Westport, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Neighborhoods
- Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices.
- Greens Farms – is Westport's oldest neighborhood starting around Hillspoint road and ending at Westport's boundary on the east side.
- Cockenoe Island – just off the southeastern coast of the town. Cockenoe Island was purchased by Westport for $212,740 from the United Illuminating Company in 1969 so that the company could not use the land to build a nuclear plant.
- Old Hill – west of the Saugatuck RiverSaugatuck RiverThe Saugatuck River is a river in southwestern Connecticut in the United States. It drains part of suburban and rural Fairfield County west of Bridgeport, emptying into Long Island Sound.-Description:...
and north of the Post RoadBoston Post RoadThe Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts that evolved into the first major highways in the United States.The three major alignments were the Lower Post Road The Boston Post Road was a system of mail-delivery routes between New York...
, a historic section of town with many homes from the Revolutionary and Victorian eras. Prior to the road being called the Boston Post Road it was called the Connectiocut Turnpike.
- Coleytown – Located at the northern edge of town, near the Weston town line. Home to Coleytown fire station, Middle and Elementary school.
- Compo – Located around the main beach in the town, Compo Beach
Flooding
A total of 26 percent of town residents live within the 100-year floodplain, and homes and businesses located near the water can become flooded in extremely intense storms. Many other communities along the Connecticut shoreline have flood-prone areas, but Westport has been cited as an example of a town that has taken more action than others in mitigating the problem.In one storm on December 11, 1992, when a Nor'easter
Nor'easter
A nor'easter is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada...
struck the state, many cars parked at the Westport railroad station were immersed in water. "Very strong easterly gales of 55 mi/h created by the storm caused severe coastal flooding in Westport and several other communities," according to the Association of State Floodplain Managers. "The Compo Beach and Saugatuck Shores areas of Westport were especially hard hit with virtually every building in both areas being inundated."
A total of 22 homes were raised higher starting in the mid-1990s with some help from state grants, and the town has taken other flood protection measures, including the installation of 16 combination staff gauges and evacuation signs, as well as the publication of a disaster preparedness brochure. These made Westport "the first community in Connecticut to have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan" for flooding.
The town also has enacted tough regulations on home renovation and construction in flood-prone areas. Homeowners or businesses that build additions or renovations to their buildings in flood-prone areas must elevate the structure to one foot above the Base Flood Elevation if their renovations or additions exceed 50 percent of the fair market value of the property in any five-year period.
Another flood which hit the town on October 20, 1996, resulted in no damage to the original seven elevated homes, although several dozen others, not elevated, were flooded again. Ideas for preventing more flooding, such as construction of a berm near Compo Beach, were shelved in the mid-1990s, as they were considered too expensive. To this day, employees of the town's Guests Services division of the Parks and Rec office place sandbags along Soundview Drive twice a year to prevent any further flooding.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 26,644 people, 9,586 households, and 7,170 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,286.7 people per square mile (496.8/km²). There were 10,065 housing units at an average density of 503.0 per square mile (194.2/km²).
According to the 2010 Census
2010 census
The following countries conducted a census in 2010:* Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China* Russian Census * 2010 United States Census...
, the population of Westport was 1.2% Black or African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 92.6% White
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 4.0% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, and 0.1% American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. Individuals from other races made up 0.6% of Westport's population while individuals from two or more races
Multiracial American
Multiracial Americans, US residents who identify themselves as of "two or more races", were numbered at around 9 million, or 2.9% of the population, in the census of 2010. However there is considerable evidence that the real number is far higher. Prior to the mid-20th century many people hid their...
made up 1.6%. In addition, Hispanics
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
of any race made up 3.5% of Westport’s population. About 29.8% of Westport residents were younger than age 18 as of 2010; lower than the U.S. average of 24%.
According to the 2000 Census
2000 Census
The following countries conducted a census of the general population in 2000:* Costa Rica, the ninth federal census, conducted at irregular intervals* Indonesia* United States, the 22nd decennial federal census...
