'Turnback Tuesday' features farm couple in East Derby

This week's “Turnback Tuesday” photo is of Oliver B. Sherwood and his wife, Charlotte (Fowler) Sherwood.

Oliver was born in Greenfield Hill, Fairfield County, and moved to Derby with his father in 1817. Charlotte was born in Milford where the two met. They married September 3, 1836 and had 4 children together. Oliver was a farmer aka “seed grower” and distributed his produce all the way up to New York.

The photograph was apparently taken by one of Oliver’s relatives, Elizabeth Sherwood, in front of their home located on Derby Hill.

It was taken sometime during the late 1880’s or early 1990’s before Charlotte’s death in 1892. Sentinel Hill Road and Sodom Lane were both listed as cross streets, so the house was located somewhere in that area. Oliver and Charlotte are buried in Oak Cliff Cemetery on Hawthorne Ave.

[First published on this date in 2016.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights fan advertising The Sterling Piano Co. in Derby

Turnback Tuesday is highlighting another advertising item. This week we are sharing a recent donation of a hand fan from The Sterling Piano Co. The fan advertises not only the Sterling Co. but also the music store that sells the products made by Sterling, in this case from York, Pa.

Sterling Co. was founded by Charles Sterling in 1866. Because of their excellent workmanship Sterling Pianos were so well built there are many still in existence and played today.

Fan donated by Robert Ahearn.

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

Derby Hall of Famer of the Week features Mormon leader

Orson Hyde

The Derby Hall of Famer of the Week will be a surprise to most.

He was born in Oxford in 1805, but he was raised in Derby because of the death of both his parents.

At the age of 14 he walked to Kirkland, Ohio to be with Nathan Wheeler who had been raising him in Derby until the failure of his business led him to relocate to Kirkland.

At that point, Orson Hyde converted to the Mormon religion and began his rise in the leadership of the church! He even became one of the Twelve Apostles who were the leaders of the Mormon faith.

There's much more to the fascinating story of his life including missionary work in Jerusalem and eight wives and more than 30 children!

Shared from Derby 350 Facebook page.

Derby 350 features philanthropist, business, community leader

Col. Holton Wood

 

DERBY - Our first Hall of Famer of the Week for 2026 is Col. Holton Wood, a business and community leader of significance from the moment he arrived in Derby in 1887 to serve as vice president of the Derby Street Railway Company. 

He eventually served the city in the state general assembly and served in leadership positions in many local business groups. 

He and his family suffered a terrible loss in 1897 when their son Harcourt died at the age of 11. A few years later while he was living in Brookline, MA., he made memorial gifts in honor of his son that made the Derby Public Library a reality. 

Read more about this progressive business leader and some library history-https://electronicvalley.org/.../HallofFame/Wood,Holton.htm

Shared from the Derby 350 Facebook page.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: First Derby Bank

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an old First Derby Bank banknote. 

The First Derby Bank was incorporated in 1809 and prospered. With the demise of the Fishing Company, the bank laid dormant until it was resuscitated in 1824 by the Canfield brothers. Horace Canfield and his brother purchased both the Charter and the building that was used by the bank. John L. Tomlinson was made bank president and Edward Crafts, cashier. The Canfield brothers were the agents, i.e. the moving power of the bank. When Edward the cashier had in hand $100,000 obtained through the Canfields, he deposited the funds with Fulton Bank of New York. Notes such as this one were issued and read “The Derby Bank promises to pay at the Fulton Bank New York to N. Smith or bearer Two Dollars - Dated July 4th, 1825”. This note was signed by John L. Tomlinson. While the amount of $2 does not seem like much, if we fast forward to 2017, this note would be worth $47.12.
[First posted on this date in 2017.]
Thanks as always 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.

Learn Victorian era etiquette at Seymour Public Library presentation

 

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Sanford family home in Derby

"Turnback Tuesday" is checking out the Sanford family Rambling Structure Home, built in 1836 and located on the corner of 4th and Caroline Streets. 

This photo was taken circa 1962. Note the great cars parked in front. The white car on the left is a 1958 Mercury, in the center is a 1953 Buick, and on the right is an early 1960’s Dodge or Plymouth.

[First posted on this date in 2018.] 

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby Docks circa 1868

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo shows the Derby Docks seen from the foot of Caroline Street.

It was taken around 1868 and presented to the Library by Mr. R.S. Gardner.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Dr. Ambrose Beardsley featured

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features Dr. Ambrose Beardsley. 

Dr. Beardsley was co-author of "The History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880," which is more widely known as "The Orcutt History of Derby." 

He was born in Monroe on October 23, 1811 and graduated from the Medical College in Pittsfield, Mass. in 1834. He then moved to Birmingham (aka Downtown Derby) in 1835 to set up his practice. 

He actually played a pivotal role in the case of serial murderer Lydia Sherman. 

