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Table
of Contents
ForewordNorwood's Centennial Committee
James SymondsNorwood Street Survey
- How Norwood Received Its Name
History of the Norwood-Norfolk Central School System
- by Marcia Eggleston
From North Potsdam to Norwood, NY 13668
It is Better to Light One Candle ---
Churches and Affiliated Organizations
- St. Andrew's Catholic Church
St. Andrew's Altar Rosary Society, by Marlene Sullivan
Court Sancta Maria # 715, by Carol Plonka
Msgr. Francis J. Maguire Council 2309 Knights of Columbus
- by Marcia Murray
The Norwood Volunteer Fire Department
A Brief Chronology of the Potsdam Rescue Squad
- and the Growth into the Norwood Community
by R. Cota
- by Leo E. Hickey
- by Bob Haggett, Manager
The Norwood Historical Association
- by Joseph Swan
Norwood Village Green Concert Series
- by Joseph Liotta
The E.J. Wilkins Chapter, Order of DeMolay
- by Duane and David Shoen
Lyra Chapter #230, Order of the Eastern Star
- by Mrs. Clark Bowhall
Clark-Robinson Post #68, Norwood American Legion
Luther Priest Women's Relief Corps 216
Clark-Robinson American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68
- by Historian Helen Deugaw
- by James H. McFaddin
List of Illustrations
Aerial View of Norwood (see front cover)
Foreword
A publication such as this cannot give a detailed story on any subject. Of necessity each account must be very brief. Additional information may be found in the Norwood Museum in any one of a number of illustrated volumes compiled over the past years.
Norwood began in the early 1800 's with the arrival of New England farmers, and with the coming of the railroads in the 1850 's, progressed to become a railroad center and industrial village surrounded by many out lying prosperous farms. This pattern of living continued into the first quarter of this century when the increased use of the automobile spelled doom for the railroads and other factors lead to the closing of the mills.
The Village of Norwood has survived an earthquake, severe fires, floods and mild depression but recovered to become a friendly residential village. Men and women make their homes here and commute to their places of work in area schools, hospitals, offices, stores and a variety of manufacturing establishments.
We are proud of Norwood 's history and confident of its future.
- Susan C. Lyman, Municipal Historian, 1995
The year 1972, marked Norwood's hundredth birthday, an event marked with a July Fourth three day week-end of special events to observe this once in a hundred years occasion. Norwood's first local history booklet, The Story of Norwood, N. Y, was published and now, in 1995, this updated version is printed.
Norwood artist Sherwood Smith hosted the first Craft Fair to be held in Northern New York when some 20 artisans accepted his invitation to demonstrate their skills and exhibit their handiwork. Nearly 2,000 persons visited the Norwood Grade School to see the glassblower, leather worker, doll worker and others at work at their art.
All events planned to commemorate the Centennial Year were arranged by Richard L. French and his committee, each a delegate from the churches, civic, social groups, clubs and organizations of the village. They were: Catherine Logan, Lloyd Stanford, Carolyn Trimm, Roy Trimm, Frank Penny, Marjorie Walsh, Thomas Roth, Wilma Ginn, Julian and Fannie Ruger, Donna LaRue, Louise F. Chase, Ted Jay, Robert Frost, Claire Ginn, Earl K. Drew, Maurice Fullerton, Laura Roberts, Eleanor Royce, Helen Regan, Claire Dockum, E.D. Stowell Sr., Arch C. Royce, Mildred G. Miner, Roscoe Bowhall, Jeanne A. Nicholson, Elizabeth T. Bancroft, Royal J. Lyman, Janine McDonald, Brenda Zagrobelny, Sister Jane Frances and the sisters of St. Joseph, Marjorie Bowhall, Laura Phalen, Marion N. Cranston, Peter Chatell, Village Historian Susan Lyman.
Those who have assisted in this update are noted with their by-line. Thank you to the St. Lawrence County Historical Association for the use of their computer resources in publishing this 1995 edition.
Friday, June 30, 1972
7 p.m. - Opening ceremonies; Ice cream social - What Cheer Lodge #689 F. &A.M. and Lyra Chapter #230 0.E.S.; Concert: Norwood Fire Department Band and the Tri-Town Singers
Saturday, July 1, 1972
1 0 a.m. - Opening of the traditional Craft Fair at the Norwood Elementary School, - Sherwood Smith, Chairman. N.Y.S. Council on the Arts; Sponsors.
I p.m. - Museum opens, Chicken Barbecue at St. Philip's Church, and Smorgasbord at K. of C. Hall by American Legion and Auxiliary
2 p.m. - Craft Fair open until 4:30
3 p.m. - Antique car show with parade & short train rides for children
Saturday Evening
Alumni Dance at the American Legion Post 9 p.m. - ?
Sunday July 2, 1972
Morning - Long Table, Hosted by St. Andrew's church organizations Noon - Craft Fair open until 2:30 p.m.
Monday July 3, 1972
Afternoon - Open House: Norwood Library and Museum, Judging of Brothers of the Brush, and Dedication of Norwood water pollution control plant
7:30 p.m. - Tri-Town singers concert at Municipal Building
8:30 p.m. - Block Dance by the Norwood "Brass Firemen"
Tuesday July 4, 1972
Annual Norwood Fire Department Celebration with joint parade
All of what is now Norwood was once Indian country, a part of a vast hunting and fishing territory of rival Indian tribes, the Adirondacks and Iroquois being the chief contenders. The Raquette River was full of fish and the forests full of game.
By 1650 the Iroquois had driven the Adirondacks into Canada and the Mohawks, one of the Iroquois tribes, claimed northern New York as their territory, their headquarters were in the Mohawk Valley. The profusion of Indian pottery, clay pipes and other artifacts uncovered on the Dublin Road Haggett farm are certain indication that an Indian village was once situated on the ridge sloping down to the river. Local legend calls this village Ka-na-ta-seke, meaning New Village, and tells of final skirmishes of the French and Indian War taking place there. However an anthropologist from an area college dates the village as much earlier.
After the four "French and English Wars" Great Britain, represented by the Province of New York, was the owner of northern New York. The American Revolution drove the British out and left the State of New York in possession of hundreds of thousands of acres of land "in the wilderness" unknown, unsurveyed and unsettled, with an English possession, Canada, just across the St. Lawrence River.
Deeming it advisable to get the land sold and settled as quickly as possible, a land sale was held in New York City in 1787, even before Washington became president, and almost the whole area went to one man, Alexander Macomb. He made two large land purchases, one in 1787 and the other in 1792, and through purchase and private agreements acquired title to the Ten Towns already established by New York State as well as most of Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis and part of Oswego Counties.
The Ten Towns, each ten miles square, involved in Macomb's original purchase were Louisville, Stockholm, Potsdam, Madrid, Lisbon, Canton, Dekalb, Oswegatchie, Hague (Morristown) and Chambray (Gouverneur).
Mr. Macomb had over extended his resources and was compelled to call on wealthy New York City men, about 25 of them, to help him out. One of these men, William Constable, in 1792 bought Potsdam, Madrid, part of Louisville and part of Stockholm for 1500 English pounds and he immediately began to sell the land, including the Town of Potsdam, in smaller size tracts. A wealthy and large New York City family, the Clarksons, bought most of Potsdam. A strip along the Potsdam-Madrid Town line had been divided in two parts and sold the west part to the Ogdens and the east part which includes a small portion of Norwood to Charles LeRoux. The boundary between the Clarkson and LeRoux Tracts ran almost to the northwest corner of River Street and in a south westerly and north easterly direction across Bernard Avenue, Prospect Street almost to the Main Street end and across North Main Street to the Norfolk Town Line.
The Clarksons in turn began to sell their big holdings. One of the purchasers was Benjamin G. Baldwin who bought just south of the Clarkson-LeRoux Tracts in a series of six good size purchases.
LeRoux also sold smaller tracts; one purchaser was James Symonds, ancestor of Albert Simonds, Mildred Wells Reynolds and Mary Hall Seeley of Norwood. Mr. Symonds' purchase included some of River Street, most of Prospect St. and North Main Street. His later land holdings were bounded by Bicknell, Morgan and South Main Streets.Mr. Baldwin planned a village to be situated on the Raquette River with its potential for ample water power for mills and industry to support the village. His careful planning for the little hamlet he named Racquetteville is shown by his 1856 map which clearly defines all his lots as well as those of James Symonds and the Water Company, the school plot and the village green.
With his plan firmly outlined and the Northern Railroad running through his dream village, largely because of his generous gift of land for a right of way and depot and the prospect of a railroad being built from Watertown to Potsdam, Mr. Baldwin, lawyer, landowner, village planner and public spirited citizen, was ready to sell building lots to those wishing to establish their homes in what promised to become a thriving community.
Norwood was founded on the farmland and holdings of three men, James Symonds, Benjamin G. Baldwin, who sold lots and larger holdings east of the Raquette River, and Charles McCarty whose farm lay west of the river. These three men formed the Racquetteville Water Company to develop the waterpower and sell house lots along the river.
Perhaps one reason for the friendly feeling which has always existed between the churches of the village stems from these men, Symonds, a Methodist, Baldwin, a Congregationalist, and McCarty, a Catholic, a truly ecumenical founding.
James Symonds was born in Burlington, Vermont, Aug. 8, 1790. He was married to Hannah Glass of Litchfield, Conn. on June 4, 1816. The young couple migrated to the northern New York wilderness in 1816 and built a log farmhouse just west of Harrison Street. They became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, James, Mahala, (who was responsible for the founding of the Methodist Society in Norwood) Judson, Royal, (whose wife joined Mahala in holding prayer meetings as early as 1848) Lydia, John and Chester.
The sons became millwrights and helped build many of the mills in the community. Chester worked on the building of the 1852 dam. In later years several of the sons went to Grand Rapids, Mich. to make their homes. Mahala married Harry Chittenden who built the brick house at 49 North Main Street.
