'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Gas & Electric Co.

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is an image of the Birmingham Electric Co., which became the Derby Gas & Electric Co. 
In 1859, a group of prominent Derby men - including William Wooster, Dr. Ambrose Beardsley and Edward Shelton - petitioned the state legislature in Hartford for a charter to manufacture and distribute gas in the Boroughs of Birmingham and Ansonia. At the time, both boroughs were still part of Derby. The petition was granted in May of 1859, and 10 years later, the charter was amended to include part of Huntington. 

However, the building was not officiated until 1871, when the first officers and President were selected. 

The building was located in four previous locations - at Gould's Armory, at 141 Main St., on the corner of Main and Elizabeth Streets, and in a different Elizabeth Street building (exact location unknown) - before settling on 22 Elizabeth St. in 1931.

*Many thanks to the Derby Public Library for sharing this local history.