Page 26 - Turkey Hill Road

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.