, there were 9,586 households, of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.8% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the town was $147,391, and the median income for a family was $176,740. As of the 2000 Census, males had a median income of $100,000 versus $53,269 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $73,664. 2.6% of the population and 1.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 2.7% are under the age of 18 and 2.1% are 65 or older.
Westport was named the fifth top-earning city in the US, with a median family income of $193,540 and median home price of $1,200,000 in July, 2008.
Prehistoric Settlement
Green's Farms is the site of the earliest reported settlement dating back 4,000 years.Early Settlement
Colonists settled along the Saugatuck River in 1639.Five farmers known as the "Bankside Farmers
Bankside Farmers
The Bankside Farmers were a group of five men who established themselves along the Long Island Sound south of Fairfield, Connecticut in 1648. The area is now known as Greens Farms, a section of Westport, Connecticut....
" in the fall of 1648 purchased coastal land within an area that today is known as Green's Farms from the Machamux Native Americans. Native Americans called the area of Westport Machamux or beautiful land. The Bankside Farmers constructed an ecclesiastical society separate from that of the town of Fairfield that included civil and religious elements.
Revolutionary War period
On April 25, 1777 a British force under the command of the Royal Governor of the Province of New York, Major General William TryonWilliam Tryon
William Tryon was a British soldier and colonial administrator who served as governor of the Province of North Carolina and the Province of New York .-Early life and career:...
landed at Compo Beach to demolish Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
military supplies in Danbury
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
. Tryon's troops were attacked by Minutemen
Minutemen
Minutemen were members of teams of select men from the American colonial partisan militia during the American Revolutionary War. They provided a highly mobile, rapidly deployed force that allowed the colonies to respond immediately to war threats, hence the name.The minutemen were among the first...
from Westport and the surrounding areas upon landing. To commemorate the attack a statue of a Minuteman that faces away from the beach recalling how the Minutemen hid until they could attack Tryon's troops from the rear was erected on Compo Beach during the twenth centry. 1,850 British soldiers marched to Danbury in what is known as Tryon's
William Tryon
William Tryon was a British soldier and colonial administrator who served as governor of the Province of North Carolina and the Province of New York .-Early life and career:...
Raid, and razed it, resulting in the Battle of Ridgefield
Battle of Ridgefield
The Battle of Ridgefield was a battle and a series of skirmishes between American and British forces during the American Revolutionary War. The main battle was fought in the village of Ridgefield, Connecticut on April 27, 1777 and more skirmishing occurred the next day between Ridgefield and the...
.
1800s
Westport was officially incorporated as a town on May 28, 1835 with land taken from FairfieldFairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, Weston
Weston, Connecticut
Weston is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The population was 10,179 at the 2010 census. The town is served by Route 57 and Route 53, both of which run through the town center. About 19% of the town's workforce commutes to New York City, about to the southwest.Like many towns in...
and Norwalk
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
. For several decades after that, Westport was a prosperous agricultural community, which distinguished itself as the nation's leading onion-growing center.
1920-1930s
"Interest in Westport had developed far and wide" prior to the 1929 stock market crash.1940s
During the Second World War Westport formed the Westport Defense Unit in 1941. Later that year on December 8, the town completed an air-raid drill; followed the next year with a total blackout air-raid drill state wide along the coast. In 1943 the Cuseo family of Westport was recognized as having more sons, eight in total, serving in the military than any other.1950-1960s
In the late 1950s, the construction of a Nike missile base in Westport became the inspiration for the comedic film Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!. The launch site has since been demolished and the radar site is now the location of the Rolnick ObservatoryRolnick Observatory
Rolnick Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Westport, Connecticut, operated by the Westport Astronomical Society. It is named after Gerry Rolnick, a co-founder of the Westport Astronomical Society and the engineer who ground the reflective mirror in the telescope. The observatory is...
, a public astronomical facility. Bedford Middle School now sits atop the demolished Nike missile base.
