Ferry Lane West — the official but seldom-used name of the road running along the eastbound side of the Westport railroad station parking lot — is a well traveled road.
But in their rush to get to or from trains, few folks look around.
Those that do might notice — and wonder — about the long and high brick wall rising next to them.
And, it seems, only a few people have noticed the good-sized red wooden door, set deep into the wall.
That door was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
Andrew Colabella, Scott Brodie, Seth Schachter, Dan Vener, Lynn Untermeyer Miller and Michael Simso were the very observant readers to correctly identify the mysterious door. (Incorrect guesses included the Kings Highway North cemetery, Viva Zapata, and a Compo Beach bathroom.)
The 1,675-foot long wall was built as part of a privacy agreement, when the Cockeroft family sold some of their estate to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad.
Over time, their handsome home — built around 1890, and accessible via a steam launch from New York City — deteriorated.
Around 1950, Lawrence Langner of the Theatre Guild, Lincoln Kirstein of Lincoln Center and arts patron Joseph Verner Reed tried to build an American Shakespeare Theatre and Academy on the property. Proximity to the train station was a major piece of the plan.
The price for all 21 acres: $200,000.
But many residents objected. There were also concerns that it would draw audiences away from the Westport Country Playhouse. (Others argued that a Shakespeare Theatre would enhance the town’s reputation as an arts community.)
The theater was never built here. It opened in the aptly named town of Stratford, Connecticut in 1955, and was moderately successful until ceasing operations 30 years later.
In 1956 Westporters Leo Nevas and Nat Greenberg, along with Hartford’s Louis Fox, bought the property for residential development, called Stony Point.
Little remains of the original estate. But the brick wall — and that odd, little noticed door — is still there. (Click here for more details.)
Here is this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Richard Hyman)
(If you enjoy our weekly Photo Challenge — or anything else we post — please consider a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” Just click here. Thank you!)
new team markers at Longshore!
Like Robert Caro in “The Power Broker,” Dan, you are explaining in this post why Westport looks the way it does. More please. You have no higher calling.
Great story Dan! How different things would be if we had a Shakespeare Theatre in town?
I think it would be great to have a “Westport Shakespeare Festival” during the summer. ie One night each week a different shakespearean play would be performed at the Levitt. I think that would draw a lot of people and be great fun for the community. Curious to see what other people think of that idea.
Our friends and Bud’s business colleague, Jack and Francis (Paci) Martin lived behind the door in Stony Point. For years, Bud parked there and commuted with Jack. Then they moved to Santa Fe and we lost a great parking spot and wonderful friends. Their home was the original stable and the hitching posts remained in their kitchen, even after remodeling..
As a kid, my parents took me to see Katherine Hepburn in Merchant of Venice at the Shakespeare theatre in CT. Might have been around the opening. My Fairfield uncle, Harry Neigher, must have gotten us tickets. I have never forgotten that event.
Roz Siegel
Wesport museum for History and Culture (aka Historical Society) ?????
The Martins lived at 2 Stony Point. I parked my car there for 15 years without having to get a Westport Parking Pass. John, also known as Jack, was a great friend and colleague and Paci, also known as Francis, was terrific as she included me in the daily breakfast she served the family: bacon, eggs and toast. Thanks to them, I did not know the Commuter Coffee Shop actually existed until they moved to New Mexico. There are a million stories around that house and property and it was very special, as were the Martin family.
Bud Siegel
I hate to nit-pick but the road alongside the south side of the RR station is actually Ferry Ln. Ferry Ln. West is across Saugatuck Ave. where Gault is currently located..
Thanks, Dave. I learned something today!
Mr Eason, can you provide any updates to the community on your unofficial investigation into the recent racial incidents that have taken place in the WPS system?
Grass this nice, and a logo sold heavily and worn from the first tee, iI’m going with Longshore Tee Marker.
Fred and Andrew, you scored this one: Longshore tee markers is right.
A fitting one on Masters weekend! I see you’ve already revealed the answer…tee marker at Longshore.
A tee marker at Longshore but they only use them for special events.
This weeks statue looks like Minute Man Hill