When Mr. Symonds died in 1862, Mr. Chittenden was one of the executors of his estate.
Shortly before his death Mr. Symonds deeded a plot of land on Prospect Street for the building of the Methodist Church.
Hannah Symonds died June 2, 1855 at the age of 64 and Mr. Symonds died May 6, 1862 at the age of 71. Both are buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Norwood.
Data on Charles McCarty is not readily available. His farm bordered on the west side of the Raquette River and along the side of "McCarty Hill" and along both sides of McCarty Road. The 1865 map locates his farm as being on "Pig Street."
His 1852 purchase of a business block on "Plank Road" (Main Street) was one of the first land sales, the site is now occupied by the Community Bank, NA. He was one of the three men who formed and ran the Water Company.
He died Feb. 6, 1858 but both his birth date and place of burial is unknown. Benjamin G. Baldwin, then St. Lawrence County Clerk, was named as executor of the McCarty estate.
His surviving brothers and sisters were Owen, Mary, Calvin, Ellen and Jeremiah who lived in Cork, Ireland. A cousin Calvin is also named.
Owen received the business block, the interest in the Water Company and some farmland. In 1865, Baldwin paid $2332.50 for the Water Company interest and farmland along both sides of McCarty Road.
The name "McCarty Road" was changed to Ridge Street by the Norwood Village Board on May 7, 1872.
Benjamin Gordon Baldwin was born in Bradford, Vt., May 13, 1806, the eighth of eleven children born to Capt. Benjamin and Mehitable Gordon Baldwin. His father was a farmer, surveyor, justice of the peace and owner of mills.
Among young Benjamin's progenitors with large families were Henry and Phebe Richardson Benjamin of Woburn (1630) with 11 children; Benjamin and Hannah Baldwin, 8 children; Benjamin and Elizabeth Longbottom Baldwin, 5 children and Benjamin and Lydia Peters Baldwin, 9 children.
Lydia was a midwife and often rode off into the night to help a new life into the world. She practiced until 80 years of age and delivered 926 babies including 10 sets of twins, losing only one mother and few babies.
The Benjamin Baldwins of each generation moved, making new hamlets in the unsettled parts of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and finally in the most northern part of northern New York.
The Norwood home of Benjamin G. Baldwin
As a young boy Benjamin Gordon Baldwin suffered a serious accident which resulted in the permanent crippling of his foot. This helped to determine his choice of a sedentary career in law. He was tutored for admission to Dartmouth, was graduated in 1827 at the age of 20. He taught briefly, then spent a few months in the law office of Judge Jermain in White Creek near Cambridge, N.Y. In 1828, he came to the Potsdam office of Horace Alien, a widely known lawyer. He was the pupil and later the partner of Judge Alien who doubtless aided his gifted pupil in his start on a successful career in both law and public service.
He married Mary Ann Lamphier of Alstead, NH, Aug. 2, 1833,soon after his admission to the bar. Mary Ann died Oct. 2, 1835. Two years later Benjamin married her older sister, Emeline, the familiar Emeline of Baldwin deeds. She outlived her husband by 12 years. She died June 20, 1885. They had no children but large families of relatives, some of them residing with the Baldwins.
The Lamphier sisters came from a family as distinguished as the Baldwins, the Wellingtons of Charleston, Mass. Roger Wellington married the daughter of Dr. Richard Palgrave and their son, Palgrave Wellington, was Miss Lamphier' s grandfather. Mr. Palgrave, a 1770 Harvard graduate, married Abigail Sparhawk Sewell. Several of their daughters and granddaughters had connections with Parishville, Potsdam or Norwood history.
Mr. Baldwin' s home for 27 years was in Potsdam on the corner of Depot and Market Streets. He gave a strip of land off his long lot to make Depot Street, his short lot ran to the early burial ground on Willow Street.
He served as President of the Village of Potsdam in 1841, he was interested in the mills on Fall Island and as early as 1836 began investing in Clarkson lands at the north east corner of the town. The last of his six purchases, made in 1843, brought his holdings up to 400 acres for which he had paid a total of $2726.73. These acres were bounded on the north by the Clarkson-LeRoux line, on the east by the Norfolk Town line, on the south by the flats near the present day Lobster House and on the west by the Raquette River, excluding a large rectangle of land owned by James Symonds.
Even though Racquetteville was not in existence, in 1846 he induced the Northern Railroad to run their tracks through the unsettled area by giving a right of way over his farm in addition to 15 acres of land for a depot. When the first train went through Racquetteville in the fall of 1850, Mr. Baldwin had erected a hotel, a business block which housed the station agent's office he was the station agent and later the telegraph office and post office.
Mr. Baldwin was a director of the Plank Road from Potsdam, a toll road with three tollhouses, and the toll road to Norfolk. He began laying out lots, had an official survey made, formed the Racquetteville Water Company, served as postmaster, sold a large holding of 217 acres (the Bartlett farm) for $5728.50 and during the 1850's sold many house lots.
In 1847 he had been the first elected surrogate under the 1846 New York constitution, serving until Nov. 1, 1855 when he was elected County clerk. At that time he left Potsdam, moved to Canton, then on Jan. 1, 1859 moved officially to Racquetteville, already a flourishing hamlet. He was involved with the Mill Branch Railroad, buying and selling house lots, serving in public office as justice of the peace, he was supervisor of the Town of Potsdam, and later, in 1871, was elected the first president of the newly incorporated Village of Potsdam Junction.
About 1861 he had the handsome Raymondville Italianate bracketed brick "mansion" built on the cedar knell adjacent to his farmhouse, later owned by Lawrence Smith. In the short decade before his death, Mr. B Baldwin must have enjoyed his lovely home and the Fletcher family who succeeded the Baldwin ownership have felt ever grateful to him for its substantialness and beauty.
Mr. Baldwin continued to buy and sell property, some in Norfolk and some in Stockholm. He served two years as Referee in Bankruptcy. He deeded the park to the village in 1872, he paid the Stiles mortgage on the new Riverside Cemetery, he was active in the Congregational Church and did business until a few days before his death Jan. 21, 1873. He was not yet 67 years of age.
The newspaper notices of his death record the grief of the village.
He had bought a wilderness farm in 1836-42, and in some 35 years had turned it into a well planned incorporated village with railroads, hotels, churches, a school, businesses and homes.
Mr. Baldwin, Mary Ann, Emeline and members of their family, lie in Riverside Cemetery, Norwood.
Mr. Baldwin's will ends in a characteristic way - giving the residue of his estate, if any, to "the president and trustees of the Village of Potsdam Junction to be used in such way as they may think best to promote the cause of education and good morals in said village."
One hundred years ago the streets in this community, as in all other villages, were of dirt and people walked either on the edge of the roadway or on paths. At the present time the Incorporated Village of Norwood maintains more than 13 miles of streets in addition to the sidewalks. Snow removal is done by huge trucks fitted with large plows and wings. A special vehicle was purchased sometime ago for sidewalk snow removal.
In the early days each lot owner was responsible for the building and maintaining of walks along his land.
A few months after the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Potsdam Junction the lot owners on the north side of Junction (Mechanic) Street and the proprietors of the famous Whitney House were told to build sidewalks. Specifications were given and included the use of 3 good hemlock planks 1 foot wide and 4 inches thick so laid as to make a walk 5-6 feet wide. A walk was apparently laid from the residence-office of Dr. Truman Pease, now the Norwood Museum, to the post office after residents petitioned the Board. Lot owners on Ashley and Prospect were ordered to remove obstructions from their streets and build walks. One Prospect Street man was told to repair the portion of Prospect Street he had plowed up and restore it to as "good a condition as when he commenced."Sidewalk construction was continuing in 1889 when walks were laid on the south side on Mechanic Street and the west side of Leonard Street. A few years later someone tore up portions of the Mechanic Street walks during the night, the guilty party was never apprehended and the evidence was probably burned, wood was used for cooking and heating in those days.
The first indication of village snow removal came in 1890 when the Board put $200 in the budget for that purpose. By 1899 the estimated expenditure for streets, highways and walks had risen to $2250 but the increase was due in part to the 1895 decision of the village to be responsible for construction, repair and maintenance of all walks within the corporation.
Norwood Street Survey - From Ledger In Norwood Village Clerk's OfficeRailroad St.: opened June 17, 1852, part discontinued May 22, 1867
Bicknell St.: opened June 25, 1853
McCarthy Road (changed to Ridge St. May 7, 1872): opened June 25, 1853
River St.: opened Dec. 23, 1853
Park St.: opened Feb. 1853 (surveyed to run to the river, declared abandoned May 22, 1867)
Spring St.: opened Dec. 1853
Durrell St. (changed to Whitney St., Feb. 26, 1873): opened Dec. 24, 1854
Morgan St.: opened Dec. 18, 1855
Prospect St.: opened Dec. 18, 1855
Extension of Forest Morgan Road: Commissioner of Highway paid Mr. Symonds $15.00 on Apr.24, 1860 to extend public highway from easterly extension of Lamb St., established as a public road Feb. 6, 1872; changed to Bicknell St. Feb. 26, 1873
Ashley St.: opened Dec. 1, 1863, established as public street Feb. 6, 1872
Park Ave.: opened Jan. 1864, established as public street Feb. 6, 1872
Extension of Railroad Ave.: opened Aug. 1, 1864 became public street Feb. 6, 1872
Junction St.: opened July 3, 1866 (changed to Railroad St. Apr. 30, 1872 and to Mechanic St. Feb. 26, 1873; part of road east of Main St.)
