'Turnback Tuesday' features businesses near 'Derby Junction'

Turnback Tuesday give us two views of the corner of Derby Avenue and Main Street in the early 1900s.

At 5 Main St., the beverage business (saloon) was owned by James D. McCarthy from 1896 until 1925 when he changed it to a cigar and tobacco establishment.

At 3 Main St. starting in 1907, Mrs. Mary E. Colwell ran a confectionary/lunch business until 1934. At 1 Main St. were various grocery and meat markets, run earlier by Herson C. Osborn and later by Davey Brothers. Above these businesses were rooms for rent.

This corner was also part of the busy intersection called "Derby Junction" where the trolley and trains all stopped.

Just think of this corner as your one stop for shopping for food, sweets, and drinks.

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