The town was made famous by the I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
television show, as it is where Ricky and Lucy Ricardo (played by Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is probably best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to...
and Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
) moved after purchasing their new home. ("I Love Lucy" writer Bob Weiskopf was from Westport.)
Government
The town government consists of a three-member Board of Selectmen, a Representative Town MeetingTown meeting
A town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule, used primarily in portions of the United States since the 17th century, in which most or all the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government....
(RTM), a Board of Finance, a Board of Education, a Planning and Zoning Commission, and various other commissions, boards, and committees.
Westport Public Schools
Staples High SchoolStaples High School
Staples High School is a public secondary school, that opened on April 26, 1884 located in the town of Westport, Connecticut, USA. Staples High School is named after its founder Horace Staples who founded the school in 1884. The school was first located at Riverside Ave. and moved to its current...
, Westport's only public high school, was ranked by Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazine in 2005 as 452nd on a list of the best 1,000 high schools in the country (Grades 9 to 12) with 1,800 students. In the 2008-2009 school year Staples was also ranked the #1 school in Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine.
In September 2009, Bedford Middle School was awarded the government-honored Blue Ribbon Award
Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
.
The district has two middle schools (Grades 6 to 8) – Bedford Middle School and Coleytown Middle School – with a total of 1,321 students. There are five elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 5) with a total of 2,556 students:
- Coleytown Elementary School
- King's Highway Elementary School
- Green's Farms Elementary SchoolGreens Farms SchoolThe Greens Farms School in Westport, Connecticut was built in 1925 and received an addition in 1950. It was designed by architect Charles Cutler in a Tudor Revival style, and is a fine example of such style. It is the only Tudor Revival school building in Westport...
- Saugatuck Elementary School
- Long Lots Elementary School
There are a number of preschools in Westport, including Stepping Stones Pre-school, Greens Farms Nursery School, Saugatuck Nursery School, Earthplace Nursery School and the YMCA Childcare.
For the 2009-10 fiscal year, the school district's adopted budget is $110.6 million.
The school district had an estimated $109.1 million budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, giving it an average per pupil expenditure of $16,266. The average 2010 class size for kindergarden through first grade was 22 students and 25 students for second through fifth grade.
Private education
- Greens Farms AcademyGreens Farms AcademyGreens Farms Academy is a K-12 independent preparatory co-educational day school in the Greens Farms section of Westport, Connecticut, drawing 650 students from numerous towns of central southern Fairfield County. Greens Farms Academy is located on a campus near Long Island Sound, a salt marsh and...
, located in the 1920s Vanderbilt estate overlooking Long Island SoundLong Island SoundLong Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
, is a K-12 private preparatory school located in the Greens Farms section of town. - Pierrepont School, located on Sylvan Road, opened in that location in 2002. Pierrepont is a private K-12 school for gifted students.
Attractions
- Earthplace, The Nature Discovery CenterEarthplaceEarthplace, The Nature Discovery Center is a natural history museum, nature center and wildlife sanctuary located at 10 Woodside Lane in Westport, Connecticut.-Features:...
, is a natural historyNatural historyNatural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
museum, nature centerNature centerA nature center is an organization with a visitor center or interpretive center designed to educate people about nature and the environment. Usually located within a protected open space, nature centers often have trails through their property. Some are located within a state or city park, and...
and wildlife sanctuary located at 10 Woodside Lane. The organization is dedicated to the promotion of public environmental education, preservation and conservation. Activities include maintaining a 62 acres (250,905.3 m²) open space wildlife sanctuary with trails, presenting public nature education programs, a water quality monitoring program, wildlife rehabilitation, an interactive nature discovery area, a nursery school and summer camp.
- The Bradley-Wheeler HouseBradley-Wheeler HouseThe Bradley-Wheeler House, also known as the Charles B. Wheeler House, is an historic house located at 25 Avery Place in Westport, Connecticut.On July 5, 1984, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places....
is a VictorianVictorian eraThe Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
period historic house museum operated by the Westport Historical Society. Located near Town Hall at 25 Avery Place, Wheeler House features a gallery for changing exhibits related to Westport's history and culture. The property includes a seven-sided barn that houses the Museum of Westport History. Open seasonally, exhibits include a model of Westport in the 1860s, a model railroad train, photos and artifacts about the town's industries, agriculture, history and famous residents.