Lamb St.: opened June 27, 1866; changed to Bicknell St. Feb. 26, 1873
Leonard St.: opened June 27, 1866
Mill Branch Lane: opened July 30, 1868; changed to Spruce St. Apr. 7, 1873
Howe Road: opened Dec. 19, 1868; changed to Cedar St. Feb. 26, 1873
Road from Potsdam Junction to Norfolk line: opened Dec. 19, 1868, established as a public street Feb. 6, 1872; named Main St. Apr. 30, 1872
Elm St.: opened Apr. 27, 1869
Depot St.: opened Sept. 14, 1869
Whitney St.: opened Apr. 27, 1870
Stone Road: opened Aug. 12, 1850; changed to Main St. Apr. 30, 1872
Yale St.: opened May 7, 1872
Town Line St.: opened Apr. 11, 1871
Pine St.: opened June 4, 1872, part at right angle to Depot St. change to Lang Feb.26, 1873
Maple St.: opened July 8, 1877 (named Feb. 26, 1873)
High, Blanchard, and Walnut St.: opened Aug. 5, 1874
Baldwin Ave.: established as a public street June 7, 1893
Maiden Lane: opened Mar. 5, 1883, changed to Pleasant Street
LaFayette St.
Cottage St.
Grove St.
Harrison St.
Clark St.
Morton St.
Rupert Palmer Lane
Noreen Drive
Circle Drive
James Liebfred Drive: named 1994
Sports Ave.
Cemetery Road
Lake Shore Drive - formerly part of Cemetery Road
Woodward Drive
Railroad Ave.
Bernard Ave.: changed from Railroad St. 1940 to honor PFC Bernard Jarvis, first Norwood man to be killed in World War II
Bank Street
Orchard St.
Felton St.
Prairie St.
Crescent Drive
Dry Bridge Road
Riverside Drive
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The Racquetteville Water Company 1862-1872
One of Mr. Baldwin's first projects was to develop the waterpower on the Raquette River and establish mills. He had an added factor, a branch railroad from the main line to the site of the mills. He formed a company, the Racquetteville Water Company. His first partner was Dennis Mould who soon transferred his interest to James Symonds. Charles McCarty, a landholder on the west side of the river, became affiliated with the Company.
There were various informal and formal agreements but according to the terms of the final one made November 14, 1854 and recorded January 1, 1856, Baldwin "put in" 17 1/2 acres of land for a one-half interest; Symonds put in 5 acres of land at the north end of River Street through to Prospect Street along the river for a quarter interest and Charles McCarty put in 7 or 8 acres of land along the west river bank for a quarter interest.
The Company's projects included the Spring Street bridge planned to replace an earlier bridge which crossed from Stiles (Cemetery) Road to Pig Street, the construction of a dam, the railroad, lanes and alleys, mills, piling grounds for lumber as well as some 35 house lots on Spring, River, Park and Ashley Streets.
Following the death of Charles McCarty in 1858 and Symonds in 1862, Mr. Baldwin cleared the necessary legal affairs and became the sole owner of the Company in 1866.
Amable (Mab) Valley came into possession of all the unsold lots on the east shore and in 1872, Wait Reynolds was deeded all the mill holdings and water rights. Mr. Baldwin was out of the Water Company but still owned some of the McCarty farmland on the west side of the river. He laid out house lots and streets, some on High Street remained unsold at the time of this death in 1873.
Back to Table of Contents The hamlet of Racquetteville was growing by leaps and bounds when, in 1850, a post office, North Potsdam, was established. The little community boasted three hotels, the Northern Railroad with another, the R. W. & O., projected, a dam was being built to create water power for the mills which were springing up but no house lots had been sold.
Just 21 years later, a census taken in August 1871 showed a population of 1177. The following month a resolution and petition for incorporation was noted and a week later ten printed notices were posted in public places within the territory to be incorporated giving notice to the freeholders that an election was to be held on the proposal to incorporate as the Village of Potsdam Junction. The Village was to be part of the mile square lots No. 9 and No. 10 of the Clarkson and LeRoux Tracts in the Town of Potsdam and parts of the mile square lots No. 10 and No. 20 in the Town of Norfolk as surveyed by S.J. Farnsworth in January 1869.
October 21, 1871 was set for the election with the polls to be in the schoolhouse and open from l0a.m.until 3p.m. Supervisor of the Town of Potsdam E.W. Foster and Town Clerk Harvey N. Reedway were in attendance and reported that of the 106 ballots cast 99 were yes" and 7 "no."
November 6, 1871 Mr. Foster gave notice of the first election of village officers for the Village of Potsdam Junction to be held in the schoolhouse December 2, 1871 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A village president, three trustees, a treasurer and a collector were to be elected.
According to the certificate of election Benjamin G. Baldwin received 57 of the 58 ballots cast. 174 votes were cast for trustees with Wait Reynolds receiving 57, Ora Porter, 55 and Hezikiah Hall 56. Norman Ashley was elected treasurer by a 56-1 vote. The office of collector went to F. Thayer who received 33 of the 5 7 votes cast. C.N. Bixby was appointed clerk.
The first official meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Potsdam Junction was held January 16,1872. At that meeting the clerk was instructed to obtain a book and record all streets and highways.
Two months later in his first annual report President Baldwin estimated the expenditures would be $200.00.
The chief executive officer was known as village president until 1928 when the title was changed to mayor.
A complete listing of all village officials is in the Norwood Museum but, regretfully, lack of space permits mention of mayors only: 1872, Benjamin G. Baldwin; 1873-74, Norman Ashley; 1875-76, Andrew M.H. Pearson; 1877-1882, Moses F. Collins; 1883, Loren R. Ashley; 1884-85, Moses F. Collins- 1886-88, Geo. W. Richards; 1889- 90, A.M.H. Pearson; 1891-94, Henry Ashley; 1895, Fred G. Partridge; 1896-98, Frank L. Smith; 1899, Erastus F. Hall; 1900, Sherman A. Drew; 1901-03, Rollin D. Reed; 1904-06, Sherman A. Drew; 1907-09, George Harris- 1910-12, Sherman A. Drew; 1913, T.J. Turner; 1914- 15, W.B. Hart; 1916-18, F.R. Smith; 1919, W.W. Dearth- 1920-22, E.E. Wright; 1923-24, Frank S. Jenkins; 1925, AL. Dailey; 1926-27, W.D. Fuller- 1928, H.W. Martin; 1929-34, Leo R. Donovan- 193 5-37, Harry L. Farrner- 193 8, C.W. Jenner, acting mayor; 1941, Roscoe C. Bowhall; 1942, C.W. Jenner, acting mayor- 1943-45, Roscoe C. Bowhall; 1945, C.W. Jenner, acting mayor- 1946, C.W. Jenner; 1947- 48, Leo H. French; 1949-52, John N. Hughes; 1953-58, Fred C. Laramy; 1959-61, Harold Buck, Jr. resigned 9-9-6 1; 1961-62, Roscoe C. Bowhall; 1963-66, Robert Parr; 1967-68, Frances McNulty; 1969- 74, Lyle Wolstenholme- 1974-76, Francis McNulty, resigned June 1976; 1976-80, Joseph Hopsicker; 1981-82, Willard Smith; 1983-85, Michael LaComb, resigned 9-16-85- 1985-88, Joseph Mariano; 1989- 90, Rupert Palmer; 1991-95, Mark D. Tebo.
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How Norwood Received Its NameThe residents of Potsdam Junction were irked for many years by a name that indicated the village was a sort of tail to the Potsdam kite. They wanted a new name for the village, for the railroad station was named Potsdam by the officials of the Northern Railroad and was so printed in the time table of the North Country's pioneer railroad when it opened for business in 1850.
Four years later when the Potsdam and Watertown railroad began business the name of the station was changed to Potsdam Junction.
The year the impatience of the resident's rose to fever heat is probably in the early 80's. The prime mover in the agitation was Rev. Mr. Chase a Methodist minister.
A public meeting was called to consider a change of name. There may have been some difference of opinion about the new name but there was unanimity as to the need for the change. Evidently, the Rev. Mr. Chase was a persuasive person for it was he that suggested the unpopular name of Potsdam be changed to Norwood. And why was that name selected?
It seems that Henry Ward Beecher had expressed the opinion that he could write as good a novel as his sister did when she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. To prove it he wrote a novel called Norwood but it was a flop. But Rev. Mr. Chase liked the name and proposed that it be adopted. He pointed out that it was an easy name to write because there were no T's to cross or I's to dot and no letter went above or below the line. Mr. Chase's proposal was promptly adopted and that is now Norwood got its name.
An examination of the minutes of the village board of Potsdam Junction, N.Y. show that on March 30, 1875 a resolution was passed that the President and trustees of the village petition the State of New York to change the name of the post office and railroad depot from Potsdam Junction to Baldwin, but it was discovered that there was already a post office named Baldwin. On April 5, 1875 a meeting was held in Yale Hall to decide on a name. (There is a newspaper clipping of this meeting in the minute's book at the Village clerk's office.)
The results of the balloting at this meeting were:
The name of Norwood received 42 votes
The name of Potsdam Junction received 19 votes
The name Onawa received 12 votes
The name Oakley received 5 votes
The name Duck Pond received 1 vote
On May 11, 1875 the Village Clerk was instructed to prepare a petition for the village board to send to Washington to change the name of the post office to Norwood.
On Sept. 13, 1943, the village board was advised by the St. Lawrence County Clerk that the records in the County Clerk's office still showed the village as Potsdam Junction. Abstracts of the board meetings of Mar. 30 and Apr. 5, 1875 were made and turned over to W. W.W. Haile, County Clerk, for recording.
The PoliceThe first "lawmen" in Norwood were the lamplighters. Mr.Dutton (1884) who was paid $11.50 monthly, H. Leete (1886) paid 75 cents per night and later E.J. Johnson served on the dual job.
