No matter where in town Dave Matlow went, he found soon-to-be-demolished homes to photograph.
Now, wherever he goes, he finds their replacements.
This week, Dave’s images take us to the northeast corner of town.
It’s a neighborhood of some of Westport’s oldest homes, and split levels and Colonials built from the 1950s on.
Like the rest of town, things change. Check out these 4 roads below.
Woody Lane, October 2007 …
… and June 2026.
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Cross Highway, June 2010 …
… and June 2026.
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Silent Grove, June 2007 …
… and June 2026.
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Bayberry Lane, December 2005 …
… and June 2026.
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These pictures break my heart
Mine, too.
Me as well.🙏
Me too!
I have a comment on the Woody Lane house. The newer design feels a bit soulless compared to the original. It goes on and on and on and on! It’s not a good look. I know I’ve been criticized for being too harsh with some of the new homes in town, but I have to be honest.
And pray tell us why, Mr. Backiel, do you “have to be honest?”
Exactly. Give it a rest dude. Your lack of impulse control is glaring at all of us. We’re blinded by you and its not our truth truth but a foolish version from you that we all are tired of. Your truth is your truth not for all of us. Get a grip on your impulses please. Its obnoxious . We dont need to hear you so much. And I could see less how your blowhard responses come in. Blocked! We don’t care.
BJ, Three others had negative reactions/comments.
Attention all you would-be Ada Louise Huxtables: Cue the outrage. Lament the passing of the old. Denigrate the new. Start the knee-jerk reactions.
Something can be new without being ugly. That Woody Lane house is just ugly, like they spilled all the pieces out of a box and left them where they landed.
I don’t think those parts on the left and right are neighboring properties. So besides the weird angles, there is one set of shutters on the whole building? And that little bit if brick? It makes no visual sense.
I don’t think the faux barn on Cross Highway works – but maybe that is a personal taste thing.
Silent Grove looks pretty nice and is a vast improvement on what it was. Bayberry is meh, but the old version was sub-meh.
Mr. Brunetti, Lies require maintenance. You have to remember what you said, to whom, and keep the story straight. The truth just… stays the same. You’ll only get the truth from me!
I’d like to make one more comment. I just wonder what’s going to happen when it’s time to sell? Will there be a bidding war on Woody Lane, or will perspective buyers just say something like, “ I’ll pass. Show me something else.” Like I’ve said before, if you built or bought a house in Westport since 2021, you’re going to lose money when you go to sell it. Maybe people won’t mind losing a few thousand , or more.
Jack Backiel: Architecture Critic. Real Esate Expert. Mind Reader. Giver of the Truth. Financial Prognosticator. All on display in one paragraph! It boggles the mind.
Every comment on Woody Lane has been negative, and Chris Grimm’s was much , much harsher than mine! Perhaps BJ will psychoanalyze him like he did me. He’s tired of negative comments!! 😊
Then and now makes me so sad. I’ve lived in Westport on and off since 1969 and remember some of these old houses where people I knew lived. Westport had a singular character defined by its residents, merchants and homes. Where did it all go?
All around me I see Coastal Living signs. I guess this is what people want now….. but where is Westport’s soul?
Coastal Living 🤦♀️
Social media is so uplifting.
Looking forward to the reunion in August. My classmates would never behave like we do on this blog. Be thankful you’re alive. Westport isn’t like Lyman.
I hate to think Dan has put all these houses and neighborhoods
In his blog just to have you criticize.them I think he’s showing us how Westport has changed, every home is a a potential tear down.
No more charming “New England “ homes
Some of the houses torn down were truly eye sores
Charm or no charm you have only chutzpah to call a house that someone has chosen , possibly built with a good deal of hard earned cash, ugly. It’s not yours. It’s someone’s home. Someone has chosen to buy and live in it
While we’re at it let’s see your house