The town has played a role during many important events throughout history, and is often featured in popular culture, including movies, TV shows, books, songs, and more.
If you’re new in town or would just like to know a bit more about Westport, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few fun facts:
- The British invasion of Danbury took place in Westport’s very own Compo Beach.
- The Minuteman Statue near Compo Beach faces in the opposite direction of the beach to commemorate the Minutemen’s strategy: they hid from the British fleet so they could mount a surprise attack.
- Westport was once featured in one of America’s beloved classic TV programs, “I Love Lucy.” In the show, Lucy and husband Ricky relocated to Westport.
- TV producer and author Rod Serling, who lived in Westport, wrote a “Twilight Zone” episode that featured the town. The episode was entitled “A Stop at Willoughby,” and featured a resident from Westport. It aired on May 6, 1960.
- The band REO Speedwagon stayed in Westport to record their debut album. One of the popular songs from their album, “157 Riverside Avenue,” is named after the place wherein the band members stayed during recording.
- “The West Wing” TV series includes a character that comes from Westport – JoshLyman (played by Bradley Whitford), the White House Deputy Chief of Staff.
- Westport is one of the locations in “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,” a movie based on the book by Sloan Wilson. The town itself served as the filming location for many parts of the movie.
- Film director Luke Greenfield grew up in Westport. “The Girl Next Door,” one of his films, is based on the town, though the movie was filmed and set in California.
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