As plans proceed for the renovation of the Inn at Longshore, here’s a look back at a much earlier building. It was called “Longshore House.”
Is this the bones of the building that’s still there? Was it a previous building on the same site? Was it located elsewhere on the property?
Whatever the answer, it was quite a structure. If you know anything about this — which may have been owned by the Cuttings and Lehn families — click “Comments” below.
I’m pretty sure this is the building that stood elsewhere in Longshore until fairly recently. It was the original farm house, and was occupied, I understand, by both families you mention. It subsequently became apartments and, I think, a rooming house, and was eventually allowed to deteriorate. There are a number of vintage postcards of the structure.
It looks like the building that was 3 apartments right next to the half way house.
Yes, agreed, Diane.
There are quite a few buildings/houses on the property. Some are privately owned. Some are town owned. Some are rentals. I think way back there were bungalows and small beach houses, maybe cabanas, I was trying to research and find more information a few years ago. Wish better care was taken of some of the structures and they were still around today. I would love if someone can share more of the history.
I believe I had a very dear friend that lived in this Farmhouse.That’s what it was called…”The Farmhouse” Wonderful memories
That is the house Kathleen. 100%
I also agree with Bill and Diane. There is a photo of this same house in Eve Potts’ book “Westport…a special place” (page 92). Eve describes the photo as “the farm house on the grounds at Longshore in 1898 decorated for the 4th of July.” I remember the house in the location described by others above – what a shame that it fell to the wrecking ball. I recall that it was allowed to deteriorate and was eventually deemed a hazard. Too bad that it met this fate.
The town-sponsored committee organized to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Westport’s purchase of Longshore Beach & Country Club developed a website and blog in 2010 that contained a lot of information about the Inn, golf course and history of the property, including this circa 1880s home that the town converted to apartments. I believe it was known as the Cuttings House and was located where the Cliff Ross halfway house now sits. The Longshore 50th Anniversary website was hosted by the Westport Historical Society (now Westport Museum). Unfortunately, when they updated their website a year or so later, they reneged on their promise to keep the website live. Perhaps all that info and historical photos were archived (the committee donated a large hard drive to the Society) and can be shared once again.
So sorry to hear about that, Scott. Unfortunately, it has become quite clear that the Westport Museum – now more commonly known as the Westport Center for Racial Grievance – has other things on its mind than preserving our history. Just another casualty of the current moment. What a shame.
Morley, a few years ago I donated my aunt’s 1932 Bedford Junior High diploma. After a posting by Dan, and speaking to a former employee, I asked for her diploma back, and thankfully it was sent back to me.This Westport Museum, in my opinion, has nothing to do with the town and the new owner can walk off with EVERYTHING ever donated. I would never, ever give one item to that place! I was very upset about what I read about that museum.
Courtesy of the Wayback Machine.
http://web.archive.org/web/20101210171635/http://www.westporthistory.org/longshore50/
I haven’t clicked through so maybe some of the links are dead ends but perhaps different dates around that time might be productive. Maybe someone could scrape it as rebuild a new website.
Fantastic! Looks like a lot of the links still work. Thanks, Bill.
In 2010 I researched and wrote the history of Longshore from the first settlement to the sale in 1960 to the Town for the 50th Anniversary celebration. The work was sponsored by the Town and the Westport Historical Society. As part of the work, I found that in the vault at the Town Clerk, there was a photo of a c.1855 map of Fairfield County which featured an insert of a building, which I believe was the first “INN” with the caption of A. S. Hamersley Esq. Westport. This map is still hanging in the vault.
I reviewed the 1858 Clerk Map and found that at the same location, as the current Inn, the name A. Hamersley was identified. So I concluded that the building photo on the c.1855 map was probably the INN.
For anyone that wants an email copy of the report on Longshore or an image of the c.1855 map, please contact me.
Hi Bob. I’d love a copy of the 1855 map. You have my email address. Thanks.
Bob, I would very much like to have a copy of the c. 1855 map – jack.whittle@ymail.com
thank you very much
Wendy – sent and if anyone else wants to read, please contact me at rwmailbox@aol.com
I remember the house! The old farmhouse, somewhere in family legend the Sloane’s who I am or another branch of the family lived in the Longshore Inn. I have to do some research to find out. Bill Scheffler where are you now?