Tag Archives: Sherwood Mill Pond

Pic Of The Day #1927

Posted on July 27, 2022 | 2 comments

Sherwood Mill Pond (Photo/Sunil Hirani)

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Tagged Sherwood Mill Pond

Pic Of The Day #1911

Posted on July 11, 2022 | 3 comments

Sherwood Mill Pond (Photo/Sunil Hirani)

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Posted in Beach, Environment, Pic of the Day

Tagged Sherwood Mill Pond

Friday Flashback #302

Posted on June 24, 2022 | 1 comment

As beach season begins — and the newly retro-named Old Mill Grocery prepares to reopen — it’s time to look at Old Mill Beach, back in the day.

Seth Schachter sent a fascinating postcard, from his vast collection. Click on or hover over to enlarge:

There is so much to see here: the meadow (foreground), where homes now stand.

The channel (now filled in) that runs from Sherwood Mill Pond toward a pair of homes (or sheds?), long ago demolished or destroyed by storms.

Old Mill Beach itself — back then, just rocks or grass.

The handsome stand of trees.

The narrow strip of land on the north side of Old Mill Road. Were the houses there now built on landfill?

I wonder too who took this “bird’s-eye view” — and how? Was it from Compo Hill, or a low-flying airplane?

So much has changed at Old Mill in the century or so since this photo was taken. But from the pedestrian bridge and the “grist mill” house , on out to Compo Cove, the scene seems timeless.

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Posted in Beach, Friday Flashback

Tagged Compo Cove, Old Mill Beach, Sherwood Mill Pond

As Westporters wait for the final announcement that Elvira’s Deli has been saved — it’s coming soon! — and at the same time gnash our teeth over the stuck-in-zoning-infraction-limbo large residential construction that replaced Positano’s/ Cafe de la Plage across the street — we keep hearing references to “Allen’s.”

From 1890 through the 1990s, Captain Walter Allen’s clam house on Sherwood Mill Pond — a few yards from the long-lived market — was one of our town’s go-to restaurants. It was the perfect place for shellfish, seafood, and killer water views, while celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and anything else.

Allen’s Clam House, in the 1940s.

A list of Westporters who had their first dates there would be a window on town history.

Westport artist Hardie Gramatky painted this view of the Mill Pond, from the back of Allen’s Clam House

Today, Allen’s is the site of the town-owned Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve. With natural grasses and plants, a wide variety of wildlife, a kayak launch — and the same killer views — it’s a wonderful use of the property.

Aerial view of Allen’s Clam House. (Photo courtesy of Dave Stalling)

But it sure was nice to have it — and Positano’s — as a pair of waterfront restaurants for all those years.

Rear view of Allen’s, on the Mill Pond. (Photo/Matt Murray)

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Posted in Beach, Environment, Friday Flashback, Restaurants

Tagged Allen's Clam House, Sherwood Mill Pond

Pics Of The Day #1820

Posted on April 11, 2022 | 1 comment

Sherwood Mill Pond morning … (Photo/Paul Delano)

… and homes on nearby Hillspoint Road and Compo Hill (Photo/Jenny Johnson)

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Tagged Compo Hill, Hillspoint Road, Sherwood Mill Pond

Photo Challenge #369

Posted on January 23, 2022 | 15 comments

No, Cobb’s Mill Inn has not moved to Sherwood Mill Pond.

That might not be a bad idea — it’s one place as picturesque as the longtime Weston restaurant/event space. From 1934 through 2016, diners enjoyed a waterfall, wildlife, and the ever-changing seasons at the former pond-side sawmill and gristmill.

A “Cobb’s Mill” sign now hangs in Westport. It was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge.

Eagle-eyed “06880” readers — and, obviously, avid nature lovers/walkers — John Richers, Molly Alger, Alfred Herman, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Harry Brady, John Moran and Judy Katz all knew it can be found on the side of Clark Hanford’s house.

He lives in the far corner of the Old Mill Beach parking lot. His house is the funky one on the left — with a tiny electric car in the yard — as you head to Sherwood Mill Pond, and the pedestrian bridges leading to Compo Cove.

I’m not sure how the historic Weston sign ended up in Westport. But it’s fitting that it sits a few yards from another “old mill,” delighting all who pass while reminding us too of both our agricultural and gustatory pasts. (Click here to see Cathy Malkin’s photo.)

Here’s this week’s challenge. If you know where in Westport it is, click “Comments” below.

Hint: It does not come from Weston.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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Posted in Beach, Photo Challenge, Restaurants

Tagged Cobb's Mill Inn, Sherwood Mill Pond

Pic Of The Day #1734

Posted on January 15, 2022 | Comments Off

Sherwood Mill Pond, this frigid morning (Photo/Rick Benson)

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Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day, Weather

Tagged Sherwood Mill Pond

Moody Farewell To A Mournful Year

Posted on December 31, 2021 | 3 comments

Today’s sullen skies are an apt metaphor for this entire gray year.

But “06880” readers are a hardy bunch. We made the best of what we had, every day. We were thankful for little things — including the chance to live in a place with as much beauty and wonder as Westport.

The final day of 2021 was like so many others here. No matter what else goes on, we are drawn to the beach. It’s a place of wonder, no matter the weather.

Here are today’s scenes, captured by 2 “06880” readers.