- The Westport Public LibraryWestport Public LibraryThe Westport Public Library in the town of Westport, Connecticut, was originally established on February 4, 1886, by a group of enthusiastic book-lovers who formed the Westport Reading-Room and Library Association...
features changing displays of art from area artists.
- Comprising 234 acre (0.94696524 km²), Sherwood Island State ParkSherwood Island State ParkSherwood Island State Park is a park on the shore of Long Island Sound, in the Greens Farms section of Westport, Connecticut.It covers of beach, wetlands and woodlands...
is located on Long Island SoundLong Island SoundLong Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
and includes beach access. Compo Beach and Burying Hill Beach are municipal beaches that are open to out-of-town visitors in the summer for a fee. The state's 9/11 memorial was put in Sherwood Island State ParkSherwood Island State ParkSherwood Island State Park is a park on the shore of Long Island Sound, in the Greens Farms section of Westport, Connecticut.It covers of beach, wetlands and woodlands...
in Westport; where on a clear day you can see the New York City skyline.. On September 11, 2001, two Westport residents were killed in the terrorist attacksSeptember 11, 2001 attacksThe September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
of that day: Jonathan J. Uman, 33, and Bradley H. Vadas, 37. Both were in the World Trade CenterWorld Trade CenterThe original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
.
- The Rolnick ObservatoryRolnick ObservatoryRolnick Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Westport, Connecticut, operated by the Westport Astronomical Society. It is named after Gerry Rolnick, a co-founder of the Westport Astronomical Society and the engineer who ground the reflective mirror in the telescope. The observatory is...
, operated by the Westport Astronomical Society, is open to the public for free on clear Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The observatory is located at 182 Bayberry Avenue, on a former Nike missile site.
Theater & Culture
- The Westport Country PlayhouseWestport Country PlayhouseWestport Country Playhouse, is a not-for-profit theater in Westport, Connecticut. Under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos the Playhouse produces new and classic plays for the public....
, founded in 1930, is a regional theater known for its excellent theatrical performances. After Paul Newman moved to Westport in the 1960 he became a principle "driving force" behind the playhouse reported as "one the country’s most respected summer theaters." The playhouse went through a renovation process that was completed in 2005 on its seventy-fifth anniversary.
Famous places and events of Westport
- It was also the fictional residence (1164 Morning Glory Circle) of Darrin and Samantha Stephens on the television series BewitchedBewitchedBewitched is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for eight seasons on ABC from 1964 to 1972, starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York and Dick Sargent , Agnes Moorehead, and David White. The show is about a witch who marries a mortal and tries to lead the life of a typical suburban...
. The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
had one episode called A Stop at WilloughbyA Stop at Willoughby"A Stop at Willoughby" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. Rod Serling cited this as his favorite story from the first season of the series.-Synopsis:...
where the main character worked in NYC and commuted on the train to his home in Westport. It aired on May 6, 1960, and the episode was written by then-Westport resident Rod SerlingRod SerlingRodman Edward "Rod" Serling was an American screenwriter, novelist, television producer, and narrator best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his science fiction anthology TV series, The Twilight Zone. Serling was active in politics, both on and off the screen and helped form...
. - One of the most popular tracks on REO SpeedwagonREO SpeedwagonREO Speedwagon is an American rock band. Formed in 1967, the band grew in popularity during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. Hi Infidelity is the group's most commercially successful album, selling over ten million copies and charting four Top 40 hits in the US...
's eponymous debut album, released on Epic Records in 1971, was "157 Riverside Avenue." The title refers to the Westport address in which the band stayed during the recording process. - In the musical RentRent (musical)Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème...
