Posted on July 14, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Have you ever found old shoes hidden in odd locations in your house? If so, your discovery may be evidence of a mysterious worldwide superstitious practice. A recent donation of a collection of ancient shoes focused our attention on this strange practice of concealing shoes in buildings. This collection of shoes was discovered in a […]
Continue ReadingPosted on July 13, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
A wonderful recent donation of a photo album with cyanotypes, mostly of Horseneck and other Westport areas. This album belonged to Ella Hargraves Lawton, maternal grandmother of Janet Rodgers. Brother: Robert Elkanah Lawton. They were brought up on a farm in Westport.
Continue ReadingPosted on July 7, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Westport’s Unique Shipbuilding Challenges In the early years, launching boats and conducting business on the Noquochoke (East Branch of the Westport River) was relatively straightforward. Boats were generally of the smaller variety, and the unique locations of launching points and river crossings did little to impact the boatbuilding business. With the advent of the whaling […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 21, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
It doesn’t take long for one to realize that Buzzard’s Bay coastal communities are a special place; pristine, tranquil places filled with charm and nostalgia. The sun-bleached capes and manicured captain’s homes that rim these country lanes remind us of a time when the sea was our connection to the World, and our forefather’s fortitude […]
Continue ReadingPosted on April 21, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Where did they build these ships? There appears to be very little documented evidence of exactly where early boat building took place, it is easy to surmise that many locations along the inland waterways around Westport were extremely well-suited to the building and launching of virtually any sea-going vessel. Head of Westport On either side […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 21, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Dartmouth and Westport Electric Railroad, a passenger line that connected the commercial cities of Fall River and New Bedford, with an important stop at Westport Factory and Lincoln Park. Etta Allen Palmer: “I could drive my horse up to Route 6, and then get on the trolley and take it to Fall River, and then […]
Continue ReadingPosted on January 21, 2016 by Jenny ONeill
Hi-Way Casino, Route 6 Westport, one of Westport’s more glamorous nightclubs of the 1930s-50s. Located between Fall River and New Bedford. Largest night club in new England. Seating 1200 people with private banquet hall. Known for fine floor shows. Owned and operated by Henry O. Gaudreau. Among the many popular jazz bands that played the […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 30, 2015 by Jenny ONeill
By Tony Connors Most sources describing Westport’s split from Dartmouth say something like: “In 1787 Westport separated from Dartmouth and was incorporated as an independent town.” That’s it! But we know that it must have been more difficult than that. Separations are always contentious, involving negotiations, accusations, winners and losers. While this makes the story […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 15, 2015 by Jenny ONeill
The class of 1943 graduated in the midst of the Second World War. Their yearbook tackled themes such as “The Home Front”, rationing, and the farm labor emergency. The Westport Historical Society is fortunate to have a collection of mimeographed letters written to their teacher Catherine Doyle from her advisees of the class of […]
Continue ReadingPosted on December 10, 2015 by Jenny ONeill