Art Deco

Is a style of visual arts that first appeared in France in the 1910s. It became a popular form of architecture design in the United States in the 1920 through the 1950s. Art Deco combined modern style with fine craftsmanship and rich materials. The use of bold geometric shapes and bright colors were the hallmarks of the style. In the 1930s a sleeker Art Deco style appeared, with smooth polished surfaces and curved shapes, and the use of new materials, such as plastic and stainless steel, were introduced into the design.

9 Vernon Street – Stuntzner’s Buick Store/shop

Guido A Stuntzner, a German immigrant came to Norwood in the late 1890s. Started a grocery business and by 1916, was selling Buicks. The first piece of land Stuntzner bought for a show room/garage, at #10 Cottage Street from LW Bigelow. This piece of property was originally part of the George B Talbot/L Waldo Bigelow house lot. Here Stuntzner erected in 1920 his new car dealership. The contractor was Walter Smith & Sons of Norwood. Several years later (possibly in the late 1930s/early 1940s) Stuntzner added the neighboring piece of property on #9 Vernon Street, and added this addition attached to the building on Cottage Street. It appears this new art deco building operated as a garage as there are five bay doors. In 1970, Stuntzner’s Norwood Buick moved to their new showroom and service center on Route 1.

            Elements of the Stuntzner Art Deco Style building:

• Brick façade with polished ceramic tile (now painted over)
  • Rectangular with angled entry

This structure continued to be used as a service garage. In the 1980s and 1990s Ray’s Car Care Center operated out of this building.  At one time a taxi business was located here. Today the bays have all been enclosed and the interior has been remodeled to accommodate a store or an office.

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