The real estate boom that began in the first days of the pandemic shows no sign of slowing.
Newcomers are not just buying. They’re renovating their properties. So are longtime residents, who — stuck inside their homes for months — decided to finally redo their bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens.
Do you know how long you have to wait for a marble splashback these days?
Things were much simpler a couple of centuries ago.
Westport historian Deej Webb found this fascinating of the way we once lived. It’s a great shot, of a different time.
Deej does not know where this home was located. But he’s betting that someone in Westport does.
If you’ve got any idea, click “Comments” below. Ideas about where the home was, that is — not about any renovations needed.
PS: Looking at the 2 folks in the doorway, someone might be able to date it too.
Possibly the Post Road approaching what is now Birchwood Country Club and the distant background is the view looking well past the river. The topography seems to match what’s in the pic.
Looks like the old Burchee’s farm house up off of Red Coat Road.
No visual clues as to location. Re timing, I’d guess 1890s. There are no utility wires or anything else signaling the 20th century (like a tractor, maybe), yet Eastman’s Kodak camera was introduced in the 1880s meaning even someone living the boonies could have their picture taken.
There are 3 clues in the picture. There’s the architecture of the house, the clothes the people are wearing, and the fact that there’s a mailbox, even though the house looks isolated.
Another thought. This house looks very much like many farmhouses that used to be out in Easton and which were all destroyed to build the Reservoir in the late 1930s.
Possibly on Roseville on right going north. House is white and still stands but has been expanded so it doesn’t resemble the historic image. However, another historic image of the same Roseville house (with people posing in the same spot is circulating out there. I seem to recall that the house belonged to the Batterson family.
If you look behind the house, slightly to the left, it looks like there’s a barn in the distance. Also, the house is fairly close to the dirt load, and there might even be wagon tracks in the dirt. I’m still fascinated by the shape of that mailbox. I obviously have too much time on my hands.
I that home located at 70 Turkey Hill?
The lay of the land might suggest the northern part of Town based on the open fields which don’t appear to be farmed. The narrow chimney might indicate that the house has a wood stove for heat rather than a fireplace.
The couple are dressed in their Sunday best (as they would be for a photo.)
Her clothes are what would have been in fashion in Connecticut around the turn of the century.
Also, the posts supporting the porch are a style favored by builders of homes for the average family, also around the turn of the century.
If this picture was taken around 1900, I doubt it would have been north of Long Lots Road. As the story goes, when my grandfather bought his 7.2 acres on the Post Rd, supposedly he was offered the property around South Turkey Hill for free, as long as he paid the taxes. He turned it down because the property was useless to a farmer due to the steep incline.
I was going to say that “splashback” is something that happens in a bathroom; not a kitchen, where the tiling in back of the countertop are called the backsplash. But…I just read that in the UK, people indeed refer to the kitchen accoutrement as a splashback. So I guess it’s a you say potato…kind of thing.
Ok.. I’m going to nail this one. Look at the design of the pillar holding up the porch roof. That’s a 1910-ish style. If I’m wrong, I’ll humbly apologize and donate $250,000 to 06880!
Agreed! Well done, Jack.
Ok Dan, Gloria and I are ready for your next flashback photo. Bring it on!
I just checked my records. This residence is located at 88 Roseville Road. Known as the Batterson Brotherton House, it was constructed c.1860 and designated as a Local Historic Property in 2007 by the RTM.
I believe that Morley is close but it is not 88 Roseville Road. I have historic photos of 88 Roseville and it is not the same image. However, the house at 110 Roseville Road, down the street, is more likely to be the house. It is the house that is at the stop sign and was built by Peter Lewis in c.1867. There is also a house, once a barn, on the left side of 110 Roseville Road – still standing. The house at 110 Roseville Road has naturally been updated since the photo, but the porch, chimney, etc are still in the correct place although there is a two car garage on the right side of the front.
No, Bob.
I immediately thought it was a house on the eastern side of Roseville… I can picture it but no idea the number.
If her dress is above the ankle/calf length, I believe the pic is from the 1930s. It’s hard to tell on my screen if there’s a longer underskirt. If they were not well off, the pic could be from the 40s, & the dress older & kept “nice” for special occasions. Is the stone wall still standing at any of the mentioned address possibilities?
I think it looks like the house on North Ave just south west of the HS…the one that’s right on the road