Westport, Connecticut

The earliest known inhabitants of the Westport area as identified through archaeological finds date back 7,500 years.[4] Records from the first white settlers report the Pequot Indians living in the area which they called Machamux translated by the colonialists as beautiful land.[5] Settlement by colonialists dates back to the five Bankside Farmers; whose families grew and prospered into a community that continued expanding. The settlers arrived in 1693, having followed cattle to the isolated area.[5] The community had its own ecclesiastical society, supported by independent civil and religious elements, enabling it to be independent from the Town of Fairfield.[6] As the settlement expanded its name changed: it was briefly known as "Bankside" in 1693, officially named Green's Farm in 1732 in honor of Bankside Farmer John Green and in 1835 incorporated as the Town of Westport.[4][7]

Historic map of Westport

Statue of Minutemen on Compo Beach

During the Revolutionary War, on April 25, 1777, a British force of 1,850 under the command of the Royal Governor of the Province of New York, Major General William Tryon, landed on Compo Beach to destroy the Continental Army's military supplies in Danbury.[8] Minutemen from Westport and the surrounding areas crouched hiding while Tryon's troops passed and then launched an offensive from their rear. A statue on Compo Beach commemorates this plan of attack with a crouching Minuteman facing away from the beach, looking onto what would have been the rear of the troops.[9] A sign on Post Road East also commemorates this event.[10]

The Town of Westport was officially incorporated on May 28, 1835, with lands from Fairfield, Weston and Norwalk.[4][11] Daniel Nash led 130 people of Westport in the petitioning of the Town of Fairfield for Westport's incorporation. The driving force behind the petition was to assist their seaport's economic viability that was being undermined by neighboring towns' seaports.[12] For several decades after that, Westport was a prosperous agricultural community, distinguishing itself as the leading onion-growing center in the U.S.[13] Blight caused the collapse of Westport's onion industry, leading to mills and factories replacing agriculture as the town's economic engine.[6]

Agriculture was Westport's first major industry. By the 19th century, Westport had become a shipping center in part to transport onions to market.

Starting around 1910 the town experienced a cultural expansion.[4][14] During this period artists, musicians, and authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald moved to Westport to be free from the commuting demands experienced by business people.[15] The roots of Westport's reputation as an arts center can be traced back to this period during which it was known as a "creative heaven."[4]

In the 20th century, a combination of industrialization and popularity among New Yorkers attracted to fashionable Westport—which had attracted many artists and writers—resulted in farmers selling off their land. Westport changed from a community of farmers to a suburban development.[16][17]

In the 1950s through to the 1970s, New Yorkers relocating from the city to the suburbs discovered Westport's culture of artists, musicians and authors.[14] The population grew rapidly, assisted by the ease of commuting to New York City and back again to rolling hills and the "natural beauty of the town."[4][18] By this time Westport had "chic New York-type fashion shopping"[19][20] and a school system with a good reputation, both factors contributing to the growth.[14][18][19][20][21][22]

By the 21st century, Westport had developed into a center for finance and insurance, as well as professional, scientific and technical services.

According to a publication by the 2010 Census,[23] Westport has a total area of 33.45 square miles (86.6 km²) of which 19.96 square miles (51.7 km²) (59.67%) is land with the remaining area of 13.49 square miles (34.9 km²) (40.20%) water.

Westport is bordered by Norwalk on the west, Weston to the north, Wilton to the northwest, Fairfield to the east and Long Island Sound to the south.

Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods of Westport

• Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices. Saugatuck originates from the Paugussett tribe meaning "mouth of the tidal river"
  • Saugatuck Shores – a curved peninsula surrounded by the Long Island Sound, this area was once part of the town of Norwalk. Today several hundred residents live on the peninsula, which became part of Westport in the 1960s.
  • Saugatuck Island – founded in the 1890s as Greater Marsh Shores, the island was renamed to its current name in 1920 and became a special taxing district on November 5, 1984.
• Westport Village – The area around Post Road and Main Street on and near the Saugatuck River that serves as the center of Westport, with many shops and restaurants. There has been recent growth in the downtown area, including Levitt Pavilion, and Bedford square, a mixed-use development incorporating the Bedford Mansion[27]
• Greens Farms – Westport's oldest neighborhood, starting around Hillspoint Road and ending at Westport's boundary on the east side.[5] Greens Farms has its own post office[28] and train station[29]
• Cockenoe Island (pronounced "KuhKEEnee") – just off the southeastern coast of the town. Cockenoe Island is an uninhabited island that 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[5]
• Old Hill – west of the Saugatuck River and north of the Post Road, 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 Connecticut Turnpike[30]
• Coleytown – Located at the northern edge of town, near the Weston town line. Home to Coleytown fire station, Middle and Elementary school. Named for Farmer Coley, who owned lots of land in this area
• Compo – Located around the main beach in the town, Compo Beach. Compo (Compaug), can be traced back to the early Paugussett tribe and means the bear's fishing ground[31]
• SewTrol – The area containing the Town Sewage Treatment Plant, the Town Animal Control, and the State Boat Launch

View of Saugatuck River from Saugatuck River Bridge

The 2019 US Census reported a population estimate of 28,491 with the median household income at $206,466.[32]

The 2010 US Census counted the total number of households in Westport being 9,573 of which 7,233 (75.6%) were family households.[33] The population density was 1,322.2 inhabitants per square mile (510.5/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, the population of Westport was 92.6% White, 4.0% Asian, 1.2% Black or African American, and 0.1% American Indian. Individuals from other races made up 0.6% of Westport's population while individuals from two or more races made up 1.6%.[34] In addition, Latinos 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; higher than the U.S. average of 24%.

