe Club, the citizens voted to set up a free public school to be maintained by…
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“Female Fagin” Found Guilty In Dedham-This Day in Norwood History-February 10, 1935
Charge Woman Induced Girl to Steal Keys From Teachers So She Could Rob Homes DEDHAM, Feb 10 In a courtroom packed with Norwood citizens, Mrs. Julia Portella, 25, mother of a 14-months-old child, today was branded by police as a “female Fagin.” and found guilty by Judge E. Dwight Fullerton on charges of breaking and…
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Norwood Votes $55,000 For School Addition-This Day In Norwood History-April 2, 1931
02 Apr 1931, Thu The Boston Globe April 2, 1931 – At a special town meeting in the Junior High School last evening, the residents voted to appropriate $55,000 for an addition to the senior high school building. The following committee was appointed: Gladwin M. Mead, John J Conley, Edward H. Allen, Thomas H. Hayden…
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Civic Center, Gift Of George F. Willett, Destroyed By $100,000 Fire At Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-April 21, 1930
Four Buildings Belonging to Association Destroyed in Blaze of Suspicious Origin —Hospital Nearby Threatened For Time NORWOOD, April 21—Four of the $175,000 group of six buildings presented the Norwood Civic Association for $1 by George F. Willett, Norwood’s famous ex-millionaire, were destroyed by a fire of suspicious Origin at 3:45 this afternoon, which for a…
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George Willett To Tell How He Lost His Fortune-This Day In Norwood History-April 7, 1930
Former Millionaire to Speak at Public Meeting in Norwood on Last 12 Years of His Life NORWOOD, April 7 — At a public meeting in Everett Hall, Civic Building, tomorrow evening, George F. Willett will tell the history of the last 12 years of his life. He will tell of his change from a millionaire…
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100 Boys Quit Norwood Gym As Burning Roof Collapses-This Day In Norwood History-February 26, 1924
$15,000 Blaze Damages Community Center of Civic Association—Chimney Blamed NORWOOD, Feb 26 — A serious fire broke out about 11 o’clock today in the building of the Norwood Civic Association. It was due to a defective chimney and the roof was soon burned away, While it was on fire a class of 100 boys was…
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Winslow Brothers & Smith Co, Pioneer Sheepskin Tannery, Was Organized in 1776-This Day In Norwood History-April 6, 1922
Firm Has Had Rapid Growth During Last 25 Years—Plants at Norwood, Mass. Few manufacturing firms actively engaged in business today can date the organization of the business back to the birth of the United States. There is one, however, a well-known tanning firm, Winslow Brothers & Smith Co., with large plants at Norwood, Mass., a…
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New Modern Dairy Barn at Prospect Ridge Farm-This Day In Norwood History-April 4, 1915
LATEST WORD IN COW BARNS Hon Frank A. Fales of Norwood Has a Structure Just Completed With an Efficient Equipment NORWOOD —Hon Frank A. Fales has just had completed for his herd of prize-winning cattle at Prospect Ridge Farm here a new dairy barn which is the last word in the housing of cows. It…
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