Westport is not — and never was — a “city.”
But in 1959 — a year before the US census put our population at 20,955 — we were named an “All America City.”
The honor — bestowed by the National Municipal League and Look magazine — was for “progress achieved through intelligent citizen action” during 1958.
A banner reading “All America City” was raised on a flagpole at then-new Parker Harding Plaza. Westporters proudly displayed posters, bumper stickers and flags.
On February 26, 1959, the Town Crier published a special edition about the award. It noted the 6 areas of competition: “governmental structure, rational land use, tax reform, education, refuse disposal and a sound police organization.”
Among those sending congratulations: President Eisenhower, Senator Thomas Dodd, Governor Abraham Ribicoff, and former Governor John Davis Lodge.
Of course, Lodge had a special reason to be pleased: He lived in this All-America City.
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50 Years Ago This Week:
The newly formed Westport Transit District announced that its first public hearing would be held December 10 in the “Town Courtroom,” at police headquarters.
The primary topic would be to consider the purchase of 9 minibuses and other equipment, along with plans tied into the proposed bus routes
A Westport Minnybus, at its Jesup Green hub.
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