, Benny is married to Alison Grey of Westport, who comes from a wealthy family. - In the television series The West Wing, Bradley WhitfordBradley WhitfordBradley Whitford is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his roles as Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman on the NBC television drama The West Wing, as Danny Tripp on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, as Dan Stark in the Fox police buddy-comedy The Good Guys, as...
plays Josh Lyman, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, who comes from a wealthy family from Westport.
On the National Register of Historic Places
- Bradley-Wheeler HouseBradley-Wheeler HouseThe Bradley-Wheeler House, also known as the Charles B. Wheeler House, is an historic house located at 25 Avery Place in Westport, Connecticut.On July 5, 1984, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places....
— 25 Avery Pl. (added August 5, 1984), home to the Westport Historical Society. - Compo-Owenoke Historic District — Roughly bounded by Gray's Cr., Compo Rd. S. and Long Island Sound (added May 19, 1991)
- Godillot PlaceGodillot PlaceGodillot Place, also known as the Lyman Building, is a building in Westport, Connecticut that was built in 1879. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977....
— 60, 65 Jesup Rd. (added September 29, 1977) - Green Farms School — Jct. of Morningside Dr. S. and Boston Post Rd. (added May 19, 1991)
- Kings Highway North Historic DistrictKings Highway North Historic DistrictThe Kings Highway North Historic District is a historic district in Westport, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.In 1998, it included 106 contributing buildings and four other contributing sites....
— Roughly along Kings Hwy. N, from Wilton Rd. to Woodside Ave. (added September 10, 1998) - Mill Cove Historic DistrictMill Cove Historic DistrictMill Cove Historic District is a historic district in Westport, Connecticut. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991...
— Between Compo Mill Cove and Long Island Sound (added May 19, 1991) - National Hall Historic DistrictNational Hall Historic DistrictThe National Hall Historic District is a historic district in Westport, Connecticut that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It then included 10 contributing buildings.Significant buildings in the district include:...
— Riverside Ave., Wilton and Post Rds. (added October 13, 1984) - Saugatuck River BridgeSaugatuck River BridgeThe Saugatuck River Bridge is a bridge in Connecticut carrying Route 136 over the Saugatuck River in Westport. The bridge, built in 1884, is the oldest surviving movable bridge in Connecticut and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The total length of the bridge is with a deck...
— CT 136 (added March 12, 1987) - Saugatuck River Railroad BridgeSaugatuck River Railroad BridgeThe Saugatuck River Railroad Bridge, also known as Saugatuck River Bridge, is a railroad bridge carrying trackage of Metro-North railroad's New Haven Line over the Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut...
— Metro-North RailroadMetro-North RailroadThe Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
Right-of-way at Saugatuck River (added July 12, 1987) - Shambaugh HouseShambaugh HouseThe Shambaugh House in Westport, Connecticut was built in 1923 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999....
— 12 Old Hill Rd. (added May 9, 1999) - Westport Town Hall — 90 Post Rd. E. (added June 18, 1982)
Prominent companies
- Bridgewater AssociatesBridgewater AssociatesBridgewater Associates is an American investment management firm founded by Ray Dalio in 1975 and is reported to be the world's largest hedge fund company with $122 billion in assets under management. The company has 270 clients including pension funds, endowments, foundations, foreign governments...
, a global investment managerInvestment managementInvestment management is the professional management of various securities and assets in order to meet specified investment goals for the benefit of the investors...
is the largest employer in Westport. The company has about 900 employees spread between its 1 Glendinning Place headquarters, a nearby building, the Nyala Farms Corporate Center, and a building on the Saugatuck River. Presidential candidate John McCainJohn McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
visited Bridgewater Associates on a campaign trip in 2008. - Canaan PartnersCanaan PartnersCanaan Partners is a multi-billion dollar global venture capital firm focusing on investments in early stage companies in the technology and healthcare sectors....
