Derby 350 Plaque of the Week features historic downtown hotel

Our Derby 350 History Plaque of the Week brings us back to a time when Derby still had hotels - it has none today.

However, Elizabeth Street next to the Sterling Opera House was the site of the Hotel Clark and its predecessor Bassett House, which was originally the residence of Sheldon Bassett.

Both hotels were the centers of community and social life in town, and the Hotel Clark was also the place where the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club was started.

We want to thank the Rotary Club and Tom D'Addario and Capwood Associates, current owners of the office building on the Elizabeth Street site for purchasing the plaque.

We also want to thank Derby DPW for installing it.

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Military Order of the Purple Heart

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The Order was formed in 1932 for all those who received the Purple Heart decoration. On Sept. 21, 1932, the recipients from Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and Shelton were awarded their decorations in a ceremony at Community Field in Ansonia. 

The Order’s 1st National Convention was held at the Sterling Opera House in Derby on Oct. 6-7, 1933. The program shown is from the Sixth Annual Connecticut State Convention held at Hotel Clark on July 23, 1944.


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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Hotel Clark in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday remembers the Hotel Clark that was located near the Sterling Opera House at 100 Elizabeth Street in Derby. 
The Hotel was built on the same site as the former Bassett House which burned down in 1911. 
Hotel Clark opened in 1914 and was named in honor of Charles E. Clark, a prominent citizen in Derby. It was a spacious, three-story brick building which became the leading hotel in the area. Hotel Clark was closed in 1951.


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