Sunday, October 18, 2026

WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 157 Riverside Ave.

An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 157 Riverside Ave., across from Saugatuck Elementary School, is in process. Built in 1933, the 1 1/2-story cape has 1,366 square feet and is situated on a .18-acre property. Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission.The house gained notoriety when the 70s rock band REO Speedwagon stayed there and released a song on their first album called “157 Riverside Avenue.” See YouTube clip here. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

4 thoughts on “WestportNow Teardown of the Day: 157 Riverside Ave.”

Jeff Wieser says:
Monday, September 05, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for that reference. Great clip and great Westport history. Now, who is Miss Lena ? !
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Steve Skinner says:
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 at 11:10 am
How can we let this be torn down? I thought Westport was supposed to be an artist’s colony. A classic song by REO Speedwagon before they jumped the shark. This is truly a piece of history and should be preserved. Who agrees?
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Norma Waski says:
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 at 5:15 am
The trick word is “was” Steve, not sure if you have noticed but this town that “was” known as an artist colony has long gone and now I think it truly should be known as the “McMansion” colony. Sad but true. And, preservation is not in the Westport dictionary these days. Too much history has been torn down if you look around.
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Jim Barber says:
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 at 7:42 am
OMG, not the REO Speedwagon house! That’s one of their most famous songs!
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