'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Building and Lumber Co.

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" remembers the Derby Building and Lumber Company (W & L Lumber Co.) founded in 1835 by brothers Willis and Lewis Hotchkiss. 

Both gentlemen were prominent builders, businessmen, and citizens of Derby. Their company had a large yard with an office and its own dock on the Housatonic River. 

In its early days, the company delivered timber and lumber on "teams" to Derby, Ansonia, all the way up the Naugatuck Valley to Waterbury. A team of three heavy horses was quite the sight indeed.

Thanks to the Derby Public Library for sharing this interesting local history!