The J.H. Norwood Home

The J.H. Norwood Home. . Part of an old Spanish land grant, this property was owned by Clara D. and C.B. Baird, conveyed to J.W. Walkup, and later sold to Mrs. M.J. Wheaton in 1906. Mrs. Wheaton built her home, consisting of a large kitchen and a large bedroom, on the property. Josiah Hewitt and Ollie Pearl (Cosper) Norwood purchased the home from her on December 1, 1910., J.H. and Pearl were married on November 24, 1909. They had eight children: Hal Ward, Glynn, Freda, J.H. Jr., Fern, twins Mary Margaret and Mildred Louise, and Bobby., Pearl Norwood had a reputation for moving and adding walls to her home as children arrived through the years. A living room, dining room, and an indoor bathroom were added. Porches were enclosed and a south side fireplace was taken out and replaced with windows. The "box" house now has eight rooms., J.H. Norwood built the Norwood Grocery and General Merchandise store in Salado in the early 1920's, which was located at 409 South Main Street, across the street from the Stagecoach Inn. It is still similar to the way it was originally built. He operated the store until the mid-depression years and then began working for Cochran, Blair and Potts in Belton, retiring in 1955., Pearl was active in the Bell County Home Demonstration Club, especially during World War II. She acted and played piano in several community plays, sometimes traveling to nearby towns for performances. Saturday nights were always full of music in the Norwood home, with local musicians dropping in to play some of the latest radio hits. Every Sunday lunch, Pearl was busy frying chicken for as many family members as wanted to come., J.H. (Coot) was an active Mason and officer in the Woodmen of the World. The couple were involved members of the Salado Methodist Church of Salado. They were fondly known to grandchildren as "Towhead and Big Daddy.", After over 55 years of a loving marriage J.H. died on April 30, 1966 and Pearl died on May 8, 1966, only 8 days later., Although no one currently lives in the home, family members still maintain the house and property and relatives gather annually for a Norwood Family Reunion.