From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Drive-in theater in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the drive-in movie theater during the 1955 flood.

It was located on 20 Division St. in Derby, where McDonald's and BJ's Wholesale Club now reside. The theater had opened in July of 1953 and thus was only open two years before the flood occurred.

After the flood, the screen and concession stand were repaired and they remained in operation until the 1960s.

[First posted on this date in 2017.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: '55 flood at drive-in theater in Derby

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This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the drive-in movie theater during the 1955 flood. It was located on 20 Division St. in Derby, where McDonald's and BJ's Wholesale Club now reside. The theater had opened in July of 1953 and thus was only open 2 years before the flood occurred. After the flood, the screen and concession stand were repaired and they remained in operation until the 1960s.
Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.
This post was first published on this date in 2017. 

Ansonia officials congratulate historical commission essay contest winners

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti Tuesday congratulated all three winners of the 2024 Essay Contest supported by the Ansonia Historical Commission at an award ceremony at the Ansonia Library.

This year’s essay topic was the impact of the 1955 flood on Downtown Ansonia.

Out of 63 essays, three were selected as winning entries:

Anthony Marini, 1st Place

Stanley Vasquez, 2nd Place

Haley Acoba, 3rd Place

Big thanks and appreciation to our amazing Ansonia Historical Commission for their support and work on this event: former Mayor Thomas P. Clifford; Bartholomew Flaherty; Michelle Libby; John Maloney; and John Kileen.

Also big appreciation to the judging panel: Jennifer Bosques; Daniel Bosques; and Jen Shuart.

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Sharing 2017 'Turnback Tuesday' memory featuring Flood of '55 in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the drive-in movie theater during the 1955 flood. It was located at 20 Division St. in Derby, where McDonald's and BJ's Wholesale Club now reside. 

The theater had opened in July of 1953 and thus was only open two years before the flood occurred. 

After the flood, the screen and concession stand were repaired and they remained in operation until the 1960s.

Note: In a comment on this post six years ago, David Lenart of Derby said he believed this photo was from the October flood. The first flood was on Aug. 19, 1955 and the second one was on Oct. 16.

Lenart is the grandson of the late Evening Sentinel photographer Edward J. Cotter Jr., who took this incredible photo.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' looks at devastation caused by '55 flood in Derby

Turnback Tuesday shares this incredible view of the Flood of 1955.

Taken from the tower of St. James Church on Minerva Street looking east towards the Naugatuck River. Red Star = Naugatuck River; green arrow = Freight Depot; blue arrow = Rt. 34; yellow arrow = Rt. 8; red arrow = Train Station; pink arrow = Farrel Birmingham; purple arrow = 1st Congregational Church; black arrow = St. Michaels Church and purple star = Housatonic river.

The devastation of the flood was not only to the landscape but to those living here. The image was a gift from the Birmingham National Bank to the Derby Public Library in November, 1955.

Thank you to Joe DiRienzo for his help in identifying landmarks.

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