According to the 2000 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 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 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.

In July 2008, 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.[35] In 2018, data from the American Community Survey revealed that Westport was the 9th wealthiest city in the United States.[36]

Comprising 234 acres (0.95 km²), Sherwood Island State Park is located on Long Island Sound 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 Park in Westport; on a clear day the New York City skyline can be seen.[46]

In 1960, Westport purchased Longshore Club Park.

In 2011, Paul Newman's estate gave land to Westport to be managed by the Aspetuck Land Trust.[47]

Compo Beach in Westport

Westport, like Connecticut as a whole, is heavily Democratic. Hillary Rodham Clinton outscored Donald J. Trump by 42 points in 2016. Joe Biden outscored Donald J. Trump by more than 50 points in 2020, marking the best performance for a Democratic presidential nominee in the town in over 60 years.[49]

Westport was one of five towns in Connecticut that backed former Governor John Kasich over Donald J. Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary. Kasich received 1,098 votes (46.19 percent) ahead of Trump who garnered 1,053 votes (44.30 percent). U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas finished third with 165 votes (6.94 percent).[50]

The town switched to a Representative Town Meeting style governance in 1949. The government consists of a three-member Board of Selectmen, a Representative Town Meeting (RTM), a Board of Finance, a Board of Education, a Planning and Zoning Commission, and various other commissions, boards, and committees.

Westport's first newspaper dates back to the printing and publication of the first issue of The Saugatuck Journal on December 26, 1828.[15][60]

Westport is served by both English-language newspapers and news websites including Westport News[61] and WestportNow.[62] The town is also home to a monthly magazine Westport.

Among the many actors, singers and other entertainers who have lived in town is Paul Newman who resided in Westport from 1960 until his death in 2008. His wife, Joanne Woodward, still resides in town.[68][69] Fala (1940–1952), President Franklin D. Roosevelt's dog, was an early Christmas gift from Mrs. Augustus G. Kellogg, a town resident.[70] Actress Grace Carney moved to Westport in 1979, when she became president of United Tool and Die, a company started by her father.[71] She died in the city in 2009.[72] Actress Gene Tierney grew up in Greens Farms.[73] Adult film star Marilyn Chambers grew up in Westport under her given name Marilyn Briggs. Martha Stewart also lived in Westport at her historic estate of Turkey Hill.[74] Jean Donovan, a lay Roman Catholic missioner martyred in El Salvador in 1980 grew up in Westport and graduated from Staples High School. She is honored on the litany of saints by the Lutheran World Federation and by The Anglican Communion. Academy Award winner Sandy Dennis lived in Westport until her death in 1992. Former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb is a resident of Westport.[75] Former FBI director, James Comey, was a long-time resident of the town.[76] Scott and Elda Fitzgerald also lived in Westport around 1920.[77]

• In the television series The West Wing, Josh Lyman is a native of Westport
• Westport was the location of the fictional residence (1164 Morning Glory Circle) of Darrin and Samantha Stephens on the television series Bewitched[78]
• In the sixth and final season of I Love Lucy, the Ricardos and Mertzes leave New York and move to Westport
• The Twilight Zone had one episode called "A Stop at Willoughby", wherein the main character worked in NYC and commuted by train to his home in Westport.[79] It aired on May 6, 1960, and the episode was written by then-Westport resident Rod Serling
• The 1955 film The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit includes a scene where Jennifer Jones meets Gregory Peck at the Westport station
• The Swimmer (1968), a film starring Burt Lancaster, is based on a short story by John Cheever. Most of the film was shot in backyard pool locations in Westport[80]
• The Stepford Wives (1975) filmed in various Westport locations and used a colonial house in the Williamsburg district as the home of the main characters[81]
• Don DeLillo's Underworld (1997) features an ad executive named Charlie Wainwright who in 1961 lives in Westport[82]
• The 1998 production This Is My Father was partly filmed in Westport[83]
• The 2004 film The Girl Next Door was vaguely based on Westport – director Luke Greenfield 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 2 were filmed in Westport[84]
• American Housewife takes place in Westport[85]
• Robert Lawson's children's novel Rabbit Hill depicts a colony of anthropomorphic rabbits living in the countryside near Westport
• In The Last Olympian, the final novel of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, the titular character, Percy Jackson, travels to Westport to visit antagonist Luke Castellan's childhood home
• The Land of Steady Habits is set in Westport

As of 2023, Westport has four sister cities:[86]

• Lyman, Ukraine[87]
• Marigny-le-Lozon, France
• Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
• St. Petersburg, Russia

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