Earlier this week, I posted a story about Deej Webb’s great new book about F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s memorable 1920 sojourn in Westport. The central thesis is that those 5 months influenced everything else the famous author wrote — including “The Great Gatsby.”
Webb’s “Boats Against the Current” is filled with fascinating photos — notably several of Frederick E. Lewis’ 175-acre property that later became Longshore.
There were references too to Lewis’ lighthouse. It may have inspired some of the scenes in The Great Gatsby.
I’ve posted the photo below before. But I erroneously identified it as showing a big bash at Longshore. In fact — according to Webb — this is “a glittering summer party, complete with band, at the Lewis estate.” It certainly does look Gatsby-esque.
There’s also this fascinating map, drawn in 1921 by noted artist John Held.
Held included the lighthouse (right above the words “Long Island Sound”).
Check out the enormous boat sailing up the Saugatuck River, just south of downtown.
And — if you’re really eagle-eyed — you’ll notice that Held misspelled Bridge Street as “Brigde.”
What else stands out? Click “Comments” below.