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A BRIEF HISTORY OF WESTPORT "WOOG'S WORLD" - Dan Woog Westport News, January 7, 2000 With the new millennium a whopping four days old, most of us have already left that tired old 20th century in the dust. We've forgotten the stale 1900s as quickly as we forget PIN numbers and passwords. Still, it can't hurt to look back one more time at the people and events that made Westport "Westport," from 1000 to 1999. 1000: As fears of Y1K bug spread throughout Europe, land that six centuries later will become Westport lies blissfully unaware. However, new millennium dawns without problem: Coyotes still howl; Canada geese do not alter flight paths; deer continue to chomp leaves with abandon. 1637: John Mason, Roger Ludlow and group of soldiers enter area for first time to battle Pequot Indians in Great Swamp. Indians win, then debate building motel or casino on Post Road. Choose motel. 1639: Several families led by Roger Ludlow return to area, purchase land from Fairfield to Norwalk from Indians, build church and log cabins. 1640: Several other families move to area from New Amsterdam, large city 50 miles away. Purchase log cabins from original owners; promptly tear them down and build larger ones. Original settlers shake heads, mutter about newcomers, but rub hands with glee when calculating return on investment. 1648: Five settlers from Fairfield group request Colonial Assembly's permission to settle in Green's Farms. Call selves "Bankside Farmers." Change name six times in next five years, due to bankside mergers and acquisitions. Try several different logos, too. 1703: First schoolhouse built at Green's Farms commons area. Parents immediately complain about overcrowding, demand Rebekah be tested for learning disability, and question why Zebediah is not on honor roll. 1777: British troops land at Compo Point; proceed north to burn supplies and ammunition at Danbury. Battle at Compo Hill erupts as British attempt to return to their ships on Sunday, April 27, after Compo guard informs them they must pay exorbitant Sunday fees to enter beach area. 1789: George Washington visits Marvin Tavern. Raises 150,000 pounds for upcoming presidential campaign. 1807: Newly laid out Post Road passes through growing port area of Saugatuck River. Impatient carriage drivers create chaos at corner of Post Road, and Riverside and Wilton Avenues. "Traffic director" stands on corner, idly watching. 1835: Daniel Nash and group of businessmen petition for incorporation of Westport, which includes parts of Fairfield, Norwalk, Old Saugatuck and Weston. General Assembly in Hartford agrees, then passes legislation to ignore town's concerns forever. 1842: Railroad arrives. First train 25 minutes late due to "track problems"; however, no one knows, due to garbled announcement on platform. 1861-65: Westport becomes biggest onion supplier to U.S. Army during Civil War. As added bonus, each shipment includes instructions from local housewife, "M. Stewart," instructing troops on how to make luscious onion tarts, divine onion cakes and scrumptious onion scones. 1882: Staples High School founded, on Riverside Avenue. Cafeteria is spotless, for first and only time. 1903: First automobile seen in Westport. Next day, neighbor buys more expensive, sportier one. Day after that, both collide while racing for only parking spot in town. 1920: F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald spend summer here. Westporters pretend not to notice famous couple strolling down Main Street, then rush home to "casually" tell friends about close encounter with celebrity. 1935: Local artist paints mural on speakeasy wall, commemorating friends "we'll never forget." Mural is promptly covered up. When uncovered 64 years later, no one knows who anyone is. 1938: Merritt Parkway opens. First day totals: 128 cars, 14 dead deer. 1949: First Representative Town Meeting (RTM) formed. Over 125 candidates vie for 26 slots. Number drops to 12 for next election. Same phenomenon detected with customers whenever new restaurant opens in town. 1955: Parker-Harding Plaza created, behind Main Street stores. Merchants complain they can no longer simply dump trash out back door into Saugatuck River; soon realize they can do the same into large dumpsters in middle of parking lot. 1958: Connecticut Turnpike opens. First vehicle, a tractor-trailer, promptly overturns. 1959: New Staples High School, on North Avenue, opens. Architects applaud "open campus" design of six buildings connected by outside walkways. Physicians applaud opportunity to treat huge increase in illness among high school students every November through April. 1960: Town purchases Longshore Club Park. Innkeeper serves celebratory drinks on patio. Lawsuit filed over improper use of service bar. Forty years later, suit still unresolved. 1967: United Illuminating proposes building nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island. Most Westporters oppose plan, until UI assures townspeople "water in Long Island Sound will be much warmer for swimming!" Small group of disgruntled citizens file suit, prevail in court. 1981: Staples High School renovation complete. Architects applaud "closed campus" design, as all buildings now interconnected. Education spokesman exults, "We now have a high school that will last us well into the 21st century!" 1985: Town buys baron's property on North Compo Road. First selectman vows, "We don't know yet what we'll do with it, but we sure won't let it go to the dogs!" 1998: Town buys baron's property on South Compo Road. When asked why, first selectman responds, "Y not!" 2000: New millennium dawns without problem. Coyotes continue to howl; Canada geese land wherever they want; deer chomp leaves with abandon. Copies of the two collections "Woog's World, The Book," and "Woog's World, The Sequel" are available directly from Dan Woog for $15 each, plus $2.50 postage. Dan Woog 301 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 Tel.: 203-227-1755 Fax: 203-227-3035 Cell: 203-829-4509 E-mail: dwoog@optonline.net Web site: http://www.danwoog.com