George Washington visited Westport (then part of Norwalk) at least 3 times.
In 1780 he is said to have discussed war strategy with the Marquis de Lafayette and Comte de Rochambeau at the Disbrow Tavern (where Christ & Holy Trinity Church is today). He returned twice in 1789 as president, coming and going on an inspection tour of the Northeast. He spent 1 night at the Marvin Tavern — located on the Post Road, opposite King’s Highway South — but did not have a bang-up time. In his diary, he called it “not a good house.”
A plaque commemorating one of those visits — dedicated in 1932, on the bicentennial of the Father of Our Country’s birth — was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
I was pretty sure at least a few readers would guess the wrong tavern: Marvin’s “not good” one.
But every one who knew it was a tavern nailed it. The old Disbrow site is where the plaque rests — 246 years after Washington’s visit, and 94 years after it was dedicated.
Congratulations to Todd Ehrlich, Pat Saviano, Andrew Colabella, Morley Boyd, Seth Schachter, Wendy Schaefer, John Lisée, Amy Schaefer, Jonathan McClure, Janet Navon and Matt McGrath. You know your history!
But do you know the site of another historical marker? This one is not Washington-related. It’s from 1806 — 7 years after he died.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The former Westport Bank and Trust on the corner of Charles and Franklin in Saugatuck.
The fire station in Saugatuck.
The Bank of America Building – 126 Maim Street
Bank of America is on the Post Road, not Main Street – is that what you mean?
The old fire station on Art 33 which is now where OKO is located.
Oops I mean the B of A on the Post Road!
Bank of America building next to the old Post Office. The 1806 inscription can’t be a build date as the building is not that old so I don’t know what it refers to. I’m sure some savvy 06880 reader knows.
Bank of America building on the Post Road
pretty certain this is the Bank of America building – post road
It is the Bank of America building on the Post Road. And, as Morley notes, it’s not an 1806 structure. So where does the date come from? Inquiring minds want to know …
Ancient address?
Didn’t that building used to house Connecticut National Bank in the 1960s-1970s? According to Google, CNB used to the the Bridgeport Bank, which was founded in 1806. Maybe it is to commemorate the founding of the bank (and not the building).
I knew an 06880 reader would solve the date mystery. Thanks for your excellent spade work, Ed!