Norwood

Historic Norwood is one of the oldest communities in Massachusetts. Europeans came to Norwood from Dedham in the late 17th century, and thus established one of the state's nicest communities. Ezra Morse came and settled the beautiful, bountiful land that would one day become Norwood back in 1678, and in the early days Norwood became a thriving center of agriculture.

The swift Neponset River made early Norwood attractive to these early pioneers. The Neponset River was to become the driving force for Norwood's early development, becoming a mainstay of the town throughout the next two centuries. Known officially as the second parish of Dedham, most inhabitants of early Norwood referred to their village by its Indian name, Tiot. The population grew larger through the 18th century, and names such as Tiot, Morse Village, and Ellis distinguished the various population centers within the area known as South Dedham.

On February 13, 1872 Norwood became a town of Norfolk County in its own right when the Act of Incorporation was approved by the General Court. At that time, 1,825 people lived within its area of 10.48 square miles. Spurred by its status as a separate town, Norwood was launched into a quick growth pattern that turned this small village into a thriving Community.

Between the years 1872 and 1922, industry replaced agriculture as the economic base of the Community, and Norwood moved quickly with the modern times of machinery. Many of Norwood's industries were world-famous for their products. Attracted by the rise of new industry, various immigrants moved came to Norwood, and the population increased to over 12,600. This influx of immigrants has placed Norwood among the most culturally diverse towns of its size and type in all of New England.

Economic and physical expansion culminated in the "Town Manager" form of government in 1914 as a more effective way to administer the growing town. Industrial development continued in Norwood through the mid-20th century, and the town stayed up with the world's quickly-moving modern and technological pace. After World War II, a gradual shift to high-tech industry began. Major corporations have found Norwood's proximity to Boston and access to major east coast population centers attractive for business, making Norwood especially attractive to residents. To learn more about the rich history of Norwood, and to see some historic exhibits, visit the F. Holland Day House & Norwood History Museum.

This is a highly desirable, but affordable Community to call home, populated by almost 30,000 (at the 2000 census) ordinary people. Two thousand and seven hundred people are found per square mile, according to population density. As of 2000, the median income for a household in Norwood was over fifty-eight thousand, and more than seventy thousand was the median income for a family.

Family is definitely important in Norwood, which boasts five quality public elementary schools, Coakley Middle School, and Norwood Senior High School (NHS). At the High School, the blue and gold Mustangs race for victory in football, baseball, soccer, basketball, field hockey, tennis, hockey, wrestling, volleyball, baseball, ice hockey, and track and field enough physical activity to keep any teenager occupied!

The High School in Norwood is also home to one of the finest musical programs in the whole country, and has been recognized in this field for more than forty years. The string orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz band, marching band, madrigal choir, and various chorus classes let students flex their musical skills in any instrumentation, even voice. NHS's Jazz Ensemble took home the National High School Championship in 2000, further cementing this school as an auditory achiever. The school's theater department is also very active, so students will have many different create pursuits to try.

Students wising to pursue secondary education even within the boundaries of Norwood will have no trouble. Advanced automotive training is available at the new Universal Technical Institute, just built in 2005. The campus is conveniently located just one mile away from the Boston Providence Pike, easy to get to for any resident of Norwood. Norwood's Fine Mortuary College provides not only an institute of learning, but a unique one-room museum that exhibits antique embalming tables and ancient wooden coffins. Going somewhere? Drive right over to the Norwood Memorial Airport, which has convenient highway access. For a little light reading, you might want to explore the Morrill Memorial Library.

And, when summer comes to Norwood, everyone in the family can enjoy wonderful Sunday evening summer concerts. You'll find more than one hundred and thirty restaurants in Norwood and surrounding areas, offering everything in cuisine from seafood and sushi to fine dining and family establishments.

When you want to find a town that has it all, including friendly neighborhoods and excellent public education, Norwood has it all.