, a leading early stage venture capital firm focusing on IT and life sciences. Canaan is located on Riverside Avenue, less than 1 miles (1.6 km) from the Westport train station. - dLifeDLifedLife is the first integrated media network for people living with diabetes, their families, and those at risk of developing diabetes. dLife was established to address the overwhelming consumer need for real, practical solutions to the 24/7 challenge of managing diabetes vs. episodic clinical...
, a multimedia diabetes education (and marketing) company with a weekly television program on CNBCCNBCCNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
. - Playtex Products Inc.PlaytexPlaytex and PlayTex are a brand and trademark. It used to be associated with bras and women's undergarments. Currently there are two separate companies with the Playtex name....
(PYX) – used to have its headquarters at 300 Nyala Farms Road; the company is concentrating on feminine, infant, and skin care products, selling off brands that don't fit those categories; its brands include Playtex tampons, the No. 2 brand in the country behind Procter & Gamble's Tampax; brands acquired since 1994 include Banana Boat, Wet Ones, Mr. BubbleMr. BubbleMr. Bubble is a brand of bath products made by The Village Company. The brand is currently the #1 brand of bath products according to AC Nielsen Data. The brand's slogan is "Makes Getting Clean Almost as Much Fun as Getting Dirty!". In 2011 Mr. Bubble celebrated its 50th birthday.-History:Mr...
, Ogilvie, Binaca, Diaper GenieDiaper GenieDiaper Genie, a creation of entrepreneur John Hall, is a baby diaper disposal system. The unit consists of a large plastic container with a plastic lid. The system seals diapers individually in a scented film to protect against germs and odors. By opening the lid on the top of the canister, a...
and Baby Magic; Douglas Wheat, the former chairman, owns about 33% of the company through his investment firm Haas Wheat & PartnersHaas Wheat & PartnersHaas Wheat & Partners is a private equity firm focused on leveraged buyout transactions. The firm targets specialty middle-market manufacturing, distribution and service companies, particularly family-controlled companies and corporate spin-outs....
, another 20 percent is owned by investors ed by merchant banker Richard BlumRichard BlumRichard Blum may refer to:*Richard C. Blum, American investment banker and husband to Dianne Feinstein*Richard Manitoba, born Richard Blum, American musician with the MC5 and The Dictators...
(husband of U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein); 1,250 employees companywide, 200 of them at the Westport headquarters; net sales of $643.8 million in 2005; CEO Neil Defeo (older brother of the Terex CEO Ronald M. DeFeo, whose offices are also in town) - TerexTerexTerex Corporation is an American-based diversified global manufacturer of a broad range of heavy equipment for a variety of industries, including construction, infrastructure, quarrying, recycling, surface mining, shipping, transportation, refining, utility and maintenance...
, a Fortune 500Fortune 500The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 U.S. closely held and public corporations as ranked by their gross revenue after adjustments made by Fortune to exclude the impact of excise taxes companies collect. The list includes publicly and...
company that makes equipment for industries including construction, infrastructure, quarrying, recycling, surface miningSurface miningSurface mining , is a type of mining in which soil and rock overlying the mineral deposit are removed...
, shipping, transportation, refining, utility and maintenance, and it offers financial services to assist in the acquisition of Terex equipment; 17,600 employees companywide, 91 in Connecticut; $6.4 billion in 2005 revenues; CEO Ronald M. Defeo (younger brother of the Playtex CEO Neil DeFeo, whose offices are also in town)
Prominent companies once in Westport
At one point Business Express AirlinesBusiness Express Airlines
Business Express Airlines , often referred to simply as Business Express or BizEX was an American regional airline founded as Atlantic Air in 1982. In an effort to appeal with its predominantly business commuter clientele, the airline assumed the Business Express name in 1985...
had its headquarters in Westport.
Media
Westport's first newspaper dates back to the printing and publication of the first issue of The Saugatuck Journal on December 26 1828.Westport is served by both English-language newspapers and news websites including Westport News and WestportNow, as well as the Westport Minuteman. The town is also home to a monthly magazine Westport.