In 1900 John Ladue was paid $30 to act as night watchman for the period of October 1, 1899 to April 1, 1900, and later was offered the salary of $4 per week if, in addition to acting as night police, he would also be custodian of the Music Hall and care for the tramps and provide himself with a uniform to wear while on duty and also give a $300 bond.
The following year the Norwood Village Board voted to pay $5 weekly to a competent policeman "if one could be found."
Over the years police constables in Norwood have included Edwin Avery, Ashley W. Clark, Thomas M. Bicknell, Martin V.B. Curtis, George H. Sheer, John C. Streeter, Oel S. Morgan, John Brorreau, Sevey Martin, Leroy H. Martin, Mathew S. Robinson, Hiram W. Lytle, Henry Deleel, David Fitzgibbon, Henry Bedell, Ed Scott, A. H. Lathan, J. 0. Partlow, N. S. Seaver, Charles H. Stowell who was to be at the depot, A.H. Bears, Lewis Moulton, John Carson, A.H. Bean a constable to serve papers only in connection with his business of collecting, D. J. McNulty, George Grant, H.T. Walker, David C. Bix, A.B. Cassada, A. Covey and Wm. H. Capron.
A note in the local paper July 20, 1921 said "Patrolman James Fraughton appeared last week in an honest-to-goodness police uniform just like the kind they wear in New York City. Jim whose build gives him an appearance of a regular city cop looks as spic and span as they make'em."
There have been many persons who have worked for the Norwood Police Department with the title of Patrolman, Constable, full or part time, Chief of Police and other titles.
Prior to the appointment of Chief of Police Dale J. Wells in May 1987, some of the those employed were, Kermit MacIver, Charlie Lonkey and Harry Fieckert in 1956; Winifred Gary and Floyd Currier, 1957; Roy Oakes, 1961; Allen Phillips, 1963 with William LaDuke and Leo Dufore; Roy Trimm, 1966; David McCarthy, 1973; Ronald McCarthy and James Cameron, 1974; Jerry Shampine, 1975; Michael Moulton, Joseph Ramie, Richard Perrigo, Richard Hill, Donald Lustyk and Harry Young, 1976; James Harris, 1977; Timothy Levison, 1978; Timothy Trossen, 1979; James Lahey, Danforth Peacock, Richard Castle, David Devoe and James Mason, 1980; Andrew French, 1981; John Liptak and David Bartlett, 1982; John Kaplan, 1984; Judith Trimboli, John E. Schneller and Alan Mulkin, 1985; Jay Farrand and Timothy Peets, 1986- Wayne Markert, David Fenton, Robert Montroy, August Bonno, Dale J. Wells, Robert Thomas, and Edward Clary, 1987; Mark LaBrake, 1990; John E. Jones, Jr., 1991; Scott Dodge, James LaBrake and Shawn Wells, 1994.
Some of these persons are still in law enforcement. James Mason is a patrolman and D.A.R.E. officer at Potsdam Police Department; Sgt. David Devoe and Timothy Peets are in the new York State Police; James Lahey is a D.A.R.E. officer in Dewitt, N.Y. - Lt. John Kaplan and David Bartlett are with the Potsdam Police Department; Alan Mulkin is Canton Chief of Police where John Liptak is a patrolman and D.A.R.E. officer- August Bonno is at Ogdensburg while Gene Michael Knowlton is a Deputy Sheriff and K-9 handler for the Sheriff's Department; Mark LaBrake is with the Massena Police. Recently retired from the Potsdam Police Department is Sgt. Richard Perrigo and Richard J. Hill.
Members of the Norwood Police Department are Chief Dale J. Wells, Patrolmen John E. Schneller, James J. Harris, Andrew P. French, Brian Burke, Lawrence K. Averill, Scott D. Dodge and Shawn J. Wells. David Fenton, Jr. is currently on leave due to being elected board member in the Village of Norwood.
Training has been increased and as well as all mandated training in firearms, arrest techniques, Force and CPR-Radar and B.T. Operator. The Norwood Police Department officers are trained to be Police Instructors, to be Recertifiers for Police Instructors, to give ATV and snowmobile licensing courses to youths 10 to 16 years of age, to do training for the 80 hour Crime Prevention Program, to give Fire Police training and AIDS training, an Accident Reconstructionist, to give highway drug interdiction training and be a firearm instructor. The Norwood Police also do bicycle rodeos, the C.A.T. program, Operation ID and the D.A.R.E. program in 6 St. Lawrence County schools with about 450 students each year since l989. Each year the Norwood P.D. does fingerprinting for operation CHILD FIND at the Norwood Grade School.
The D.A.R.E. program is a Drug Abuse Resistance Education program where a sworn police officer trained in the program goes into the school for a weekly one-hour class for a total of 17 weeks for grade 6. This teaches children not to use drugs, how to deal with pressure, stress, self-esteem, alternatives, support and gang violence.
During World War 11, a Civil Defense Brigade was formed in the Town of Potsdam and composed in the most part of men employed by the electric company. They drilled in Potsdam but performed their duties as air wardens in Norwood.
Prior to having a full time Chief of Police on duty, the Mayor was designated as Chief of Police ex officio.
The Norwood Police Department is located in a small office near the Norwood Fire Department and has one patrol car and one car used for the D.A.R.E. project.
Back to Table of Contents History of the Norwood-Norfolk Central School Systemby Marcia Eggleston
Norwood-Norfolk Central School District is presently a school of approximately 1300 students in grades kindergarten through twelve. It was centralized in 1949 from the two separate districts of Norwood and Norfolk following a vote of approval by the residents of those districts. The history of the Norwood and Norfolk schools must be dealt with separately to show how the central district came about.
The first school in Norfolk was known to exist in 1812. By the 1820s, the township was divided into several school districts. District No. I was located at Norfolk slightly north of the present elementary school. District No. 2 was located at Raymondville, and District No. 3 was located at Plum Brook. District No. 4 was centered at a stone schoolhouse on the northeast corner of the Joy and Plum Brook Roads. District No. 5 was centered at the Judson Schoolhouse, on the southwest corner of the Norfolk-Plum Brook Road and what is now route 56, and District No. 6 was centered in Grantville.
School was in session for two terms, summer and winter. In the winter, when farm work was slack, most children attended school. Often one teacher would have sixty or seventy students aged five to twenty years old. Many times some of the students would be older than the teacher, as a teaching license could be obtained at age sixteen.
Licenses were given by school commissioners following examinations given by them. The certificates for teaching were in three grades. Often young people could pass an examination to teach, getting a third grade license without ever going to a high school or normal school. After a certain length of time, the law required them to get a second grade license, and finally a first grade license. Many prospective teachers went to a normal school for periods of time to help them pass the exams.
Wages were low, and often as part of their pay, teachers were given board in local homes as part of their salaries, in periods proportionate to the number of children in the family. It was also customary to have each family furnish a share of dry wood to help heat the schoolhouse. When families failed to do so, school trustees purchased wood and the delinquent families were compelled to pay for it. Minutes of the Norfolk School Board meeting for October 26, 1830 stated that "each of the patrons of the district deliver a cord of wood for each scholar on or before the first day of January next."
Private or select schools were common in these times and pupils had to pay tuition. At Raymondville, the home of Judge Raymond was used as a select school. It was said to have had many fireplaces and was quite a showcase.
Trustees' report was kept for the Norfolk School starting in the 1820s. The January 1, 1829 report stated that school was held for four months and three weeks since the last report, a year earlier. The amount of money received for the year was $26.27. The number of children taught in 1829 was 46 with the number of children residing in the district who were over five and under sixteen being 72.
In 1840, the trustees began collecting money for a school library. That year they purchased 10 volumes and collected $3.72. By 1842, there were 22 volumes and the trustees began saving money for the purchase of a library for the district. Each year, one of the school trustees was appointed librarian. School Board minutes for January 1, 1848 state that the books used in school were Porter's Rhetorical Reader, Adams'Arithmetic, Mitchell and Olney's Geography, and Webster's Spell Book.
A schoolhouse on a lot north of the present grade school on Hepburn Street was used until the 1870s. Then District No. 1 was relocated to Sober Street, almost opposite the end of Morris Street. This was originally a one-story building, but in 1894, it was enlarged to a two-story building, then employing two teachers. It was used until September 1906, when the Norfolk Union School was opened. This school combined the Norfolk, East Norfolk and no. 5 (Judson School) districts and was again located on Hepburn Street, with 217 pupils attending. Thomas Haggerty was principal; Alberta Wilson was preceptress and music teacher. Mollie King, Erna Borrman, Maud Van Kennen and Etta Raymond were teachers in 1906.
In 1871, a school was built in Raymondville on the comer of the Grantville Road and what is now route 56. In 1904-1905, it was enlarged to two rooms and in 1920-1921, enlarged to four rooms.
The first graduating class of the Norfolk Union High School consisted of Laura Wood, Earl Cuglar, and LeRoy Taft, in 1913. The school did not have an auditorium or a gymnasium, so graduation exercises were held at the Town Hall and students were required to present long essays or orations at the ceremony.
Because of the outbreak of World War 1, the Norfolk Union School Board minutes of June 5, 1918 declared that "a notice be posted in the school building to the effect that the subject of German be discontinued in the course of study for the reason that it is the language of the enemy country and the Board desires to express their disapproval of the teaching of German or the singing of German songs in this or any other school."
By 1919, the population was growing due to an influx of many Hungarians and Italians and the school board requested a committee to ascertain the cost of renting a room for separating the first grade and the advisability of hiring another first grade teacher.
On January 26,1920, fire broke out in the Norfolk School building at 7:15 a.m. and the building was entirely destroyed. The fire was believed to have been caused by overheated pipes and the loss was estimated at $30,000. Arrangements were immediately made to hold classes in the Town Hall. The fire station, the Methodist Church and the Goodnow building on the southwest comer of main and Sober Streets, until a new building would be ready for use.
