‘Tis the season for changing leaves, warmer clothes, and dropping temperatures.  I’m sure many debated turning on their furnaces this morning, or lighting a warm and cozy fire in the fireplace or wood stove.  When did it get chilly enough to light the fires for the winters back a hundred years ago?  As always, Nell McCann has the answer for us.  Here are a few memories of olden-days Westport.

 

“Fire in Church for first this Fall on All Saints Day Nov 1 1915”

 

 It must have been very difficult to keep the large interior of St. Edward’s Church cozy during brutally cold spells in the early years.

 

“Jan 21st (1920) Coldest day & night this winter 35 D below Zero – 23rd Stormy – Snow & Wind avereged 18 below Zero – Feb came in nice & remained so for 2 weeks – last two weeks very cold some days Registering 28 below & some 18 below”

 

 

 The Westport Public School was looking for wood for the winter of 1935.

 

 

 

“Nov 10 First cold Blustery day with flurrys of Snow & dreadfull wind Storm & Snow Storm  Nov 10 Started to use the Wood out of the Barn”

 

 A wintery day on Church Street