Today’s Friday Flashback comes courtesy of Pam Docters. She writes:
I took a great walking tour of Winslow Park last weekend. With mild temperatures and beautiful fall foliage, Nicole Carpenter, assistant director of the Westport Museum for History & Culture, took us through the fascinating history of the original Winslow House, then the construction and eventual destruction of the Westport Sanitarium.
Many old-time Westporters remember the Winslow House on the Post Road at Compo Road North, encircled by the original iron fence that still stands.
Westport Sanitarium, at the corner of Post Road East and Compo Road North. (Photo courtesy of Bob Gault, via Facebook)
Situated on 100 acres, the Sanitarium consisted of many buildings, including an immense greenhouse. It was the first building to burn down (allegedly by a vagrant, but I’ve always heard it was our own local teen hooligans).
Nicole pointed out where it is possible to still trace the buildings’ foundations, the “valley” where the manmade pond (for boating and fishing) was located, the hill composed of building remnants after they were burned down in the early 1970s, and even the original fire hydrant, inscribed with the year 1891.
Another view of the Sanitarium. (Photo courtesy of Bob Gault, via Facebook)
Although most patients seem to have been there to recover in the bucolic surroundings (their records are long gone), a few colorful histories from the early 1900s were recorded.
A cousin of the noted Vanderbilt family was committed for interacting with his imaginary friends. He later sued the Sanitarium for kidnapping, but the court ruled against him.
Another man was sent there in 1906 for firing his gun at invading “Redcoats” from his nearby home.
A woman was committed for setting fire to the Compo Inn to dispel spirits. She was later released, as it was determined she was suffering from grief following her husband’s recent death.
Contrary to local lore, there is no indication that lobotomies were performed there! Treatments were primarily psychotherapy, shock treatment, cold water baths, and activities like gardening.
The walking paths at Winslow Park are remnants of its days when patients walked the sanitarium grounds. (Photo/Pam Docters)
Thanks, Pam! Here’s a bit more background:
The original mansion was built by Henry Richard and Mary Fitch Winslow in 1853. He was a state senator and representative.
Named Compo House, the palatial home was surrounded by guesthouses, servants’ and gardeners’ quarters, and gorgeous gardens.
Winslow House, in its heyday.
Former president Millard Fillmore was a visitor. Extravagant fireworks were shot off there every July 4th.
By the early 1900s, it had become the Westport Sanitarium.
Richard Winslow’s Compo House.
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This is a great share!
Great story! I was one of those teenaged hooligans that spent hours touring the gorgeous building – never tire anything down though but I did take a book from the old library that had Westport Sanitorium stamped in it
Great memories. I remember as a small child being fascinated and spooked by the old Sanitorium. My parents told us what the building was used for. And directly across the street, the tall brick wall that surrounded Barons South. Both were points of fascination and imagination. I had forgotten what it looked like until you posted these pics!
I remember the Sanitarium, but also Hallbrooke on Long Lots Rd.
What was Hallbrooke? Don’t remember that.
Hall-Brooke was another sanitarium (later called “psychiatric hospital”). It was on Long Lots Road.
I remember it . I would love to have it back. So beautiful.
It was such a gorgeous building! We were so sad to see it torn down….
It was in very bad shape in the end. (In junior high school, we used to sneak in and hang out there. Oh, the stories …)
I had forgotten about the high brick wall across the street, torn down when the bank was built. I’ve been an early morning, dogless walker in the park since it became town property. It is a beautiful place and a gem in downtown Westport!
Here’s another one. Synanon House on Greens Farms Rd. near South Morningside Dr in the 1960s or 70s. The neighborhood went wild!
That became Greens Farms Academy. The state fought hard to evict Synanon for the town folk hated a drug rehab in their tony town. They finally got them on the single family clause of the lease. Synanon was nationwide but basically, turned into a cult type facility, falling from grace in the early 70’s.