[2] The Detroit architectural firm of Lyndon and Smith was originally chosen to design the subdivision.

However, Maynard Lyndon, one of the firm's principals, moved to California in 1942, and subsequent design work was done by Augustus O’Dell, Hewlett & Luckenbach.

[2] The original occupancy of the Norwayne subdivision was restricted to war workers and military personnel whose income was under a specific level.

[2] After the end of World War II, the federal government decided to sell houses to individual residents, with preference given to veterans.

In 1948, the local township took over operation of water and sewer services for the subdivision, and in 1953, sales of individual homes began.

[2] Over the years, home ownership declined and some units deteriorated further, earning the neighborhood the pejorative name, "Shacktown.

The Norwayne Historic District is bisected by Venoy Road, which runs north–south; Grand Traverse Street, which meanders roughly east–west, serves as a main trunkline for the neighborhood.

Streets in the subdivision are primarily curvilinear, following the Federal Housing Administration guidelines published in the late 1930s.

The district includes these residential structures, as well as the former Lincoln and Jefferson-Barns Elementary Schools (both closed in 2010), the Community Church, Dorsey Center, and the commercial buildings located along Venoy.

The duplexes contain two mirror-image units, with entrance doors in the front facade at opposite ends.

The houses have gable roofs, and most units have vinyl or aluminum siding applied over the original clapboard.

[2] The Norwayne Community Church is located at the southeast corner of Grand Traverse Street and Dorsey Road, atop a small but prominent rise.

It is a two-story T-shaped structure built from block, with a gabled roof and a small square belfry.

Both school buildings are single-story brick structures, with wide flat roofs and a T-shape construction to accommodate both daycare and classrooms.