Rockwood Road Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rockwood Road Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly Rockwood Rd. from MBTA tracks to Boardman St., Norfolk, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 16 acres (6.5 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 100000850 |
| Added to NRHP | April 10, 2017 |
The Rockwood Road Historic District is a special area in Norfolk, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule, showing what the town looked like in the 1800s. This district runs along Rockwood Road, from the train tracks to Boardman Street. You'll find old homes and the historic Norfolk Grange Hall here. This area grew a lot when the railroad came to town. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. This means it's an important place to protect because of its history.
Contents
Exploring Rockwood Road's Past
This section tells you about the history of the Rockwood Road area. It explains how this part of Norfolk became what it is today.
How Norfolk's Center Grew
The area that is now downtown Norfolk was once part of other towns. First, it was part of Dedham. Later, it became part of Wrentham. In 1877, Norfolk became its own separate town. The center of town developed around the crossroads of Rockwood Road and Main Street. This was where the local church, called a meetinghouse, was located.
The Railroad's Big Impact
A major change happened in 1850 when the railroad line was finished. This made the village much more important. Businesses started to grow, especially south of the train tracks. The land north of the tracks, which used to be farms, was divided into smaller pieces. These new plots were used to build homes for people.
What You'll See in the District
The historic district stretches along Rockwood Road. It goes from Boardman Street down towards the train tracks. Even though the railroad was very important, the old train station building is no longer there.
Homes from the 1800s
Most of the buildings in the district are homes. They were built between about 1850 and 1900. However, you can also find some older and newer buildings. The oldest homes in the district are:
- The Mann House at 16 Rockwood Road, built around 1806.
- The Darius Ware House at 29 Rockwood Road, built around 1814.
The Norfolk Grange Hall
The only building in the district that wasn't originally a home is the Norfolk Grange Hall. It was built in 1863 as a Baptist church. This was the first church built away from the older Town Hill area. Today, it serves as a community hall.
