Derby Hall of Famer of the Week: Charles A. Sterling

Our Derby Hall of Famer of the Week built one of the largest and most prestigious businesses in Derby history. 

Charles A. Sterling started out manufacturing organs in enormous wood structures located along the canal near what today is Water Street. He later added pianos as the business thrived for decades. He had an easy walk to work as he lived on Caroline Street. 

He passed away in 1877 but left a lasting legacy in Derby. The Sterling Opera House is named for him. https://electronicvalley.org/.../Hal.../Sterling,Charles.htm

Shared from the Derby 350 Facebook page.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Storage building on Caroline Street

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a photo of the Peterson-Hendee Co. storage warehouse that used to be located on Caroline Street.

It was used to store flour, grain, and animal feed and also served as a mill. The president of the company was one John R. Peterson.

On July 13,1908 there was a fire in one of the nearby apartments that damaged the building, though the warehouse remained mostly intact. The warehouse remained open until 1930.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

Thanks goes to 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.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Cheeseman House in Derby

Turnback Tuesday takes a different look at the Cheeseman House located at 185 Minerva St., Derby.

Owned by George W. Cheeseman, a successful businessman in Derby in the mid to late 1800s.

After being a family residence, it became the high school when the student body outgrew the top floor of Lincoln School. The home was used from 1906 until a new school was built, with construction beginning in 1913.

This back view of the home is taken from Caroline Street overlooking the Naugatuck River.

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

Painting given to mayor features a slice of Derby's past

I meant to share this last week when I saw it on Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan's Facebook page. It's a beautiful painting of the historic cobblestone hill on Caroline Street in downtown Derby. 

From Dziekan:
"A special thank you to Neil Dorso and his wife Barbara for presenting me with her painting of Caroline Street. Notice the detail in the cobblestones that used to adorn the surface. This looks great on my office wall."

A New Haven Register story was published in September 2016 about the removal of the cobblestones.