Transportation
Interstate 95Interstate 95 in Connecticut
Interstate 95, the main north–south Interstate Highway on the East Coast of the United States, runs in a general east–west compass direction for 111.57 miles in Connecticut from the Rhode Island state line to the New York State line. I-95 Southbound from East Lyme to the New York State...
, the Merritt Parkway
Merritt Parkway
The Merritt Parkway is a historic limited-access parkway in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The parkway is known for its scenic layout, its uniquely styled signage, and the architecturally elaborate overpasses along the route. It is designated as a National Scenic Byway and is also listed in the...
and U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Connecticut
In the U.S. state of Connecticut, U.S. Route 1 is a major east–west state highway along Long Island Sound. It has been replaced by Interstate 95 as a through route, which it closely parallels, and now primarily serves as a local business route...
, as well as the Saugatuck River
Saugatuck River
The Saugatuck River is a river in southwestern Connecticut in the United States. It drains part of suburban and rural Fairfield County west of Bridgeport, emptying into Long Island Sound.-Description:...
, run through Westport.
Westport has two train stations, Green's Farms
Green's Farms (Metro-North station)
Green's Farms Metro-North Railroad station is one of two New Haven Line stations serving the residents of Westport, Connecticut. The station is located in the Greens Farms area of Westport in the southeastern part of town, and the technically-incorrect apostrophe in the station name dates to New...
and Westport
Westport (Metro-North station)
The Westport Metro-North Railroad station is one of two New Haven Line stations serving the residents of Westport, Connecticut...
on the Metro-North Railroad
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
's New Haven Line, which serves Stamford and Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
or New Haven-Union Station. This line is shared with Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
trains as it is part of the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
, but no Amtrak services stop at Green's Farms or Westport. The nearest Amtrak stations are at Bridgeport
Bridgeport (Metro-North station)
The Bridgeport Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of Bridgeport, Connecticut and its surrounding towns that do not have a Metro-North stop like Trumbull, via the New Haven Line. The station is the transfer point between the Waterbury Branch and the Northeast Corridor mainline...
(10 miles) and Stamford (12 miles).
Westport station is the more widely used of the two, even among people living geographically closer to Green's Farms, mainly because more trains stop there. The wait for a parking sticker at the Westport station is now nearly four years long.
Notable people
For a much longer list, see: List of people from Westport, ConnecticutAmong the many famous actors, singers and other entertainers who have lived in town is Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
(until his death in 2008).
Fala (1940–1952), President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's dog, was an early Christmas gift from Mrs. Augustus G. Kellogg, a town resident.
Actress Gene Tierney
Gene Tierney
Gene Eliza Tierney was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed as one of the great beauties of her day, she is best remembered for her performance in the title role of Laura and her Academy Award-nominated performance for Best Actress in Leave Her to Heaven .Other notable roles include...
grew up in Greens Farms.
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart is an American business magnate, author, magazine publisher, and television personality. As founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she has gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, and merchandising...
also lived in Westport for a time.
Literature and film
Westport has been the subject, inspiration, or location for written and cinematic works.- In the popular book series, Percy Jackson and the OlympiansPercy Jackson and the OlympiansPercy Jackson & the Olympians is a pentalogy of adventure and fantasy fiction books authored by Rick Riordan. The series consists of five books, as well as spin-off titles such as The Demigod Files and Demigods and Monsters. Set in the United States, the books are predominantly based on Greek...
by Rick RiordanRick RiordanRichard Russell "Rick" Riordan, Jr. is an American author best known for writing the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. He also wrote the Tres Navarre mystery series for adults and helped to edit Demigods and Monsters, a collection of essays on the topic of his Percy Jackson series...
, the main antagonist, Luke Castellan, formerly lived in Westport.
- In 1911, part of the film The Charity of the Poor was filmed in Saugatuck followed up the next year, in 1912, with the film In Time of Peril.
