The Great Colonial Hurricane August 25th 1635

This was the first historical record of an intense hurricane striking New England. The highest winds have been estimated at Category 3 or greater, with winds of 115-plus mph. The storm’s eye passed between Boston and Plymouth causing at least 46 casualties. A 20-foot tidal surge was reported in Boston, ruining farms throughout the area. […]

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Anonymous account of 1938 Hurricane

Horseneck Beach 9/21/1938 The first warning I had of the storm was about 2 P.M. while driving down the Horseneck Road. Half way between Waldo’s place and the Island View Farm, I heard, so I thought, a truck roaring down the hill behind me and I swerved quickly to the right and slowed to allow […]

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The Beginnings of the Westport Cotton Manufacturing Company

Bruce White Most accounts of cotton manufacturing in New England describe a progression from the small rural water-powered cotton-spinning operations, through the larger company town enterprises that extended the spinning of yarn to the manufacture of cloth, to the fully industrialized steam-powered factories of the latter part of the nineteenth century. Despite this trend, however, […]

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Acoaxet Secession, 1926

In 1926 summer residents of Westport Harbor petitioned the State to secede from Westport; they felt that they paid much in taxes but received few services and could not vote (because non-residents) on the Town budget. The Legislature kicked the matter back to the Town, and at a Town Meeting of January, 1926, the proposal […]

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Gun-a-bit

About a century ago there were a number of hunting and fishing camps at various waterside locations in town. One such was subsequently converted into a dwelling. The names of the buildings at the camp may prove of interest. The camp itself was called “Gun-a-bit,” the main house was called “Grin-a-bit,” the kitchen was called […]

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Howe to Roosevelt

Howe was a friend, confidante and adviser of FDR, and FDR in fact did visit Howe at his summer cottage on Horseneck Beach. Howe was early convinced that Roosevelt would be President one day, hence the salutation. FDR did come to Westport and visit Howe. (www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eleanor/peopleevents/pande04.html) We are indebted to Russ Hart for a copy […]

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