Most Friday Flashbacks have back stories.
This does not.
At least, not yet.
The other day, this photo appeared on Facebook:
(Photo courtesy of Paul Ehrismann)
There was no other information. Nothing about when the shot was taken, or where exactly near Compo Beach the inn was located.
I’ve never heard of it. (The Compo Beach Inn is not to be confused with the Compo Inn, a larger structure that stood for many years at the corner of Post Road West and Ludlow Road.)
I found nothing online — just the same photo, on eBay.
If you know anything about the Compo Beach Inn, click “Comments” below.
Bonus points to anyone who actually went inside.
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Almost looks like it could be 15 Soundview Drive, corner of Norwalk and Soundview. The old Bob Gault home.
Interesting that there is a bat in the logo. Curious why…
I am, too.
I was just about to write that. The landscape looks right.
Anyone want to guess, after looking at the structure, what year it might have been built?
No
No clue, but the bat logo is rather intriguing.
I read the logo that the name is Bat Inn the location is
Compo Beach
Westport, CT 06880
Of course, searching for Bat Inn yielded no results.
The eBay listing shows the back of the postcard, which was mailed from Westport to Corning, NY. The green 1c Washington stamp was seemingly in use from 1912 to 1925.
The original Batman house. With those dates it would be Fedric Wahne, philanthropist friend of Morris Jesup, Bruce Wahne’s grandfather–most likely.
Took a bit on ChatGPT, but came up with this:
“Ah, I see now! You’re asking specifically about the Bat Inn at Compo Beach in Westport.
Yes, the Bat Inn was indeed an actual establishment located near Compo Beach in the early 1900s. It was a popular resort hotel and a significant local landmark from the late 1800s into the mid-1900s.
History of the Bat Inn:
The Bat Inn was situated at the intersection of Compo Road South and the beach, close to the water. It was known for its wooden architecture, a large wrap-around porch, and its distinctive bat-shaped roof that gave it the name “Bat Inn.”
This quirky design made the inn stand out among other accommodations in the area and contributed to its fame.
The hotel was popular in the early 1900s, attracting visitors who were looking for a charming, seaside retreat during the summer months. It also served as a gathering spot for social events and parties, particularly in the warm weather.
Over time, as newer accommodations and developments grew in the area, the Bat Inn faded from prominence and was eventually demolished.
Unfortunately, not many photographs or detailed records of the Bat Inn survive today, but it remains a part of local lore, especially among older Westport residents.
It was a quaint, beloved spot in its time, often remembered fondly by those who experienced it…”