Westporters Plan to Protect 19th Century House

Michael and Kim Ronemus plan to renovate the former Meeker House on Cross Highway. They also hope to secure a local historical designation for the property. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
By Dave Matlow

An early 19th century Westport house that later became the town’s first automobile service station will be saved from demolition because a Westport couple were pained to see it neglected.

Michael and Kim Ronemus have lived in Westport for 20 years. In 1994, they settled into their current home at 123 Cross Highway with their three children.

It was then they started admiring a neighboring house at 113 Cross Highway, which was in obvious need of repair. The 1.6-acre property includes a main house and four out-buildings.

Built around 1830 and known as the Samuel Meeker House, the property in 1908 became the Cross Highway Garage, Westport’s first automobile service station.

“We did not want to see it fall into the hands of developers and see it replaced with another ‘McMansion,’” Michael Ronemus said.

Two years ago, the couple began making overtures to buy the house. Their efforts paid off last month when they completed the purchase. They now plan to renovate it and move in.

They have applied for a local historical designation for the property through the Westport Historic District Commission.

The Ronemuses learned from their research that the house was built by the Meeker family circa 1830. Eight decades later, John Mackle, a member of the Meeker family, founded the Cross Highway Garage on the property.

Mackle operated the auto service business at the location for 45 years.  Kim Ronemus said her records show that a permit was acquired in 1938 to continue repairing cars and pumping gas at that site.

It was still called the Cross Highway Garage. Car repair service ended in the 1970s.

The couple will confer with the Plannning and Zoning Commission over a range of issues related to the use of the several out-buildings on the property.