Greens Farms, Connecticut facts for kids
Green's Farms is the oldest neighborhood in the town of Westport. It's located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in the United States. It was first officially recognized as a special area for the 2020 census.
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Exploring Green's Farms
Where is Green's Farms?
The exact borders of Green's Farms can be a bit unclear, like many neighborhoods that don't have official government status. But generally, people consider it the area between Hillspoint Road, the border with the town of Fairfield, and the Post Road. The special area drawn for the 2020 census follows these same borders. Many people feel that Turkey Hill Road and Morningside Drive are right at the heart of this neighborhood.
Weather and Nature
Green's Farms has a mild climate, meaning it doesn't get too hot or too cold. It's also home to many different natural areas, including a salt marsh. A salt marsh is a coastal wetland that is flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides.
Schools, Travel, and Businesses
Green's Farms is home to Greens Farms Academy, a private school for students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. You can also find the Green's Farms Railroad Station here, which is on New Creek Road. If you're driving, Exit 18 of Interstate 95 serves the neighborhood.
Sherwood Island State Park, a popular state park, is right on the western edge of Green's Farms. The Nyala Farms Corporate Center is also nearby. This business center is home to large companies like Terex Corporation and Pequot Capital Management.
Younger students attend Green's Farms Elementary School. This school teaches children from kindergarten to fifth grade. It has a cool Gothic-style building with a newer part that holds the library, computer lab, and gym.
The Name: Green's Farms
The name "Green's Farms" comes from John Green. He was one of the first five settlers in the area. By 1699, his land was known as "Green's Farm." Then, in 1732, the whole area was officially named Green's Farms.
You might see the name spelled both "Green's Farms" (with an apostrophe) and "Greens Farms" (without one). Organizations like the First Congregational Church of Green's Farms and the Green's Farms Railroad Station often use the apostrophe. However, the Town of Westport and the state government usually don't.
A Look Back: History
Early Settlers
In 1648, the town of Fairfield gave permission to five farmers to settle on the rich land where the Pequot people lived. These farmers were known as the "Bankside Farmers." They bought the land from the Pequot people, who called it Machamux, meaning "beautiful land." This land stretched along the coast and several miles inland. The Pequot people then moved to an area further east.
The first three farmers to arrive were Thomas Newton, Henry Gray, and John Green. Later, Daniel Frost and Francis Andrews joined them, making a total of five Bankside Farmers. They lived at the western end of what is now Beachside Avenue.
Growing Community
Near Green's Farms Road and Morningside Drive, you can find the spot where the first common area, schoolhouse, and meeting house were located. There's a small park there with a monument called Machamux Boulder.
Over the next 50 years, the community grew as more land was bought from the Native Americans. In 1711, the "West Parish of Fairfield" was created, which handled both church and community matters. In 1732, the area was officially renamed "Green's Farms" to honor John Green, one of the original Bankside Farmers.
Revolutionary Times
During the American Revolution, British soldiers attacked the area. They burned down the Meeting House, along with 15 houses and 11 barns. The only church item saved was the communion service, which Deacon Ebenezer Jesup hid in his well. For the next 10 years, church members met in private homes. A new church building was built in 1789 at the church's current location on Hillandale Road. To raise money for it, church pews were sold in an auction. That building was later replaced, and after a fire in 1852, another new church was built the following year.
Burial Hill Beach was bought by the Town of Westport in 1893, making it a public area.
Modern Changes
In 1950, strong winds knocked down the steeple of the Congregational Church. It crashed through the roof of the Sunday School room. When they repaired it, they also added new lighting for the steeple and built a new Sunday School room that could also be used as a social hall. In 1961, the current social hall was added, along with more classrooms, church offices, and a choir room.
Famous People from Green's Farms
Many well-known people have lived in Green's Farms. These include actress Gene Tierney, writer Peter Straub, TV personalities Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue, comedian Rodney Dangerfield, and radio host Don Imus. Martha Stewart once owned a home on Turkey Hill Road, where she filmed a television program, but she later moved. Edward M. Grout, a lawyer who was also the New York City Comptroller, lived and passed away in Green's Farms.
