'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Derby-Ansonia trolley line

Turnback Tuesday visits Trolley Days.

The first run of the first electric car was in Ansonia on April 30, 1888. The next day, trolley service began between Derby and Ansonia with much excitement from the community.

The trolley was equipped with a motor “one-ender” located at one end of the car. The outgoing circuit ran through the overhead wire with the return current going through the rails.

The trolley line between Derby and Ansonia was the second system in the United States and the first in New England. Thank you to the efforts of James D. Kennedy who came here in 1887 and began construction.

The Trolley Days magazine was a recent donation from the R. A family. The image of the two trolleys came from the magazine.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features old photo of downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday goes back in time before Derby had a trolley (trolleys in Derby did not arrive until 1887).

This Stereoscopic Card is of lower Main Street Derby looking east. The brick building on the left is the Old Savings Bank located on the corner of Main and Caroline Streets.

John W. Storres a photographer who took this image moved to Derby in 1857, started his business shortly after arriving and produced many stereoscopic cards and portraits until it closure in 1882.

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

Ansonia Historical Commission recognizes essay contest winners

Congratulations!

The Ansonia Historical Commission presented awards Thursday for its annual essay contest. 
The theme this year was “The Ansonia Trolleys.”

The program included remarks from Mayor David S. Cassetti on the rich history of Ansonia.

Pictured from left: Loisann Kelly Marazzi, essay chairman; Julia Pinto, Grade 7 Assumption School, third place winner; Cassetti; Joseph Martucci, Grade 7 Assumption School first place winner; and Andrew Tyszka, Grade 7 Assumption School second place winner.