Southport Historic District (Fairfield, Connecticut) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Southport Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Southport Congregational Church, 1966
Location in Connecticut Show map of Connecticut Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Roughly bounded by Southport Harbor, RR, Old South Rd. and Rose Hill Rd., Fairfield, Connecticut
Area	225 acres (91 ha)
Built	1800
Architectural style	Greek Revival, Romanesque, Federal
NRHP reference No.	71000898
Added to NRHP	March 24, 1971

The Southport Historic District is a special area in Fairfield, Connecticut. It covers about 225 acres (91 ha) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized for its important history and old buildings.

The district helps protect a part of the modern neighborhood of Southport, Connecticut. Sadly, the British burned almost all of Southport's buildings in 1779. Because of this, only one house built before that time still stands today. It's called the Meeker House, located at 824 Harbor Road.

Exploring the Southport Historic District

This historic area is bordered by the Metro-North Railroad tracks to the north. To the south, you'll find the Mill River and Southport Harbor. Old South Road forms the western edge, and Rose Hill Road is on the east.

The district includes some homes on both sides of Old South Road and Rose Hill Road. However, it doesn't include the shops and factories along Pequot Avenue. This protected area is about a quarter of what Southport used to be.

Protecting Old Buildings

A local group in Fairfield helps protect the buildings in this district. If someone wants to change a property, they need to get approval first. This helps keep the historic look of the area.

For example, a homeowner once put a very large sculpture on their lawn. The local group said it needed approval. The case even went to the U.S. Supreme Court! The court agreed that the sculpture needed permission. The sculpture was later moved to a museum.

Why This Area Is Special

In 1970, the district was recognized for its importance. It was once a busy center for trade and business in Fairfield. Its history shows how many New England port towns grew after the American Revolutionary War.

Most buildings in the district were built after 1779. They show off beautiful styles like Greek Revival and Victorian. These homes often belonged to wealthy people. Their money came from shipping, banking, and other businesses.

The district has over 150 important buildings. Here are a few examples:

• 750 Harbor Road: This Greek Revival house belonged to Oliver Perry, a notable person. It has a triangular roof (pediment) and four large columns.
• 780 Harbor Road: Built in 1830, this is a Federal style house. It was the home of Walter Perry III.
• 824 Harbor Road: This is the Meeker House. It was built before 1766 and is the only known building to survive the 1779 burning.
• 72 Willow Street: This was the childhood home of Joseph Sheffield. He later founded the Rock Island Railroad.
• 104 Old South Road: This house belonged to Paschal Sheffield. He was a privateer (like a legal pirate) for Argentina during its fight for independence.
• 187 Westway Road: This house, called a saltbox, was built before 1818. It's known for the "Dimon Oak" tree. In 1970, this tree was nearly 100 feet tall and over 260 years old!
• 95 Main Street: Built around 1827, this building served as a school, a church, and even a town hall. It's now a home.
• 798 Harbor Road: This building was a store in the 1850s. Later, it was a club called "Bachelor's Comfort, and Married Men's Relief." During World War I, it helped with British war relief. It then became the first clubhouse for the Pequot Yacht Club.
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  Pequot Library, photographed in 1966
• Pequot Library: Located at 720 Pequot Avenue, this is another important building.

Harbor Road Buildings

Harbor Road runs along the harbor, and all of it is part of the historic district.

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  Captain Ward Bulkley House, 298 Harbor Road

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  Zalmon Wakeman House, 418 Harbor Road

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  Captain William Webb House, 478 Harbor Road

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  Allen Nichols House, 494 Harbor Road

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  Barnabas Sturges House, 534 Harbor Road

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  Charles Perry House, 564 Harbor Road

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  Henry Sturges House, 608 Harbor Road

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  Wakeman Memorial, 648 Harbor Road

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  Austin Perry House, 712 Harbor Road

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  Oliver H. Perry House, 750 Harbor Road

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  Gurdon Perry House, 780 Harbor Road

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  William Bulkley House, 824 Harbor Road

Pequot Road Buildings

Some parts of Pequot Road are in the district. Newer shops and businesses are not included.

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  C. O. Jelliff Company, 354 Pequot Road

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  Trinity Church (P. E.), 651 Pequot Road

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  Trinity Parish Chapel, 651 Pequot Road

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  Benjamin Pomeroy Carriage House

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  Benjamin Pomeroy House

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  Francis D. Perry House, 678 Pequot Road

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  Oliver T. Sherwood House, 683 Pequot Road

More Historic Buildings

Here are more images of buildings found within the Southport Historic District.

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  46 Station Street

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  Connecticut Bank, Mill River Branch, 227 Main Street

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  Francis Jelliff House, 212 Center Street

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  Henry Perry House, 45 Westway Road

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  John Hoyt Perry House, 134 Center Street

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  Julius Pike House, 62 Center Street

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  Moses Bulkley House, 176 Main Street

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  Nehemiah Jennings Block, 668-70 Main Street

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  New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Freight House

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  New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Station

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  Paschal Sheffield House, 104 Old South Road

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  Pequot School, 214 Main Street

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  Simon C. Sherwood House, 67 Westway Road

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  Southport Congregati...

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  Southport Harbor, Mill River

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  Southport Savings Bank, 226 Main Street

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  Wakeman B. Meeker House, 25 Westway Road

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  Waugh House, 249 Old South Road