A proposition to raise $ 100,000 to build a new school passed on March 19, 1920, and the plans for the new school were accepted by the State Education Department on August 23, 1921.
The new Norfolk Union School opened in September 1922, on the site of the school that had burned two years earlier. The teachers of grades one through eight received salaries of $800 a year while the high school teachers received $900 a year, with annual increments of $75, starting in September 1923.
The community was again growing rapidly, and in November 1923, the Board of education asked Miss Flynn, the first grade teacher, to see the parents of the children under six to see if they would take them out of school because of the overcrowded condition. Instead, in April 1924, the Board voted to hire an extra first grade teacher and have an extra room equipped for school use.
By September 1928, the Board of Education voted to hire another high school teacher to take care of the crowded condition there. A proposition to raise $16,000 for an addition to the school was put to the voters on October 6, 1931, and passed. The new wing was built in 1932.
The Norfolk Union Free School District purchased from the St. Regis Paper Company in 1936, approximately four acres of land, what was then known as Barkley Park, for the sum of $200 to be used for athletic and recreational purposes. This land is next to the present Norfolk Arena.
The first known school in Norwood was a building at the corner of North Main Street and Cedar Street in 1852. In 1858, a second school existed in the village.
A school was built on Park Avenue in 1862, at a cost of $2500. A new school budding, the site of the present elementary school was built in 1885 at a cost of $15,000. The Norwood School Board minutes of October 25, 1886 stated that they would "amend the bylaws of the school as to make the terms consist of 4O weeks in three terms known as fall winter and spring terms, two terms of 13 weeks each and one term of 14 weeks, each term to commence at such dates as to make the last week of each term to coincide with the weeks appointed by the regents for examinations."
The Norwood School was closed on May 18,1891, because of an epidemic of scarlet fever. The Primary Department remained closed for the rest of the term, while the Academic Department (High School) opened again June 8. The regent's examinations were postponed until the next term because of the illness. The Board voted at this time not to allow a pupil to come to school from a family in which there was a case of dangerous contagious disease.
In 1903, the school was in an overcrowded condition, which prompted the principal to go to the Board. He stated one primary room had 91 students. A committee was appointed to investigate. Several classes were divided and taught in the churches and various residences of the village.
In February 1917, the principal told the Board of Education that all of the rooms were congested. There were 59 students in one first grade, 55 students in second grade, 52 students in third grade and 48 students in fourth grade, while 3O to 4O students were all the State Education Department allowed. An inspector from the Department had recently visited the school and stated there was an unallowable congested condition and insufficient light. The board voted to have an architect come and look over the school and make a rough sketch of an addition. Plans for the addition, 48' x 98', adjoining the west side of the building at a cost of $20,000 were presented at the next meeting. The addition consisting of several classrooms and a gymnasium was built later that year.
In 1926, the school was again overcrowded and rooms outside the school had to be found for some classes. The first grade was split into two groups, a morning and afternoon session. Several classes were housed in the Powell residence, referred to as the "Little School." In December 1928, Dr. Swartz of St. Lawrence University was employed to determine whether a new building proposition should be brought up.
In June 1929, a committee was appointed by the Board of Education to secure information regarding plans and cost of constructing a new school building and of remodeling the old building. A proposition to purchase an addition to the school site at a cost of $3000 and to construct and equip a new school at a cost of $297,000 was put to the voters of the district in February 1930 and both were voted down. In June of 1930, these propositions were again put to the voters of the district and again voted down. The Board then decided to give up on the idea of a new school for the time being.
In September 1944 the Norfolk Board of education voted to have the principal, Mr. Francis Kelly, contact District Superintendent, C. B. Olds in regard to available information and procedure for centralization of schools, Mr. Richard Hann, principal of the Norwood School, and Mr. E. J. Mulholland, board member, met with Mr. Kelly and one board member from Norfolk in November 1945 to arrange a program of instruction for the new central school if it was voted on.
Meetings continued for the next couple of years between the two school districts and the State Education Department. On June 17, 1949, a combined meeting of the Norwood and Norfolk School Boards was held and a resolution to develop a centralized school district was put to the voters. The vote was 827 for and 205 against. The first Central School Board consisted of Howard J. Hall, Russell Colbert, Kenneth McDonald, Jack Lynch, George Dailey, William Salisbury, Kinsman Wright, Donald Bixby, and Kenyon Jones.
At the first organization meeting, Kinsman Wright was elected president of the Board. Richard Hann was elected supervising principal and Francis Kelly was elected vice-principal. In July 1949, the school district was named Norwood-Norfolk Central School District.
The rural schools known as the Bixby, Plum Brook, Stockholm 24, Daily Ridge, Kinsman, Regan, Burnhams Corners, and Tiernan Ridge schools voted over the next two years to join the central district.
Plans for a new central school building began immediately. 'On January 10, 1951, the voters of the district passed a proposition to construct a Junior-Senior High School including a bus garage at a cost of $1,335,000 at a site on the Norwood-Norfolk Road, and renovate the three schools of the district for $65,000. The first classes were taught in the new Junior-Senior High School on February 23,1953. On May 24,1953, the new Junior-Senior High School was dedicated with then Deputy Attorney General and Norfolk native, William P. Rogers as guest speaker.
In 1958, additional classrooms were added to both the Norwood and Norfolk Elementary Schools. Additional office space was added to the Junior-Senior High School in 1962-63, and in 1966-67, a library and classroom wing was added to the High School. The Raymondville School was closed in 1970, due to decreasing enrollment and those children were sent to the Norfolk Elementary School. Another addition was added to the Junior-Senior High School during the 1979- 80 school year, consisting of several classrooms, a second gymnasium and new band and chorus rooms. This addition became the new seventh and eighth grade wing.
On June 4,1985, centennial celebrations were held at the Norwood Elementary School. A contest was held for the students to design a logo for the centennial and an anniversary cake was made for students and staff. Repairs were also made to the school bell and the fountain in the schoolyard.
In January 1991, a study was commissioned by the School board to determine the need for renovations to the existing three buildings. The report from the architects was received that spring and in August 1992 a Facilities Committee of 42 community members, school administrators and faculty was developed to review the plans. Many options were studied and in October 1993, the voters were asked to give their approval for a building project, which would add a K-6 addition onto the existing High School building, with major renovations done to the High School. The voters overwhelmingly approved this building project and on October 31, 1994, contractors broke ground for the elementary wing. The new elementary wing is scheduled to open in September 1995, with renovations to the High School continuing through the 1995-1996 school year.
The Norwood and Norfolk communities have supported the education of its children for the past 170 years. The administration, faculty and staff have in return worked very hard to provide the best possible education for the students of the district. The result is the future of the communities, our children.
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From North Potsdam To Norwood, N.Y. 13668Racquetteville was a bustling little hamlet with a dozen or so houses, a hotel and a railroad depot serving the new Northern Railroad when the first post office was established as North Potsdam on December 30, 1850 with Rollin Ashley as postmaster.
The exact location of the first post office is uncertain but is assumed to have been in the Benjamin G. Baldwin building which stood on the site of the present Pert Block.
Mr. Ashley was succeeded April 1, 1852 by lawyer Benjamin G. Baldwin, considered the founder of the village and he was succeeded on December 12, 1855 by Dennis Mould who operated a store near the south corner of Main and Mechanic Streets.
Wyman M. Fuller was appointed to the office of postmaster on May 27, 1856, and the 1858 Robinson map clearly shows that "W.M. Fuller, P.M PO" did business in a block on the west side of North Main Street midway between the Northern Railroad tracks and Prospect Street.
On December 21, 1861, Marshall H. Himes took over. This versatile gentleman was a practicing physician who later served in the 96th Regiment N.Y. S. during the Civil War. He had a drugstore and office about where the Knights of Columbus hall now stands and the post office was most likely there also.
John Raymond succeeded Dr. Mines March 5, 1863, and Beer's Atlas locates the office on the same site. It was during his term of office that, on October 20, 1867, the name of the post office was changed to Potsdam Junction which made it easier for the 1100 residents since the village had adopted the same name. In 1875, the village name was changed to Norwood by the voters.
Among the men who have served as postmaster (list follows) were William T. Leonard who operated the Leonard Butter Factory and had a singing school, Hollis H. Bailey who had been a Civil War prisoner in the infamous Andersonville Prison, H. C. Munson who, in 1883, hired the first woman clerk, Frederick R. Smith who was principal of the village school and Gerald McGinnis who was the first career postal employee to be promoted to postmaster on October 2, 1963.
For many years the post office was located in the small wooden building immediately south of the bank. For a short time following the disastrous fire at the Whitney House Hotel in January 1925, the post office did business in the little building on Mechanic Street recently vacated by the Jarvis Barber and Hobby Shop. The post office returned to its slightly singed quarters on South Main Street and remained there until 1940, when again a move was made, this time to the Inman Block, comer of South Main Street and Bernard Avenue. There it remained until 1983 when the move was made into the large building 20-22 Main Street, a much larger and more convenient location. This budding had been the Crouch Brothers Garage and later, the Ambassador Dry Cleaning plant.
Norwood, St. Lawrence County, New York
Established as North Potsdam on December 30, 1850
Name changed to Potsdam Junction on October 30, 1867
Name changed to Norwood on November 24, 1875
Back to Table of Contents Norwood Post OfficeOn July 1, 1971, all United States post offices came under the jurisdiction of the new postal service corporation.
On April 15,1913, Arthur N. Tebo became the first letter carrier for the home delivery of mail. Norwood was chosen one of about 20 communities in the United States to receive home delivery on an experimental basis. Mr. Tebo retired as a rural carrier in 1958.
Rural delivery began out of Norwood July 1, 1903 with Edson Morgan delivering on Route 2 and William E. Dawson on Route 1.
