The house by the Sherwood Mill Pond footbridge leading to Compo Cove is being raised. You can see the work from Old Mill Beach — and far beyond, at Schlaet’s Point on Hillspoint Road.
It’s an iconic Westport site. Originally a grist mill — destroyed at least once by fire — it has been a private residence since the early 1900s. Like its predecessor, the home straddles the water.
Here’s what it looked like in the early 20th century:
Don Willmott found this postcard — with “Compowe” misspelled — in a box belonging to his father, artist Al Willmott. There’s a note on the back, from “Nina” to “Francine.”
It reads: “Father and I went to Compo Beach today. It was lovely. I wish you could have gone with us. I think this is a pretty card. We had some fine ice cream in Westport.”
Another postcard from the same area and era — this one without any misspellings — comes courtesy of Mark Krosse:
You can’t see the “old mill” that gave the beach and neighborhood its name.
But you can sure tell that the scene is timeless.
Why is the house being razed? Will something else go there? I always liked the house in that curious setting but never knew anything about it.
Peter, it’s being “raised,” not “razed.” There’s quite a difference!
Good. I like that!
In my day, the Atkins family lived there. By the way, where did the name “Schlaet’s Point” originate? Again, back in my day, it was part of the Black estate (we lived directly across the street from it) and we called the abandoned and crumbling structure “the bath house.”
Hey Bill, here’s the Schlaet back story: https://06880danwoog.com/2016/02/14/who-was-schlaet/
Thanks Dan! That area (Old Mill Beach, Compo and Bluewater Hill, was the BEST place on earth to grow up!) I was disappointed when my father sold our house and we moved to 112 Roseville which had, perhaps, the most dangerous driveway in Westport (directly across from Whitney Street).
The picture of the house is a “tinted photo” meaning that the original black and white picture was hand-colored, then printed, a common practice back then. Many tinted photos looked pretty phoney but this one is very nice, the color is minimal and subtle giving a classical look when you see it enlarged.
On “Schlaet’s Point” there are a number of 06880 features with this whole story.
TRUE, A.KING AND KATIE ATKIN DID OWN AND LIVE THERE. PETER AKIN OF BLACK DUCK FAME IS THEIR SON. THEY ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER, ANNE. DON’T KNOW HER STORY.