Black Ducks with Green Farms and a Red Barn!!!

You have green farms along its shoreline, with a black duck falling into its river. Then there is the red
barn that straddles its parkway. These my friends are the definitions of the diverse town of Westport.
Where does one start when it comes to the town of Westport? How about from the beginning. It is here
many years ago that the town's founders and 1st farmers set up farms along its shared ...shoreline with
Long Island Sound. These farmers eventually set up the town's oldest neighborhood called Bankside,
named after these Bankside Farmers. Eventually Bankside took the name of the one of the farmers
named John Green. Thus Green Farms became the name of the town, before moving along to the town
of Westport in 1835. From there the town has grown from a farming community, to industry, onto a
village of arts, to a growing suburban community. The town continues to grow to this day with a
concentration of finance and insurance. Yes there is much work being done in Westport, but there is
also a lot of playing too. The town has a very diverse list of things to do for both is residents and visitors. The
Red Barn Restaurant located just off of Exit 41 on Route 15 has been agkeeper for years. The barn serves
one of the best brunches in the state, as I can attest to. I love it when the Piano Guy plays from the fireplace. More south along the town's Saugatuck River
there is the legendary Black Duck Saloon. The saloon overs its patrons exceptional service, many brews
and great burgers. Oh and did I mention that the duck leans into the Saugatuck, making you feel you are
under the influence before you even sip a brew. This is really true and must feel experience for all. More
restaurants fill up its downtown main street. You can pick from cafes, Italian eateries, and a cupcake
stop along with many other different cultures of food. Back up in the northern end of town an old Nike
site has been turned into an observatory. The Rolnick Observatory on Bayberry Lane offers free viewing
with Its 12.5 Newtonian Telescope. This takes place if the skies are clear on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The
observatory also provides a 25 Obsession Telescope on its lawn that is the largest telescope available to
the public in Connecticut. You can see it all in Westport I guess. Of course let's not forget the town's
beaches like Sherwood Island and its historic Compo Beach. In 1777 the British landed at Compo Beach
and then continued their march north to burn Danbury during the Revolutionary War. There is a Minute
Man Statue just outside the park that pays tribute to the call to arms for that day. Oh and the origin of
the name Compo goes back to the Paugussett Indians. It means, bears fishing ground. How about the
interesting story surrounding Francis Scott Key. No not the writer of the Star Spangled Banner, but his
2nd cousin with the same name. This one is famous for his short story turned movie called, The Curious
Case of Benjamin Button. More famous though for writing, The Great Gatsby. Either way during
Westport's Art Explosion Era the author decided to set up shop and reside here. Many other celebrities
over the years have made Westport their home, as Paul Newman did during the last period of his life. Of
course I have to add a running story. The town offers a summer road running series, as well as its annual
Minute Man Road Race which takes place in late April. Now you know the story of the green farms, a
leaning black duck and red barn that you have always noticed from the Merritt Parkway. Be sure to visit
Westport soon.