In 1994, the staff of the Norwood Post Office was:
Rural Route 1: Mauree Gonyea; Nancy Bumap, substitute. Rural Route 2: Nancy Bumap and Donald Norman, substitutes. Village carrier: Randy Brault with Richard Pike, substitute. Clerks: Beverly Baynes and Renee Raymonda.
Postmaster: Howard Maroney.
Back to Table of Contents The Water WorksNorwood was a busy and prosperous community in 1902, a recent census had listed 1734 inhabitants, telephone service was rapidly becoming a reality and electricity was lighting the streets and school. But the dry sinks in the Norwood kitchens were really dry - there was no "running" water. Many homes had their own wells, some had cisterns and nearly everyone had a rain barrel to augment the water supply for household use.
A special meeting of the Norwood Village Board was held in May 1902 to hear R.D. Reed report that the estimated cost of a sewer system would be $14,358 - the estimated cost of "waterworks" was $33,512. A special election on June 3, 1902 gave the village fathers the authority to borrow $15,000 or as much as necessary for a permanent sewer system and $35,000 or as much as necessary to establish a water system. Water bonds to be sold at 3 1/2% par were issued in the following amounts: ten $500 bonds, twenty $1000 bonds and twenty-five $400 bonds.
P.J. Cumniings and R.R. Haggett were appointed to see about securing a site for a standpipe and eventually a lot 6Ox6O feet on the north east comer of the Norman Pruner lot on 'B.C. Dailey hill" was purchased for $75. The Walsh Boiler and Iron Works of Springfield were contracted to supply the standpipe for $400. W.N. Crouch submitted a price of $1000 per year for furnishing a building suitable for a pumping station together with engine and labor.
The water was taken directly from the Raquette River and was not suitable for drinking purposes but homes were being piped, sinks and bathrooms installed. The sewers also emptied into the river down-stream from the intake.
By 1931 the Village had contracted with Hendrick & Moore to drill an 8-inch well "near the present well on the Jenkins lot." Norwood homes are now supplied with ample water from two wells. The water has a high mineral content but it is sweet and palatable.
A lagoon sewage treatment system was constructed on the West bank of the river as mandated by New York State and was put into operation in the fall of 1970.
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It Is Better To Light One Candle ---The first mention of street lighting in the village minute books occurs in 1884 when street lamps were purchased at a cost of $46.17, the street commissioner instructed to see about globes and getting the lamps in "good running order" and Mr. Dutton hired at $15 monthly to light the lamps which were installed on Main Street as far as the Congregational Church, on Mechanic Street and a few on Spring Street.
The next lamplighter, H. Leete, was paid 75 cents per night for filling, lighting and caring for the street lamps. A lamp was placed in front of the Catholic Church (then on Bernard Avenue) and on the corner of Park and River Streets. It became necessary to confer with one lamplighter and to instruct him that the lights along the principal streets were not to be put out until after the arrival of the last train at 11:35 p.m.
The idea of lighting the village streets by electricity was being considered as early as 1888 when the American Electric Mfg. Co. of New York petitioned the Board for an exclusive 10-year contract to set poles, string wire as necessary for the purpose of supplying electric power with the provision the plant would be in operation September 15, 1888 or the contract would be null and void. Records do not indicate what happened to the company; no further mention is made of them.
The following year W. D. Fuller presented a petition to the Board asking to erect an electric light plant, all poles would be erected under the supervision of the trustees, according to the agreement.
A special election was held in 1890 and the proposition to instruct the Village Board to contract for 6 years with the Norwood Electric Company to light the village streets with 2000 candle power lights to burn on every dark night from dark until midnight was defeated 73 -71.
Ten years after the first mention of street lights was made, the Village Board contracted with W.H. Wells to light the streets with electricity, 20 arc lights at an annual cost of $50 each, was specified. George W. Richards, president, and W.D. Fuller, secretary of the Norwood Electric Light & Power Company contracted to have the streets lighted by October 20, 1894.
The service must have been satisfactory for later in the year, the Board asked the Company to provide 640 candle power electric lighting in the new Music Hall. However, on one occasion the Board felt the $305.75 bill for three months lighting was too much so voted to discount it 5 percent.
Norwood was fast becoming a modem community when in 1902 the light company was instructed to "run" the lights until 5 a.m. during the months of November, December and January "except on bright moonlight mornings." Lights were furnished in the new academic building, rooms and halls, at no additional cost but the wiring and fixtures were bought by the school.
In the early years of this century, up and coming residents were "putting in" the telephone, electric lights and water, and marveled at the convenience and timesaving of these things which we now take for granted.
Back to Table of Contents Number Please!In 1899 the St. Lawrence Telephone Company applied for a permit from the Norwood Village Board of Trustees to "erect and maintain poles, cables, wire appliances and structures for establishment and maintenance of a telephone and telegraph line in Norwood." However there was no further reference to this company.
In 1902 the Norwood Telephone Company was organized with the following stockholders: Willis J. Fletcher, president; Frank L. Smith, Archie C. Healy, George Harris, W.D. Fuller, J.E. Boyonton and L.E. Ellison. About 50 or 60 telephones were installed at this time.
The switchboard was set up in the back part of the Healy store and Mrs. Healy became the "chief operator" with Miss Mayme Hoag as her assistant. A telegraph line was installed and Mrs. Healy was the operator.
The 1907-1908 Business Directory for the village carried advertising for the Adirondack Home Telephone Company. The Norwood Telephone Company was taken over by the New York Telephone Company. NYNEX now provides telephone service.
According to one source, the switchboard was moved from the Healy store to the rooms above in about 1907 and switchboards added. The telephone exchange remained there until the dial system was inaugurated in 1958 and all calls began going through the Potsdam exchange or the dial office, which had been built on Park Street.
Back in the early days of the telephone, operators were paid the small salary of $4.00 per week. There were no telephone directories and a person making a call asked the operator to ring the subscriber to whom he wished to speak. One of the first operators after the switchboard was moved was Mrs. Blanche Bush. Some of the other operators were Charlotte McCarthy, Charlotte Steams, Elizabeth Pernice, Maude Latimer, Hazel King, Delilah Quigley, Minnie G. Noxie, Eva Waite Dillabough, Blanche Austin Willard, Emma Finnegan, Winnifred Larrabe Sawyer, Delia Long, Mable Redmond Lavigne, Viola Mackey, Mildred Brown Gibson, Beatrice Fanner Stevens, and chief operator, May Sullivan.
Operators honored by the Norwood Chamber of Commerce and the New York Telephone Company in 1958 included Mrs. May Sullivan, 43 years of service- Mrs. Beatrice Stevens, 35 years- Mrs. Leona Colby, 21 years; Mrs. Gertrude Murray, 20 years; Mrs. Erma LaComb, 15 years- Mrs. Laura Farnsworth, 12 years; Mrs. Iona Ames, night operator for 11 years- Mrs. Mary Weisse and Mrs. Betty Shampine.
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Business and IndustryThe coming of the Northern Railroad to Racquetteville in 1850 brought people, industry and prosperity. Within a few years, about 1854, a second railroad, the Watertown-Potsdam Railroad, added to the industrial potential of the community by providing another means of transporting goods to the city markets. The Northern Railroad was the innovator of the refrigerator cars - they carried butter in specially built cars - the famous "icebox on wheels butter train."
The railroads employed many local men and as the railroad junction expanded, the employment increased.
With the formation of the Racquetteville Water Company and the building of the dam, mills sprang up like magic along both sides of the river. Other commercial enterprises were located elsewhere in the village.
Some of the industries which flourished for a time in the village were the sawmills, run in succession by Bicknell Brothers, Beckwith, A.M. Adsit & Co., Loveless and Fonda, Reynolds & Shaw, Reynolds & McGill, Pearson's broom handle factory, Davis Threshing Machine factory, flouring mill of Hiram Rodee, Bean & Waldron Tannery, Norwood Lumber Co., a marble works, kindling mill which bundled scrap lumber to send to New York City and Boston, a casket factory, two sash and door and blind factories, Leonard's Creamery and butter factory, Leonard & Martin butter tub factory, H. S. Martin & Sons Grist
Norwood was a 'railroad town' and existed because the coming of the Northern Railroad in 1850. Later the New York Central, the Norwood & St. Lawrence and a line from Canada ran into Norwood. This depot stood on the east end of Mechanic Street and was a busy place as more than a dozen train's passenger and freight, rolled to a stop here. With the severe decline of the railroads, the depot was closed and tom down in 1966.
The railroads were employers of many Norwood men. It was common for several men in a family to be a 'railroader. ' The McCormicks, four brothers, logged a total of about 200 years, their sons worked by their sides; Herbert French and sons, Leo and Weldon; the Fiacco men; the Orologios; the Flynns and many others. There is no employee list available.
mill, and later a hub factory; carriage maker, planing mill, starch factory, ice cream factory, A. J. Phillips, proprietary medicine plant, the paper mill, one of the largest in the area which was eventually bought by the St. Regis Paper Co., and closed during the Depression.
Norwood, with a peak population of about 2,000, has only one physician at the present time, Dr. Ibrahim S. Elkhayat, who has an office in the Medical Building at 38 1/2 South Main Street. Built in the 1950's by Dr. Henry Vinicor, and now owned by the Canton-Potsdam Hospital Foundation, the structure has office space for several physicians.
Over the years other doctors who practiced here were Dr. Marshall Himes, Dr. Truman A. Pease, both had been in the Civil War- Dr. John A. Wilber, Dr. Benjamin M. Ames, Dr. Edson Austin, Dr. Larkin, Dr. Sidney Phelps, Dr. James Kissane, Dr. Lloyd T. McNulty and Dr. James P. Smith, both Norwood natives, Dr. L.U. Hurlburt, Dr. C.O. Sumner, Dr. Henry Vinicor, Dr. Mathias, and Dr. Jan Close.
