'Turnback Tuesday' features Bassett House, Sterling Opera House in Derby

Turnback Tuesday peeks at two very prominent buildings in Derby.

Pictured here is the Bassett House at the turn of the century.

The Bassett House was converted to a hotel in 1868. The gentleman in front holding his hat is Ira Ford Hoyt who stayed at the Bassett House from 1897 until a fire destroyed it in 1911.

According to the Derby Directories, Ira Ford and his father Ira Mortimer Hoyt conducted business in Derby by leasing the Sterling Opera House from 1897 to 1913, Ira M. being the Lessee and Ira F. being the manager. Both men were from South Norwalk.

The Hoyts were a prominent family with Ira M. having built the Hoyt Theatre which opened in 1892.

Thank you to Norwalk Public Library's Local History Room for their assistance.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!