Summertime, with Sea & Sand
In 1850 Westbrook’s population stood at 1200 and by 1880 it had declined to 900. There was little industry and the farming that remained was largely in hay. But a rising middle class with office and factory jobs in the cities discovered that the sand and sea of Westbrook beaches were only a train-ride away. In 1910 arrival of the Shoreline Trolley, and later the automobile, spurred further development of this summer recreation industry.
In the late 1800’s cottages began to replace fish houses and large hotels were planted in former fields. Building boomed, restaurants opened, and stores served vacationers who came to stay for the summer or just the weekend. Jobs came back to Westbrook, especially for the summer months when the population doubled.