There has been no dentist practicing in Norwood for many years. One of the best known dentists to practice here was Dr. George Hakins who invented a number of instruments and techniques still used in dental practice. Dr. Leo P. Regan and a Dr. Reynolds also practiced dentistry in Norwood as well as Dr. C.P. Martin who died in 1962.
The first lawyer in this village was the founder, Benjamin G. Baldwin. Charles N. Bixby, Tom Murphy, T. John Turner, Norman Clafin, Willis J. Fletcher, Richard Algie, E.E. Wright and the present attorneys, Lee H. Turner, Robert Sassone, Robert H. Ballan and James Monroe, have followed in Mr. Baldwin's illustrious footsteps.
Two office chairs used in the offices of Mr. Bixby and later Mr. Fletcher are in use at the Norwood Museum, a gift from Mr. Fletcher's daughters, Mrs. Louise F. Chase and Mrs. Margaret Worthing.
A newspaper, The Norwood News, was established in 1877 by E.D. Parks in the "New Block" on Mechanic Street. He sold to F.R. Smith and C.H. Martin. Asa Nickerson was publisher for many years; he sold to Mason R. Smith of Gouverneur who discontinued the paper in the early 1940's. The old Norwood News files are in the Courier Observer office at Potsdam.
Churches and Affiliated Organizations
In the year 1884, Norwood was the seat of a Catholic parish, which included Norwood, Hopkinton, Parishville and Wick.
The first priest to say mass in the Village of Norwood was Father McGlynn of Potsdam and Father McDonald followed him. The mission was attended afterwards by parish priests of Potsdam and by others from the Episcopal residence of the Diocese until 1877, when Rev. Thomas Walsh was appointed to take charge of the territory which included the above mentioned villages.
The first Irish Catholic family to settle in the village and one of the earliest families was the Daniel Morgan family. Others who settled here were the Collins, Quinns, O'Briens, McCarthys, Driscolls, Bourkes, McCormicks, Learys and Halligans; some of these names are still represented in the parish.
Despite the fact that there was no Catholic church in Norwood until 1879, St. Andrew's was incorporated under the laws of the church Feb. 11, 1876, by the Rev. E. Wadhams, the Very Rev. James Mackey, the Rev. John E. O'Haire and trustees Rody Looby and James Bryan.
The first Catholic Church was a wooden structure built on Railroad Street (Bernard Avenue) on the property deeded to the
St. Andrew's Catholic Church
Church by Rody Looby. It was begun in 1879 and dedicated in 1883 by Bishop Wadhams under the title of St. Andrew the Apostle. This church was used by the parishioners until 1909.Before the church was built services were held in a building just north of the Post Office on Main Street. The two-story structure later burned was never rebuilt. In those days mass was said once in two weeks until the resident priest was appointed to Norwood.
When Rev. Thomas Walsh came to serve the Norwood Catholics he boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Simonds and daily mass was offered in their home. During Father Walsh's pastorate the first church was built but no rectory constructed. In 1888 Rev. John Fitzgerald was appointed to the parish and through his efforts the house on the comer of Park Avenue and Bernard Avenue was purchased for a rectory.
The house had been built by a doctor following the Civil War and at the time of the purchase was owned by Mr. Dixon, a railroad conductor on the old R.W. & 0. Remodeling was done in the 1920's and again during Rev. James E. Joy's pastorate (1934-1950).
The cornerstone for the present church was laid in 1908. The church was completed and services began in 1909.
The church, with a seating capacity of 500, is made of gray Gouverneur marble. A 70-foot tower holds a 3100-pound bell of ingot copper and East India tin which was purchased from Meneely and Co. of Watervleit. The cost of the church was $40,000 of which $25,000 had been paid at the time of the dedication.
Bazaars and a diamond ring contest raised a considerable amount of money for the new Park Avenue Church. The 1909 report of the Ladies Aid Society of the church showed that a record $2762.70 had been given toward the indebtedness that year.
During Father Roach's administration (1917-1927), subscriptions were obtained for an Esty organ, which was installed in 1928. Mrs. Sadie McCarthy was one of the first organists.
Over the years renovations have been made which includes an altar and altar railing of Italian marble, landscaping in front of the church, modernizing of the basement and church kitchen and installation of a handicapped entrance.
Rev. Paul Worczak is the pastor at St. Andrew's Church. During the pastorate of Rev. Francis J. Maguire a Parochial School was opened in 1959,with classes for elementary grades taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The modem school building and convent were constructed on donated land on the west side of outer South Main Street. When the school closed in 1974, all eight grades were being taught with the faculty comprised of the Sisters of St. Joseph and lay teachers.
These buildings are now used by the ARC and other structures have been built to house the Norwood B.O.C.E.S.
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St. Andrew's Altar Rosary Society
by Marlene Sullivan
St. Andrew's Altar Rosary Society was established more than fifty years ago under Father Joy. Mrs. William E. (Hilda Healy) Leonard was the first president.
The Society, in cooperation with other parish groups and members, sponsors festivals, raffles, bake sales, etc. to raise funds for the cleaning, upkeep and special needs of the church and parish. The many functions are held in the parish hall, which the society helps maintain.
Court Sancta Maria #715, Catholic Daughters of the Americas
by Carol Plonka
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas was formerly known as the National Order of the Daughters of Isabella. This order was founded in 1903 by Mr. John E. Carberry. There were seven other incorporators - all of Utica, NY. Court Utica was the first to be organized with 60 charter members. At the outset, members of the Knights of Columbus councils were appointed District and Territorial Deputies over the Courts. The Knights also established the ritual for the Order and two degree standards - Unity and Charity. Later a patriotic feature was added.
In five years, the organization had grown from one subordinate Court to ninety. It started with 60 members and in five years had over 10,000 members. It started in one city and in five years, the organization was in 69 cities and 18 different states. In ten years there were 206 courts in 32 states and 16,000 members.
In April 1921, official action was taken to change the name of the order from the National Order of the Daughters of Isabella to the Catholic Daughters of America.
In 1926 the National headquarters moved from Utica to New York City. In 1978 delegates at the 75th anniversary of the Catholic Daughters of America at a convention in New York City voted to change the name of the order to Catholic Daughters of the Americas. In June 1979, by decree of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, this became the official title.
Today, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas have over 145 thousand members in 1,538 courts in the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Saipan, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The Norwood Court, Court Sancta Maria #715 celebrated their 70th anniversary in 1992 along with 34 other courts. There were 48 charter members when the National Court signed the necessary documents designating Court Sancta Maria #715 on January 22, 1922.
The Catholic Daughters is made up of women over 18 years of age, working under the standards of Unity and Charity. We are guided by religious leaders from the National Court and our State Court in carrying out a seven-fold program. Each court supports whatever portions of the program is pertinent to its locale. All Catholic women of the area are welcome to join and need not be sponsored by a member. Court Sancta Maria #715 currently has 42 members. Meeting nights are the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in St. Andrew's Church hall.
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Msgr. Francis J. Maguire Council 2309
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus Council No. 2309 received its charter September 18, 1921. The Knights of Columbus organization bases its program on Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, all of which tend to create an interesting and worthwhile Council which has contributed greatly to our community.
The present membership of the Council, 80, is obtained through yearly membership drives. Twice monthly meetings are held according to Grand Knight Mark D. Tebo.
by Laura Patterson
It seemed fitting to quote from a passage found in a pamphlet published in 1957 at the dedication of Centennial Hall.
"The activities-events-people found in these pages are the result of the spirit of God living in this little village. If error there be in fact, in dates, in chronology, as details inevitably get lost in the shuffle, there can be no doubt that the spirit which motivated the founding fathers of this church has been passed on through each generation down to the present. And with a continuing ministry to the spiritual needs of the members and friends of this church, there is every reason to believe that "the past is prologue" to great days ahead in this Christian endeavor towards a Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven."
Although we are not the oldest congregation in the village of Norwood, we do have the oldest church building, built when we were known as Racquetteville. The Methodists, with whom our early history was closely intertwined, had earlier formed a society which met in homes, many times being led by a circuit rider preacher.
On March 4, 1858, an initial meeting was held in the local schoolhouse to explore the possibility of establishing a church. T.A. Silvery and E.J. Morgan were Moderators and T.A. Goodrich was appointed Scribe. Some discussion ensued as to whether the church being established would be Congregational or Presbyterian, as both denominations had strong parishes in the area - a Congregational Church in Madrid and a Presbyterian Church in Potsdam. I could not find any mention as to why the decision was made to become Congregational, but at this meeting, on the motion of E.L. Foote, the society was to be called The First Congregational Society of Racquetteville, Norman Ashley, Robert McGill and H.E. Holbrook were elected the first trustees and J.S. Morgan clerk of the society.
The First Congregational Church Of Norwood Relations remained close and cordial with the Presbyterian Church, ministers from our church having served, when needed, in the Dailey Ridge Presbyterian Church.
A second meeting was called to have the St. Lawrence Consociation of churches ratify the petition of the members of the Racquetteville church to join with them. On July 15, 1858, a little over four months from the initial meeting, it was voted to proceed with the establishment of the church. Some of the names of the first members are still very familiar in Norwood - Morgan, Whitney, Goodrich, Austin and Baldwin among others. From the start the new church had a minister - the Reverend Elijah H. Plumb who served from 1858-1864.
By February 13, 1862 the church building was dedicated. This building was erected on land given by Benjamin G. Baldwin and valued at $225. The structure itself cost $3,375.33 to erect. Initially the Methodists occupied the church with our congregation, subscribing to one-half the costs of the building and of the minister's salary. This arrangement continued for six years. It is interesting and surprising to us today to note that anyone donating at least $25 to the building had the right to use the sheds in the rear for stabling his horse. On certain days pews were assigned to Methodist families and others to Congregational families - seemingly on the basis of monies donated.
