Page 26 - Berkeley_1
P. 26

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.
                                                 Convenient to both I-95 and the Merritt
                                                      Parkway,  and boasting 2 train stations,
                                                          Westport offers easy access to major
                                                              employment centers and cultural
                                                                   opportunities from Manhattan

                                                                        to New Haven and
                                                                              beyond.
   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28