From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Dam collapse in 1891

This week’s “Turnback Tuesday” photo was taken in 1891, just after the Housatonic Dam collapse on January 22 of that year.

Due to faulty construction, a buildup of ice combined with a heavy freshet washed away approximately 250 feet of the dam. This photo was taken on the Derby side of the river, most likely along Roosevelt Drive.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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