As the west side of the Saugatuck River is redeveloped — with new office building, and the recently opened Bankside House — and plans for a redesign of Parker Harding Plaza behind Main Street muddle along, I found this illustration from the 1960s.
I don’t know the artist, though it sure looks like Stevan Dohanos’ style.
It shows the Famous Artists School — of which he was a founding member — and the adjacent Famous Writers School.
Across the river are the backs of Main Street stores. Parker Harding — built on landfill a decade earlier — is barely visible.
To the left is the Victorian house that stood on Gorham Island. It has since been replaced by a large green and gold office building.
In the distance is Bedford Elementary School (now Town Hall) and the spire of Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
What stands out to you? Click “Comments” below.
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50 Years Ago This Week:
A Westport News editorial urged the town of Westport to buy a 9.1-acre parcel at the corner of Greens Farms Road and the Sherwood Island Connector.
Among the reasons: “…by purchasing the property, Westport will then have ample time to change the zoning so as to accommodate a new and smaller corporate headquarters…”
It is unclear whether that land is now the town’s transfer station (with part of the property belonging to private Sherwood Farms Lane), or the parcel across the Connector that is the I-95 Exit 18 commuter park-and-ride lot.
The “smaller headquarters” refers to Westport’s first corporate headquarters: Stauffer Chemical (now Bridgewater Associates) at Nyala Farm, a few yards south on the Connector.
The transfer station and park-and-ride, on both sides of the Sherwood Island Connector.
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Andrew Colabella (front row, center) and friends picked up trash last weekend at the Greens Farms train station.
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Just after 6 p.m. yesterday, the Westport Fire Department, Police Department and EMS responded to a multi-vehicle crash in front of 40 Bridge Street.
One driver was trapped, and required extrication with hydraulic tools. The patient was transported to the hospital.
No other injuries were reported. Be careful out there!
Bridge Street accident. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
Earlier in the day, the Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire on Berndale Drive.
It began when an electric stove knob was bumped accidentally. That activated a burner, which set fire to items on the stove.
“Do not store items on your stovetop,” the department emphasizes.
Berndale Drive kitchen fire. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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Pianist Chris Coogan is a local legend.
He grew up here. He has made Fairfield County his home — and home base for his multi-faceted music career.
Coogan is a world-class jazz pianist; a sensitive and popular accompanist for singers; a powerhouse Gospel pianist, choir director and bandleader; a highly effective and inspiring educator, and an all-around good guy.
Saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall met Coogan shortly after moving to Westport almost 10 years ago. They share a deep spiritual attachment to American music that digs deep into its roots.
Coogan and the Jazz Rabbi join bassist Boots Maleson and drummer Jim Royle for this Thursday’s “Jazz at the Post” (January 12, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; $15 cover; dinner at 7 p.m.).
Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzattthePost@gmail.com.
Greg Wall and Chris Coogan.
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