'Turnback Tuesday' features old Derby Junction

Turnback Tuesday looks at the old Derby Junction (Transfer Point) located on the corner of Derby Avenue and Main Street.

This electric road was the first built in New England with construction starting in 1887. Mr. Thomas Wallace of Ansonia persuaded Mr. James Kennedy to build in Derby. Mr. Kennedy built the first electric railroad in America.

This Derby junction has access to New Haven, Bridgeport (by way of Shelton) and Waterbury (by way of Ansonia).

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby Junction

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of *Derby Junction,* the common name for the intersection of Main Street (foreground), New Haven Avenue (background right) and Derby Avenue (off to the left.)

In this photo, Derby Junction is located more north than it is now since an adjacent bridge was built over the Naugatuck River. You can tell this based on the relative offset of St. Michael's Church. 

Today, the intersection is busier than ever with cars, trucks, buses, etc., but it was once a bustling site with horse drawn carriages and electric trolleys that made transfers to other locations at this spot. 

This picture is likely from the early 1900s.

[First posted on this date in 2015.]

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

A 'Turnback Tuesday' posted on this date in 2018 features Derby Junction

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" looks at the old Derby Junction (Transfer Point) located on the corner of Derby Avenue and Main Street. 

This electric road was the first one built in New England with construction starting in 1887. 

Mr. Thomas Wallace of Ansonia persuaded Mr. James Kennedy to come to Derby and build. Mr. Kennedy built the first electric railroad in America. Derby Junction had access to New Haven, Bridgeport (by way of Shelton) and Waterbury (by way of Ansonia).

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features concrete bridge over Naugatuck River in Derby

Turnback Tuesday: Old Concrete Bridge over the Naugatuck River. Photo taken April,1908, looking west from the intersection we now know as Rt. 34/Main Street and Derby Avenue, originally known as the Junction or Transfer Point.

This concrete bridge allowed the Birmingham trolley to access New Haven. The building on the left is 14 Main St., John J. McEnerney Fire Insurance Co.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features business at Derby Junction

Turnback Tuesday highlights another business located at 14 Main St., Derby Junction.

This postcard photo was taken sometime after 1906. We know this because St. Michael's Church, in the background, had its groundbreaking in 1906. The building on the right is at 14 Main St.

John J. McEnerney Fire Insurance Co. moved the business to this location in 1896 until 1927, on the second floor or in the back of the building.

A druggist was located on the road level.

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

'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.

'Turnback Tuesday' in Facebook memory today highlights old Derby Junction

Sharing 'Turnback Tuesday' from three years ago today:

This week's 'Turnback Tuesday' looks at the old Derby Junction (Transfer Point) located on the corner of Derby Avenue and Main Street.

This electric road was the first one built in New England with construction starting in 1887. Mr. Thomas Wallace of Ansonia persuaded Mr. James Kennedy to come to Derby and build.

Mr. Kennedy built the first electric railroad in America. Derby Junction had access to New Haven, Bridgeport (by way of Shelton) and Waterbury (by way of Ansonia).

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features confectionary store at Derby Junction

Turnback Tuesday looks at Colwell's Confectionary, Etc. 
This business was located at 3 Main St. in Derby and the location was also known as Transfer Point for the trolley. 
Mrs. Mary E. Colwell started the business in 1907. In 1924, the name was changed to include “& Lunch Room.”
Mary operated the business until it closed in 1934. In this postcard, you can see Colwell's Confectionary sign on the right.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features old Derby Junction

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" looks at the old Derby Junction (Transfer Point) located on the corner of Derby Avenue and Main Street. 
This electric road was the first one built in New England with construction starting in 1887. 
Mr. Thomas Wallace of Ansonia persuaded Mr. James Kennedy to come to Derby and build. Mr. Kennedy built the first electric railroad in America. 
Derby Junction had access to New Haven, Bridgeport (by way of Shelton) and Waterbury (by way of Ansonia).


Thanks go out to the Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week!