Happy TravellerWelcome to Norwood, Ohio, a charming city located in Hamilton County and an enclave of the larger city of Cincinnati. With a population of 19,207 at the 2010 census, Norwood is the third most populous city in Hamilton County. Originally settled as an early suburb of Cincinnati in the wooded countryside north of the city, the area is characterized by older homes and tree-lined streets.
Norwood has a rich history that dates back to the Pre-Columbian era people of the Adena culture. The Norwood Mound, a prehistoric earthwork mound built by the Adena, is located in Norwood and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Archaeologists believe the mound was used by the Adena for religious ceremonies and smoke signaling. Native American mounds are not uncommon in Ohio and several were located in Downtown Cincinnati at the time of arrival of the first white settlers. However, by 1895, the Norwood Mound was the only remaining mound in the vicinity of Cincinnati.
In 1787, the United States Congress established the Northwest Territory, and John Cleves Symmes, Congressman from New Jersey, purchased 311,682 acres of the territory (the Symmes Purchase), within which the future Norwood is located. One year later, the first permanent settlement on the banks of the Ohio River in what would later become Cincinnati was established. In 1793, General Mad Anthony Wayne led several companies of troops from Fort Washington in Cincinnati to advance against a hostile tribe of Native Americans encamped on the banks of the nearby Millcreek in what is now St. Bernard. Historians believe that a company of troops under the direction of General Wayne made their way through Norwood during this campaign and widened an old Native American trail, which followed the path of present-day Smith Road, Montgomery Road, and Carthage Avenue.
In 1866, the first tracks of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad were completed, connecting Loveland with Cincinnati. The tracks ran from east to west through Sharpsburg and still exist in the same location today, parallel to the Norwood Lateral Expressway and passing under the Montgomery Road overpass. The village did not initially have a train station when the railway opened, but the possibility of passenger rail access to Cincinnati generated interest in developing a residential subdivision nearby. In 1869, Sylvester H. Parvin, Col. Philander P. Lane and Lemuel Bolles purchased the William Ferguson farm north of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad tracks and platted an eighty-one-acre subdivision they called Norwood Heights. This was the first recorded use of the name Norwood in the area.
The arrival of the passenger railroad proved to be the catalyst for rapid population growth in Norwood, as Cincinnatians could now work downtown and comfortably commute to their homes in the suburban countryside. Within a few years after the opening of the Cincinnati, Lebanon and Northern, several train stations were constructed in Norwood along the route. The Hopkins Station, located at 4226 Montgomery Road, is the last of these buildings still standing.
Today, Norwood is a vibrant city with plenty to offer visitors. The city is home to a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions, including the Norwood Community Center, which offers a range of programs and activities for all ages. Visitors can also explore the city’s rich history by visiting the Norwood Mound or taking a walking tour of the city’s historic homes and buildings.
Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or just looking for a charming getaway, Norwood, Ohio is the perfect destination. Come explore all that this hidden gem has to offer and discover why Norwood should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
