Norwell, MA: Town History and Location

Norwell sits along the North River between Scituate, Hanover and Hingham. Here's a short look at its history, plus how dumpster delivery works for Norwell homes. Call or text 508-466-5460 or book online.

Norwell was first settled in 1634 as part of Satuit, the settlement that became Scituate. For more than two centuries, today's Norwell and Scituate were one town.

The western part of Scituate was set off as its own town in 1849 and became known as South Scituate.

In 1888 residents voted to rename the town Norwell, after Henry Norwell, a dry goods merchant who gave money to maintain the town's roads.

Early settlers came for farmland. The town later built a major shipbuilding industry on the North and Northwest rivers, which peaked from the 1700s into the early 1800s. Frigates, schooners, whalers and merchant ships were launched from Norwell yards. The Norwell Village Area Historic District marks the old town center.

Norwell is a residential town with conservation land along the North River and three industrial parks. About 11,351 people lived there at the 2020 census.

Plymouth Dumpster Rental delivers 10 to 30 yard roll-off containers to Norwell for remodels, cleanouts, roofing and construction. Many lots are wooded with long driveways, so tell us about tight turns and overhead branches when you book.

Call or text 508-466-5460, or book at southshoredumpster.com/book. See also our Norwell dumpster rental page.