From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Early transportation

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" looks at one of the early modes of transportation between Derby ("Birmingham”) and New Haven. This picture shows the stagecoach waiting for its next daily run to New Haven. 

Many modes of transportation have been employed over the years – walking, horseback, carts and wagons, carriages, railroads, rivers and canals, horse cars and horse railways, bicycles, trolleys and automobiles.

[First posted on this date on 2018.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Judge Downs featured

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features Judge William S. Downs, who for many years was a prominent lawyer in both Derby and Shelton. 

Judge Downs was born on March 16, 1857 in Derby and served as assistant clerk to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1884 and 1885 and in the same capacity for the Senate in 1886. 

He was also both the prosecuting attorney for the Town Court as well as judge of the City Court for the borough of Birmingham. 

Downs died on October 24, 1918.

[First posted on this date in 2017.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: St. Mary's Church in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a postcard showing St. Mary's Church and its old school and convent. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Derby is the mother of Catholicism in the Valley. 

The church was erected in 1845 on a spacious lot donated by Anson Phelps for the Catholic people of Birmingham. It was enlarged several times and the cornerstone of the present church building was laid on June 25, 1882 by the late Bishop McMahon. 

The parish was originally composed of those from Derby, Ansonia, Huntington and Seymour. A parochial school was first established in the basement of the church in 1885. 

Under the pastorate of Rev. Charles McElroy, a school building was built in 1898 and a convent for the Sisters of Mercy was erected in 1904 next to the church on Elizabeth Street to the corner of Cottage Street. 

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Plunkett, appointed pastor of St. Mary’s in 1932, purchased the Fitch property on Seymour Avenue for future use. It is now home to St. Mary-St. Michael Elementary School, while the old school and convent were demolished in the early 1970s.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Sterling Piano Co. in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Sterling Piano Company in Derby. It is shown overlooking the canal that united Ansonia and Birmingham in the Water Street area. It has since been filled in, with Home Depot now occupying the spot that was previously occupied by Farrel Corp. until the year 2000.

In the background is the Naugatuck River.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: History of Derby Green featured

This week’s “Turnback Tuesday” picture features the picturesque Derby Green. 

In this image, you can see 2 of the 3 churches that bracket the Green: Immanuel St. James Episcopal Church (r.) and Derby United Methodist Church (l.) 

While the original Derby Commons was actually located in East Derby between Academy Hill Road and Clark Avenue, the Derby Green as we know it today - located between Minerva and Elizabeth Streets - was part of the planned downtown for “Birmingham”, orchestrated in 1836 by businessmen Sheldon Smith and Anson G. Phelps (of “Ansonia” namesake fame.) 

In fact, the Derby Green is referred to as the “Birmingham Green Historic District” on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Note that this image reflects the Green prior to the year 1999, when it underwent significant improvements including the addition of new lighting, new benches, new stonework around the central plaza and in front of the gazebo as well as renovation of the gazebo itself. 

The last two upgrades were done to greatly enhance public events such as Derby’s Summer Concerts on the Green series.

[This was first published on this date in 2016.]

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

From 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Posted on this date in 2017

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is an image of the Birmingham Electric Company, which became the Derby Gas & Electric Company.

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, 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.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Sterling Organ Co. in Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Sterling Organ Co. started by Charles Sterling in 1845 in Birmingham (now downtown Derby). 

The company added pianos to their line in 1860. Charles served as president until his death in 1887, and then Rufus W. Blake succeeded him. 

Sterling Piano was one of the largest factories in CT’s Lower Naugatuck Valley with a total of 16 buildings producing high quality pianos. 

This book was printed by the company in 1884 as an instruction book to learn to play the piano/organ. (A recent donation by the R. Ahern family.)

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights history of YMCA in Valley

Turnback Tuesday visits the YMCA this week. The YMCA is a long-standing organization that started in London in 1844. It was to help young men with a refuge to escape the hazards of the street.

The first YMCA to open in the United States was in Boston on December 29, 1851.

The Derby/Shelton YMCA was located at 88 Elizabeth St., Derby, opening in 1889 as the Birmingham YMCA.

By 1891, it was the Birmingham, Derby & Shelton YMCA. Then it was changed to Derby/Shelton YMCA. It stayed at the Elizabeth Street location until 1916.

This souvenir is one of the many items in the Library collection.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Crescent Cycle Club of Birmingham, CT

Turnback Tuesday visits the Crescent Cycle Club of Birmingham, CT.

The club was organized June 21,1892 by a few enthusiastic bicyclists who discussed the possibility of forming a club.

The club started with 51 members. As of September 2, 1893, there were 153 paying members. Meetings were held at Derby Gas Co. building, 24 Elizabeth St., first Wednesday of every month.

The group was very active with not only bicycles but with a number of indoor activities.

First club president was George E. Barber of the Howard & Barber Department Store.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) features Housatonic Railroad ticket

Turnback Tuesday is booking you a passage on the Housatonic Railroad Ansonia-Birmingham. This ticket is stamped on the back "Ansonia, February 27, 1892."

The Ansonia-Birmingham route stopped at Passenger Depot, Main Street, Ansonia, the Freight Depot, Main Street, Birmingham, Bridge Street, Shelton and Front Street in Derby. In 1890, this line merged into the New York, New Haven & Hartford line.

This 1892 Railroad ticket was a recent donation from Norman Hayden.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features catalog from The Derby Silver Co.

 

Turnback Tuesday looks at an 1883 catalog of The Derby Silver Co.

The Company became a corporation in 1872 with manufacturing operations beginning in 1873. The Derby Silver Co. produced mirrors, combs, brushes, clocks, and silverware of the highest quality.

These novelties were sent throughout the U.S. and to several foreign countries. As of 1896, there were three main buildings in Derby and Shelton. The Library is looking for a copy of this book to add to our archive.

We [at Derby Public Library] are "Hunting for History" and asking if anyone has a copy they'd be willing to donate. Thank you in advance.

Thanks go to the staff at Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week.

Sharing 19th-century etching of Housatonic River

Artwork featured on the Derby Public Library Facebook page

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an etching of Birmingham circa 1848. It was done by N. Curtiss and was drawn from the perspective of the Huntington side of the Housatonic River. The steeples of the various churches of Birmingham can plainly be seen.