Page 30 - Long Brochure Berkeley

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.