750 Harbor Road in Southport, CT: A Landmark of Southport’s Greek Revival Heritage

If you’ve ever passed through Southport Harbor in Southport, CT, you’ve likely noticed the Oliver Perry residence standing proudly across from Perry’s Green, keeping watch over the harbor. This striking Greek Revival home, built in 1845, is one of the finest examples in the region. Its grand proportions, symmetry, and balance exemplify the Greek temple style, a hallmark of early 19th-century American high-style architecture.

Oliver H. Perry, for whom the house was built, was a lifelong Southport resident and a key figure in Connecticut’s political and financial landscape. Born in 1815, Perry’s mother was a member of the Burr family, a well-known Fairfield lineage. He attended Fairfield Academy before enrolling at Yale College at just 15 years old. Later, he studied at Yale Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1841. Though trained as an attorney, he pursued a career in business and finance. He was a founder of the Southport Savings Bank, an active member of the Connecticut General Assembly, and served as Speaker of the House. In Southport, he led the design and construction of the town’s public school and the Congregational Church.

Known as “The Harborage,” Perry’s home remained in his family’s possession for over a century, reflecting its deep personal significance. Set on 3.23 acres with almost 8,000 square feet of interior space, the home features a three-bayed facade and a striking two-story portico supported by Roman Doric columns. Flanking wings, adorned with proportionally correct classical details, enhance the structure’s grandeur. Inside, the layout follows a side-hall plan, with a stair hall leading into a double parlor that extends the full length of the house. The upper floors house multiple bedrooms, with additional living spaces in the wings.

The estate, sold in 2017 for $5,900,000, includes a 2,400-square-foot guest house, a pool and spa, a gym, a detached three-car garage, and meticulously maintained gardens. The house is located across the street from “Perry’s Green,” an open space gifted to the town in 1957 by Hoyt O. Perry Sr.