Page 22 - James Lane

THE STORY OF WESTPORT

Like many New England towns, Westport’s unique character
can be traced to the town’s roots in Native American tribes.
Local Indians used the beautiful shoreline for their summer
camps and early settlers, charmed by the lovely locale, began
arriving around 1648. The area quickly developed into a

bustling agricultural and trade center with wharves, stores,
taverns and homes during the Revolutionary War, the local
militia played a major role, engaging the retreating British

in a skirmish near Compo Beach where a Minuteman statue
commemorates the event. It wasn’t until 1835 that the region
became incorporated as a town, breaking off from the original
town of Fairfield.

Soon after the turn of the 20th century, Westport was again
discovered, this time by artists, writers and musicians who
flocked to the town giving it a slightly bohemian, charmingly

off-beat quality. The creative influx flourished and theater,
music, art galleries appeared. Likewise and of equal
enjoyment,tennis, boating and golf became popular, and
fine educational institutions were founded. Well established
families brought a beehive of cultural activity & businessmen

flocked to the town’s quality of life.

Today, the population is a comfortable mix of families,

small business owners and commuters, all drawn to the
vitality of a thriving intellectual community. A dichotomy
between affluent suburbia and old New England milieu,
Westport retains all the charm of a small New England town
with the gifts that come along with obtaining the American

dream. Boasting a population filled with exceptional
schools, impressive recreational programs and facilities, a
quintessential main street and a phenomenal host of eateries

and shops all drenched in cosmopolitan flair, Westport offers
something for everyone. A picture perfect marina, wonderful
sandy beaches, a town golf course, pool and skating rink
are just some of this small town’s treasures. Celebrating a
beautiful coastline on Long Island Sound, Westport is ideally

located 45 miles northeast of NYC.