- Two films partially filmed in Westport during the 1950s include the 1956 movie, The Man in the Gray Flannel SuitThe Man in the Gray Flannel SuitThe Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, by Sloan Wilson, is a 1955 novel about the American search for purpose in a world dominated by business. Tom and Betsy Rath share a struggle to find contentment in their hectic and material culture while several other characters fight essentially the same battle,...
, with Gregory PeckGregory PeckEldred Gregory Peck was an American actor.One of 20th Century Fox's most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s, Peck continued to play important roles well into the 1980s. His notable performances include that of Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which he won an...
, based on the book by Sloan WilsonSloan WilsonSloan Wilson was an American author.-Reporter:Born in Norwalk, Connecticut, Wilson graduated from Harvard University in 1942. He served in World War II, serving in the United States Coast Guard, commanding a naval trawler on the Greenland patrol and an army supply ship in the Pacific Ocean.After...
which was itself based in Westport, takes place in part and was filmed in parts of Westport. In particular, shots of the Westport Saugatuck train station can be seen, as well as a sequence towards the end of the movie showing a still recognizable Westport Main Street in the late 1950s. Followed up by the 1958 production of Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! is a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Max Shulman, directed by Leo McCarey, starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, and released by 20th Century Fox...
.
- The 1968 film The SwimmerThe Swimmer (film)The Swimmer is a 1968 American film directed by Frank Perry and starring Burt Lancaster. The surreal, allegorical tale is based on the 1964 short story by John Cheever, adapted by Eleanor Perry, the director's wife...
starring Burt Lancaster and based on a short story by John Cheever, was partially filmed in Westport backyard pools.
- The 1972 the local filmmaker Sean Cunningham shot The Last House on the LeftThe Last House on the Left (1972 film)The Last House on the Left is a 1972 horror film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Sean S. Cunningham.The story is inspired by the 1960 Swedish film The Virgin Spring, directed by Ingmar Bergman, which in turn is based on the 13th century Swedish ballad "Töres döttrar i Wänge"...
which was his first feature film. Three years later the 1975 production of The Stepford WivesThe Stepford Wives (1975 film)The Stepford Wives is a 1975 science fiction–thriller film based on the 1972 Ira Levin novel of the same name. It was directed by Bryan Forbes with a screenplay by William Goldman, and stars Katharine Ross, Paula Prentiss, Peter Masterson, Nanette Newman and Tina Louise...
was released featuring scenes shot in a Williamsburg colonial house in Westport.
- The 1998 production This Is My FatherThis Is My FatherThis Is My Father is a 1998 Irish-American film directed by Paul Quinn.- Plot :The film portrays a tragic love story set in late 1930s Ireland, focusing on the relationship between Fiona Flynn , a beautiful, feisty seventeen-year-old from a middle class family, and Kieran O'Dea , a shy labourer in...
was partly filmed in Westport.
- The film The Girl Next Door was vaguely based on Westport - director Luke GreenfieldLuke GreenfieldLuke Greenfield is an American film director. Greenfield was born in Manhasset, New York and was raised in Westport, Connecticut. He is best known for directing The Animal and The Girl Next Door. In July 2007, he appeared as a guest judge on the filmmaking reality show On the Lot...
grew up in town. It was filmed and set in California. That same decade parts of the 2008 production of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is a 2008 sequel to the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. The original cast , return to star in the movie, which was directed by Sanaa Hamri...
were filmed in Westport
Significant nonprofit institutions
- Save the ChildrenSave the ChildrenSave the Children is an internationally active non-governmental organization that enforces children's rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries...
, the American charity, governed entirely separately from the British charity of the same name, is based in Westport, with about 200 employees working in its headquarters.
Sister cities
Westport currently has three sister citiesTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
: Marigny, France
Marigny
-People:* Enguerrand de Marigny, , chamberlain and minister of Philip IV the Fair* Philip de Marigny, half-brother of the other; Archbishop of Sens...
St. Petersburg, Russia Yangzhou, People's Republic of China
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
For further reading
- Klein, Woody. "Westport, Connecticut: The Story of a New England Town's Rise to Prominence". Westport: Greenwood Press, 2000.