Norwood

Norwood has been on the map since the 1880s. It began as a cattle round-up spot for people around Wright's Mesa to bring their cattle to, to get branded from 1880-1885. As the last big stop before Telluride, it was a popular spot which eventually got it's own post office and store and was officially named Norwood, after Norwood, Missouri where one of the founders, Henry Cobb, was originally from. The log cabin that served as the post office and general store is still standing today, although it has been moved. It was originally by the gas station but was moved by the library. It is in really good condition, especially considering it's age.

Every year in September Norwood has a Founder's Day Parade. This parade has been going on for 76 years in a row. In 2012 the town started the first annual Renaissance Festival. Complete with jousting, plays, bow and arrow competitions, a may pole, and more.

All around Norwood there is some very pretty scenery. The town itself though doesn't do much for me. It doesn't have the welcoming feel as many other small mountain towns of Colorado does. Driving through Norwood there is no real draw to stay and it seems as if you pass only a local motel and a few other businesses and then you're back out again.

For a town of only 519 residents, there are a few more restaurants than you'd expect. The average household income here is $37,541 while the median home price is $207,732, both of which are below the state average. 83% of the population is white, with the largest number working in the construction industry.

The schools in Norwood rate above average when it comes to state testing standards and this town seems like it would be a good place to raise children.

Norwood is a cool little mountain town on HW 145 kind of in the middle of "no-where" Colorado. The closest town for shopping is Montrose over an hour and a half away. The remote Uncompahgre National Forest surrounds the little fertile oasis that is Norwood. Norwood shares the valley with neighboring Redvale to the NW and both towns are within the shelter of the desert canyon walls of the San Miguel River Canyon on the Unaweep/Tabaguache Scenic and Historic Byway (HW 145).

The town sits at about 7,000 feet and there are vistas all around SW Colorado and even into Utah's La Sal range to the west when you are up on the mesas above town. Norwood's most prominent geological marker is the 12,700 foot Lone Cone visible to the south. Old Ute Indian hunting ground, Norwood is a really special place and if you can brave the isolation this would be an amazing place to buy property.

In Norwood you will find cattle ranchers, outdoor maniacs, mountain men (and women), fishermen, windsurfers, and folks that like the old west vibe.