Last Sunday — when many folks were either at the downtown Fine Arts Festival, Library Book Sale, beach, or otherwise enjoying the delights of a Westport summer — a dozen quickly responded to our “06880” photo challenge.
They knew that Bob Weingarten’s image showed another local gem.
Well, sort of.
His shot of a small white lighthouse-type structure is visible to anyone who looks east over the Saugatuck River, from Riverside Avenue. (Click here for the photo, and all guesses.)
In fact, it was described variously as across from Rive Bistro restaurant, the VFW, a medical office complex and the Saugatuck Rowing Club. Lots of people see it, from lots of different places.
Only Valerie Port, though, described it by where it is, not what it’s across from. She said it’s at “the end of Oak Ridge Park” — a private road off Imperial Avenue.
Kudos to Valerie, plus Jana Moorman, Bobbie Herman, Diane Silfen, Ralph Balducci, Jay Tormey, Sylvia Robinson Corrigan, Mary Ann Batsell, Jonathan McClure, Seth Braunstein, Amy Schneider and Peter Tulupman, for answering correctly.
And thanks for taking time out of such a beautiful day to do so.
Meanwhile, on another gorgeous day, Jeff Manchester and his son were out on a bike ride. They came upon this plaque:
(Photo/Jeff Manchester)
It probably was a momentous occasion, in 1932. In the intervening 86 years though, most Westporters have forgotten it exists.
If you know where you’d find this, click “Comments” below.
It’s on the green at the corner of Old Hill Road and Kings Highway North.
I agree with Tom Tyan
It is at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Church Lane, on the lawn of Christ and Holy Trinity Church..
I agree with Tom Ryan. That would make sense 🙂
Facing Myrtle Avenue by the fence of the Christ & Holy Church
Very impressive, Tom, Bob and Jill. I’m impressed that you knew this!
A June 21, 1959 Westport Town Crier article references the plaque and its placement on the east lawn of the Christ and Holy Trinity Church in 1932:
Excerpts of the article follow:
“According to tradition, George Washington, while en route from Philadelphia to Boston to take command of the Continental Army, stopped at the old Disbrow Inn, which then stood on the present site of the church; he stood underneath the elm which grew before the door of the Inn as he drank from the water of the well close by. This tradition (which is well substantiated by subsequent historical research) marked the old elm as Westport’s oldest and most historic landmark. When the parish was established in 1860, the old tavern was demolished to make way for the church, but the tree was carefully preserved. ”
During the Washington Bi-Centennial Celebration in 1932, the Compo Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution place their bronze plaque at the base of the tree.”
Dan: Are you sure that this plaque is on the green between Old Hill Road and King’s Highway North? Historical references place it on the east lawn of Christ and Holy Trinity Church. There is a plaque on the east lawn of the Church today, which looks like the plaque in the photo challenge.
Jeff Manchester took the photo, and sent it to me. His email said: “Across from the CHT cemetery in the triangle ‘park’ where you turn on Old Hill. It’s hidden in the middle of a clump of trees. My son and I were biking home after school and found this marking a flag pole. Old hill and Kings Highway.”
Perhaps there were 2 plaques placed during the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth? Does the one at Christ & Holy Trinity Church reference the site of the former Disbrow Inn?
There must be two plaques because there is for sure one on the Old Hill green
Yes, I believe the one at Christ and Holy Trinity church references the Disbrow Inn.
I lived on Edgehill Ln. I remember seeing it in my travels around tbe neighborhood.