Sadly, Dr. Beardsley died in October of 1884 at the age of 73.

[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: Pink House Cove

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" shows the road which is now Route 34 West in Derby. The road runs alongside the Housatonic River below what is known as Pink House Cove. The photo was likely taken in the late 1800s.

[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: Housatonic River Dam

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features the Housatonic River Dam.

The Housatonic Water Co. was organized in 1866 for the purpose of erecting a dam across the river. The dam was built in 1870 near the present-day Yale Boathouse.

A short canal was built on the Derby side while a much longer canal was built on the Huntington side that later became Shelton.

On Jan. 21, 1891, the dam burst from damage wrought by freshets and ice blocks. Even after it was rebuilt, ice and heavy water flows continued to damage the Housatonic River Dam until the Stevenson Dam was built upriver in Monroe in 1918.

[First published on this date in 2017.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features CT State Firefighters Association

Turnback Tuesday highlights the Connecticut State Firefighters Association. 

The organization was organized in 1884 and incorporated in 1885 to serve as a unified voice for CT’s fire service. This includes both volunteer and career firefighters. 

The City of Derby was the host for the 11th Annual Convention on August 1st and 2nd, 1894, a significant event for firefighters in the state showcasing their skills and camaraderie. 

This ribbon from the event was a donation from the R. Ahearn family.

Thanks 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.

'Turnback Tuesday' features puzzle over 19th century beer bottle

Turnback Tuesday is showcasing a bit of a puzzle. This bottle, named "Finn & Knapp Derby, Conn," was a bottle used for beer. 

Now, a Thomas Finn had a restaurant and sample room that started in 1882, located at 102 Main St., Derby. This business ran until 1884. Finn did open another saloon in Shelton in 1891. Meanwhile, Frank L. Knapp had a sample room at 181 & 183 Main St., Derby from 1889 to 1890. Knapp bartended in Ansonia in 1891 then moved to Bantam Lake in 1892.

This is very curious because the bottle has both names on it. It seems they never worked together, therefore the puzzle. 

If you look at this bottle it has a wire-bale bottle closure which was invented in 1875 by Nicolai Fritzner. This made it easier for opening and closing bottles.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Bassett residence on Bank Street

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Robert N. Bassett residence at 40 Bank St. in Derby in 1889. 

In 1952, the address was designated as 64 Bank St. and was occupied by eight families. The house to the left, 50 Bank St., was the Henry Sawyer residence which was later razed to make way for Franklin School.

[First posted March 8, 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: R & G Jewelry Store in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a photo of the inside of the R & G Jewelry Store, which stood next to Hotchkiss' Drug Store on Main Street in Derby. 

Robert and Ned Gardner are behind the counters. This photo was taken about 1890.

[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: Derby Electric Railway

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the first motor ever used on the Derby Electric Railway.

The Railway itself was the first electric road to operate in New England, and the second in the United States. The motor was built by Pullman Palace Co. in Illinois and was put into operation in April of 1888 between Derby and Ansonia.

The Derby Electric Railway was so successful that the Derby Horse Railway became the Derby Street Railway in 1889. However, the life of trolleys was relatively short-lived, as motor buses eventually took over in approximately 1937.

This photograph of the rail-car was taken in the early 1900s at Pine Rock Grove, where the locomotive had been placed as a historical item.

[First posted in February, 2018. Thanks FB memories.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: 1890 wedding photo

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of Edith and Robert Gardner's wedding.

The wedding took place in Robert's home at 22 Derby Ave. on May 29, 1890. Robert Gardner, born in 1867, was a jeweler and a member of the Derby-Shelton Board of Trade. He gave up his business when he became GM of F. Hallock Co. in 1890.

That same year, he married Edith Hallock, daughter of the deceased Franklin Hallock. Robert continued as GM for the Hallock Company until the death of its president in 1932, at which time, Gardner took over as President. Robert was also very active in the community. He served as Deacon and Treasurer for the Second Congregational Church and was also on the Board of Directors of the Derby Public Library in the 1920s.

A portrait of Mr. Gardner hangs in the Library’s Local History Room.

[First posted on this date in 2017.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Woodworth Lodge #2 in Derby

Turnback Tuesday remembers the Woodworth Lodge #2, Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW).

The AOUW was founded Oct. 27, 1868 in Meadville, Pa. by John J. Upchurch and William W. Walker.

It was a fraternal organization in the U.S. and Canada that provided social and financial support after the American Civil War.

Their emphasis was “Benefit Society” with the motto “Charity, Hope and Protection.”

The Lodge in Derby was instituted on June 14, 1880. The meetings were held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings each month in the Pythian Hall located at 221 Main St., Derby.

The Woodworth Lodge disbanded sometime in 1932, while the organization on a national level dissolved in 1952.

Thank you to Robert Ahearn for this recent donation.

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