When the Methodists decided to build their own church the Congregationalists bought from them their half of the equity. The Methodist Church was built in 1868, being followed by St. Phillips Episcopal Church in 1874, St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church in 1878 and the Free Methodist Church in 1909.
During these early years the village changed its name to Potsdam Junction in 1872, but in 1875 the name was changed again, this time to Norwood after the novel of the same name written by Henry Ward Beecher, one of the Congregational Church's greatest preachers.
Less than fifty years after the founding of the church a remodeling produced the Sessions Room (a Sunday school room). The basement was altered to make room for parish activities. During these renovations the services were conducted over the drug store above what is now Jay's Bouquets.
The church pipe organ was acquired in the early 1900's. Louise Fletcher spearheaded these efforts and Andrew Carnegie through the Carnegie Foundation offered to finance one half the cost of the organ if the local church raised the other half. To help pay for the church's half a pageant Hiawatha was presented on the banks of the Raquette River.
In 1930 because of a previous fire whose date I could not find, further alterations were made with a center pulpit behind which was room for the choir and the organ.
In 1953 the church was refurbished and the lectern moved to one side of the chancel and the pulpit to the other giving a full view of a central altar.
The latest major renovation prior to the current bell tower and steeple project was in 1957 in anticipation of the church's one-hundredth year. On October 13 of that year Centennial Hall was dedicated. At the same time a new heating system was installed and the exterior of the church painted. William Henderson was leader of the efforts to raise the necessary funds.
And so today the efforts continue .................
(A report prepared and given by Laura Patterson at the Rededication Service for the restored steeple and bell tower - October 16, 1994.)
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The Norwood Free Methodist Church was formed in February 1909 and by November of that year land on the south side of Park Street had been purchased and a church building was under construction. In 1926 the house at 46 Elm Street was purchased to be used as a parsonage.
During the 1960's it became obvious that the church facilities were becoming outgrown. A building fund was started early in 1967 and by May two acres of land on outer South Main Street, the corner of Dry Bridge Road and Route 56, was purchased as the site for a new church. A building committee composed of George E. Merkley, Harry Brabon, Julian Ruger, Richard Hubbard, George Ladison, Mary Sherman and Alvin McNaim was named. In 1969 buildings which had comprised the early Seaway Area Technology Center was purchased through competitive bidding and a ground breaking ceremony was held June 1, 1969 inaugurating Phase I of the building program.
Most of the work involved in transforming the utilitarian classroom building into a house of worship was performed by members of the church and friends. A large group of well wishers turned out September 12, 1970 for a "church lawn day" when the grounds were raked, stones removed and seeding done. Plantings were added and a large parking lot was later built at the rear of the church.
Classrooms, a library, office and kitchen are adjacent to the sanctuary.
A service of de-dedication was held at the Park Street church on October 3, 1970 and the congregation moved to the new building where the first full day of worship was held October 11, 1970.
The new church was dedicated November 8,1970 with Rev. A.D. McLachlan, Syracuse, Conference Superintendent of the Susquehanna Conference of the Free Methodist Church, giving the Dedication message.
Rev. Robert L. Billings is the pastor.
Norwood's Free Methodist Church
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The Methodist Society is the oldest religious organization in the Village of Norwood. Methodism began in the first quarter of the 19th century when circuit riding Methodist ministers held services in the Potsdam Township.
As early as 1848 Mahala Symonds held prayer meetings in her log farmhouse located in what is now a field on the west side of Harrison Street back of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Clark.
Because of a prayer experience Mahala Symonds and another woman, who according to Symonds family tradition was Mrs. Royal
The United Methodist Church
Symonds, prevailed upon Rev. Thomas Rickey to establish a Methodist Church in the hamlet of Racquetteville in 1853. The first meetings were held in private homes and later in the Potsdam-Norfolk School District No. 16 schoolhouse located on present day North Main Street just north of Cedar Street.
A few years later the Methodist group joined with the Congregational group in the erection of a house of worship. The church, the present day Norwood Congregational Church, was dedicated in 1862. The two groups shared the building and services of a pastor until 1866 when the Methodists decided to withdraw and build their own church on a Prospect Street site donated by James Symonds. Although friendly relations continued between the two groups, during the period of building, Methodist services were held in the Norwood school which by then was a large white edifice on Park Avenue.
In 1868-69 a parsonage was built using handsome Raymondville brick to match the church. Over the years renovations and additions have been made and in 1963 the new Education Building was consecrated. In 1940 the several women's organizations of the church were combined in the Women's Society of Christian Service. The youth groups were united as the Methodist Youth Fellowship with junior and senior groups. The Brotherhood became the Methodist Men and the Adult Fellowship was formed.
In 1968 a great change came about in Methodism for this church, first known as the Methodist Episcopal Church, later as the First Methodist and by virtue of the marriage of the Methodist Church and the United Evangelical Brethren became officially known as the United Methodist Church.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. A. Livingston who served in 1854. The Rev. W.D. Chase (1873-76) proposed the name "Norwood" as suitable for the village in 1875 when the community wished to change the name from Potsdam Junction. Another clergyman who was of great influence in the village was the Rev. W.D. Aubrey (1911-1916) who was instrumental in the formation of the Norwood Public Library. His wife was head of the Red Cross bandage project during World War 1.
Until 1960 the pastor of the Norwood church also served the Methodist churches in North Stockholm and West Potsdam.
The Rev. Dan Corretore has served as the church's pastor since 1987.
Norwood United Methodist Church focuses on five areas of Christian life. Worship is central, with an adult and children's choir. Special services include "Hanging of the Greens," "Candlelight Christmas Eve," and "Easter Dawn at the Haggett farm overlooking the Raquette River. Christian nurture takes place in Sunday school, Ecumenical Vacation Bible School, Youth Group, and Bible study groups. Pastoral care is a priority. Fellowship groups provide support and encouragement. Mission outreach meets both material and spiritual needs in the local community and throughout the world. In these ways the church strives to be a reflection of Christ in all aspects of life.
Back to Table of Contents St. Philip's Episcopal Churchby Mrs. Clark Bowhall
St. Andrews Mission was organized in September 1874 with 15 families. Services were conducted by the rectors of Trinity Church, Potsdam and Grace Church, Norfolk in the Congregational Meeting House and Firemen's Hall respectively.
In 1879 the cornerstone of the Church was laid and in 1885 services were begun in the Church although the building was unfinished.
Between 1892 and 1894, under the direction of Rev. E.R. Earle, who had taken charge of the Mission in connection with Norfolk the interior of the Church was finished. On May 23, 1894 the Church was consecrated, a Charter granted, and the name changed to St. Philip's.
Rev. W.W. Lockwood became Minister-in-charge of the Missions of Norwood and Norfolk in 1896. During his years of service, the Rectory on Prospect St. near the public school was purchased. Morning and evening prayer services were conducted in Norwood while afternoon services were maintained in Norfolk.
When Rev. Lockwood had succeeded in bringing the conditions of the Mission at Norwood to a good financial position, a meeting was called in 1901 "for the purpose of incorporation as a Parish." This was effected December 6, 1901. The following men were elected to serve as the first Vestry of St. Philip's Parish: P.E. Walker and W.D. Stowell, Wardens: C.E. Wilber and W. Frank, Vestrymen.
The Rev. Lockwood was elected Rector of the parish. He resigned in 1904.
St. Philip's Episcopal Church
A Vested choir was organized and led the services for the first time on Easter Day 1910. During this year the Women's Auxiliary was organized.
The first Parish rooms were located over Plummer's Store and were secured for a period of 5 years beginning in 1926. In 193 1, the upper floor over the Norwood News on Mechanic Street was secured as a Parish hall. Dreams of a new Parish Hall began shortly after that, as these rooms became too crowded due to the popularity of St. Philip's Church suppers.
The first shovel full of dirt was lifted for the present Parish Hall in July 1937. It was completed and equipped in 1938. The building was designed by a Mr. Philip, an architect of Watertown, New York and the contractor was Roy White of Norwood, New York. The complete plant was a gift of Mrs. William A. Moore of Potsdam, New York.
From 1931 until his retirement in 1945 the Rev. Leon Haley served faithfully the Parish family. He strengthened a sense of unity among its members and encouraged a sense of responsibility in spreading the Gospel outside the Parish.
Four ministers served the Parish from l946-1963: Frank Hughes, John Ricketson, William J. Mathers, and Walter H. Read. The rectory during these years was located at 31 Prospect St. Upon the death of Irene Louise Nightengale in 1964, by bequest, the Church became the owner of the property known as the Ashley House at 1 Park St. The house was renovated for use as a Rectory. Rev. John Higgins and family were the first occupants of this Rectory in 1964. He resigned in 1968.
Rev. David B. Plank answered the call to St. Philip's in the spring of 1969. During his years here, his services were shared with the Parish of Zion Church Colton, New York. Rev. Plank resigned in the spring of 1977.
After an extended search, Rev. Lawrence B. Jones became rector in January 1978 and served until his retirement in March 1990. During his service at St. Philip's he continued the shared Ministry with the Colton Church. Also during this time the Vestry sold the house at 1 Park St. and purchased the present rectory at 6 Prospect St.
Rev. Robert Lincoln Graham III is the present rector. He also has a shared ministry with Trinity Church in Gouverneur.
Back to Table of Contents The State Bank of NorwoodDuring the early years of Norwood all banking had to be done outside the village. A great deal of business was by barter, there probably was not much cash in anyone's pocket. As employment increased and more money was at hand, the businessmen felt the need for a local bank. It was the custom to have someone in Albany sponsor a bank charter.
C.P. (Commodore) Vedder was sponsor for the Norwood bank; he had been a state representative, a senator and state assessor and was connected with the State Banking Department. When the State Bank of Norwood was established in 1887 with a capitalization of $25,000, M
