'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby grocery store during blizzard of 1888

Turnback Tuesday takes a snapshot at the Great Blizzard of 1888 and the business of Burt Grocers.

The blizzard hit the entire Northeast of Connecticut, dumping anywhere from 20 to 50 inches of snow on March 11, 1888. Think about how hard it was to shovel and remove snow of that amount by hand as no plows or snow blowers were available.

This image was taken looking west on Main Street, Derby. The business with the arrow was L. A. Burt Grocers, specializing in groceries and meats.

The store occupied 215/217 Main St. Luzern Burt ran his business from 1886 until 1889 when he moved to Meriden.

Thanks as always goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing local history each week.