Since the 1960s, the Post Road East/Roseville Road corner has been known for food.
First Big Top, then Roy Rogers, now McDonald’s — it’s where generations of Westporters have stopped for a quick (first real, then heavily processed) meal.
Previous generations headed to that spot for some slow, important work.
Blacksmith shop next to Roseville Road around 1925. it was torn down in 1928, as part of a road rewidening project. The Linxweilers moved their operation nearby. (Photo courtesy of Peter Morris)
A blacksmith shop stood for years by the unpaved streets. It was owned by the Linxweiler family. Their residence — a few yards west on Post Road East, next to the Fresh Market shopping center — still stands. It’s now part of Homes with Hope’s supportive housing program.
From blacksmitih to Big Top to McDonald’s: progress? Or regress?
And what is that pile of cut wood all about?
Fabulous photo!!! Love it. I think it’s definitely regress.
It’s all downhill from the Big Top!
The cover of the August 16, 1961 NY Times included a fascinating article and photo of Mr. Linxweiler in his blacksmith shop:
https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/08/16/101474138.html?pageNumber=33
Great catch, Elaine. As the story notes, the original blacksmith shop (shown in the photo) was torn down in 1928, to make way for a road rewidening project.
The only thing I remember about Roseville Road are high speed, death defying, trips back to Westport from Vista NY in Vince DePierro’s blue Plymouth catching air at 80 MPH over bumps in road.
Gee, I wonder what you were doing in Vista, NY? Shopping for refreshments, I assume.
World-class market
Bruce… There was the “60 Mile an hour club.” To qualify, you had to drive ALL of Roseville Road at the speed of 60 miles an hour. This was in the mid to late 1950s.
Correct Russell, your intuitive powers are still intact and accurate.
Many thanks to all of you who share these priceless historic tidbits about Westport. You have often helped me find information invaluable to my research.
As an example, thanks in part to comments made over the years by Jack Whittle, I was able to confirm that 251 Main Street and the Italianate home next door where both built by John Lees, third generation of the Lees of Lees Mill fame.
Last evening the P&ZC made a decision that the John Lees House will be preserved into perpetuity by a preservation easement.
Keep those articles and photos coming!
My aunt called them “thank you ma’am’s” as she took the bumps fast enough for us the hit the roof of the car