Our Friday Flashbacks usually offer places and things — restaurants, stores, trolleys, Compo Beach bathhouses, and so much more — that no longer exist.
Today we explore 2 that never were.
Through the magic of AI, Nick Wiener offers a pair of what-might-have-been images. Both were hotly debated, more than half a century ago.
In the 1960s, United Illuminating wanted to build a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island.
You read that right: nuclear power, a mile off Westport’s shore.
You can read that fascinating story here. Today, we present an AI-generated look at what a large group of active residents (and intrepid Westport News editor Jo Fox Brosious) averted:
Thankfully, Cockenoe still looks like this today:
(Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Not far away on the mainland, a handsome home stood for decades on Gorham Island.
(Photo/Peter Barlow)
It was a charming sight, just off Parker Harding Plaza.
Until a very large office complex was planned to replace it.
(AI images provided by Nick Weiner)
Thankfully, that was not ultimately built.
This was:
It’s easy to lament what we’ve lost over the years.
It’s also important to consider some of what we might really lament today.
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Jo Fox Brosious owned FairPress and became a good friend of mine. I met her because she took in one of my six week summer students from Spain. For a few years working with Spanish Heritage from Queens, NY, I brought over students and placed them in Westport homes. I wonder if anyone reading this comment might have known someone who had a student? I can’t think of her name, but I know there was a Staples teacher who knew Dan Woog who was somewhat familiar with this program and possibly helped out. I’m vague on the details because this was late 1960s and early 1970s.
When I saw this Friday Flashback, my initial thought was there was no way Jack Backiel could turn it around and make it about him.
I should have known I’d be wrong.
‘Enough about you, let me tell you about me.’
Simon, My comment mentioned Jo Fox Brosious because she was mentioned in Dan’s post. Also in my comment, students and a Staples teacher was mentioned. Dan touches on a few subjects in his posts, so sometimes the people he mentions have a connection others. If you want to talk about your Polish heritage, feel free. I won’t complain. By the way, your last name is the 8th most popular Polish name.
One thing I’ve learned about 06880 is to always lower your expectations, especially whenever Jack comments.
So what Ryan just wrote was he learned to lower his expectations about 06880, and especially with my comments. So you always lower your expectations no matter who comments? You don’t like hearing about town from someone who might have insight from 123 years ago? How long you been in town,?
Lowering expectations isn’t about who comments. It’s about what the comments actually show. You’re still trying to make this about you and acting like the town froze in the 1950s. It’s 2026. People live here now, not in whatever version of 06880 you’re still attached to. It’s just pattern recognition when the comments keep sounding like that. I’ve been here long enough to know the difference.
Something else that never was: Hall and Oates concert at Longshore 1985 celebrating Westports 150th b’day!! LOL..And a not so fun fact, the handsome house on Gorham Isl. became the scene of a murder.
Dave the office building that dozed the home is haunted 👻👻👻
I have a comment. It’s amazing how much people react to me. The day before the Compo beach party, Dan posted a post reminding everyone. No one commented Then, the day of the party at 6:15 pm, fifteen minutes after the party started, a woman named Hailey posted a comment with my name. I answered with a funny response as to why I wasn’t at the party. But what struck me was why this woman ,that I don’t even know, who is at Compo Beach, thinking about me and writing a comment? Why are you thinking about me? Then there’s Helen, who I don’t know, told me to “ leave us alone” when I commented about the logs. Who is included in the “us?” Then there’s the most recent one from Simon, when I commented, once, about the lady who owned FairPress and had an enormous impact in Westport. I could name many more examples, but maybe, people shouldn’t be paying so much attention to me. Have a great weekend everyone , and only 364 more days until the next Compo Beach party.
I don’t mean this to be offensive, but in the interest of trying to be helpful since you asked, social media and the internet don’t provide the normal social cues one might receive in real life. IRL (as the kids would say) if someone was rambling on, after perhaps listening politely for a bit, people’s eyes might glass over, folks might interrupt and change the subject, folks might wander away, folks might simply avoid you, your spouse might kick you, etc. – basically cues that you might want to do something differently.
On the Internet, there are no good ways for individuals to provide that sort of feedback short of, basically, indirect snarky or more direct “please stop” comments. While it would tend to be rude to do that face to face, the internet, because of lack of normal social cues, tends to promote rudeness.
I could easily be wrong, but that’s my guess.
Bill, One of the things I get criticized for is posting 4 or 5 comments on a single subject. But sometimes it’s a learning experience for the readers. I bet my comments about John Gudzik Sr. was a learning experience. How many knew Mary Kowalsky was Mary Gudzik before she married Paul Kowalsky? I give comments about Westport 40, 50 , 70 120 years ago. I was shocked when Mr. Grant informed us that Poor Town Road was the old name of Roseville Rd before it was changed in the mid 1930s But it made sense because Westport had a poor element to it during the Depression. There was a Poor House on or around Compo Rd. There was an economic divide in town. These facts should be known and not forgotten.
Exactly my point. One person’s “learning experience” is someone else’s eye roll and boring story. I mean seriously – how many people do you think care that Mary Kowalsky was previously Mary Gudzik before she married Paul Kowalsky?
If you think there are “facts that should be known and not forgotten”, maybe write a book like other Westport historians and those who care will read it. Put your Mary Gudzik story there.
Respectfully, you need to figure out a better way to “read the room”.
Nuke plants are so ’60s. Continuing in the 21st Century spirit of 8-30g A.I. :
Welcome to **Cockenoe Cay**, an exclusive waterfront condominium community nestled on the tranquil shores of Cockenoe Island.
Sweeping panoramic views of Long Island Sound create a setting that is both inspiring and restorative. Floor-to-ceiling black-framed windows and expansive private terraces have been thoughtfully designed to capture the ever-changing beauty of the water—from sailboats gliding across sparkling blue afternoons to brilliant autumn skies reflected in the calm evening tide.
Cockenoe Cay offers the rare opportunity to enjoy island living without sacrificing convenience. Whether your perfect day begins with coffee overlooking the Sound, a leisurely walk along the shoreline, an afternoon of boating or kayaking, or simply watching ospreys soar overhead, every moment is framed by nature’s finest scenery.
Beyond your front door, beautifully landscaped grounds, private waterfront gathering spaces, and thoughtfully curated amenities foster a relaxed yet refined lifestyle. Every detail has been designed to complement the island’s natural beauty while providing the comfort and sophistication expected of a premier Westport address. Prices in the $3Ms, by appointment.
…
(I like the osprey reference!)