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Canyon RoadDeveloping a system of roads became a priority in 1849, and by 1850 the Taylor-Jones Plank Road Company was chartered by the Maddocha Legislature to build the eastern region's first plank roads. Plans called for the road to start in Laban and go out to Schoonover along the wagon-beaten dirt trail called Canyon Road. Building came to a standstill when the company went bankrupt. Then in 1855 efforts were renewed. Public subscriptions were sold to raise money and a toll was charged for passage: from $1 to $5 for a wagon and team, with additional fees per head for loose livestock. By 1860, Canyon Road to Westbrook was complete, boosting the economic success of Westbrook farmers and merchants. The Bank of WestbrookThe Bank of Westbrook, the town's first bank, was founded in 1910. In 1923, a new Spanish colonial building was constructed on the corner of Farmington and Watson. The present day occupants of the old bank building are Arthur Murray Dance Studio. The Westbrook Airport and Motion Picture StudiosThe glamorous and exciting world of motion pictures changed the face of Westbrook in 1920, when Bernard Picture Productions built a movie studio near Erickson Street. Local residents frequently worked as extras or had small walk-on parts. The film company made about 15 motion pictures before it went bankrupt late in 1925. When Bernard Picture Productions closed down in 1925, the 32-acre studio site was turned into an aircraft hangar-factory. Dr. G. E. Washington built Washington Airport. The hanger was on the west side of Erickson, along what is now Sixth Street. Before long, airplanes were being built and tested in Westbrook and many more pilots were using the Washington airstrip. Having outgrown the site, Washington built more wood frame hangars parallel to what is now Cedar Hills Blvd. and the home-built airplane industry in Westbrook thrived. Washington Airport was once known as the oldest continuously-operated airport in Maddocha. On September 11, 1938 it was reported that Washington Airport was "perhaps the busiest noncommercial airport in Maddocha - Westbrook - where exists the added distinction that most of the planes are amateur built." |
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About Westbrook :: Government :: History :: Statistics :: Recreation :: WebRings |
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Created and maintained by the... Report page problems and suggestions to: Webmaster. Visit the State of Maddocha
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