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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.