'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) features Naugatuck River

Turnback Tuesday is highlighting the Naugatuck River. The river has a total length of 40.2 miles starting in Torrington and ending in Derby at the Housatonic River. 

Our river is never more beautiful than in the spring. Osprey, geese, and eagles are returning to their nests and fishing grounds. Boaters are enjoying the beauty and tranquility of fishing in these waters. The name Naugatuck is derived from an Algonquin term which means “lone tree by fishing place.” It was a great food source. 

Today our river is clean and enjoyed by many. Take a stroll along the Derby river walk and you will see. Just a reminder to please be safe while enjoying the river.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Housatonic River, Indian Well in Shelton

 Turnback Tuesday presents this wonderful image of the Housatonic (Ousatonic) River looking north; more importantly, the location of Indian Well State Park in Shelton. 

The flat, grassy looking area to the left before the bend is where Indian Well State Park is located.

The park was established in 1928. It boasted a 15-foot waterfall and deep scenic pool. The area was associated with the Pootatuck or Paugussett Native American Tribes. 

In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) developed the park with stone walls, a bridge, etc. The park has been enjoyed by families for 98 years.

This image is approximately 4’ x 3’ and hangs upstairs in the hallway of Derby Public Library.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Cooke Boathouse

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an image of Yale's Robert Cooke Boathouse. It was located at 280 Roosevelt Drive in Derby, where the Yale Gilder Boathouse now resides. 

The Cooke Boathouse was designed by architect James Gamble Rogers and was dedicated in 1918. However, the boathouse was deemed too small to house the number of rowers that were using it, hence the need for its demolition and replacement by the Gilder Boathouse, opened in 2000.

This image was taken from the Shelton side of the Housatonic River near Riverview Park.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: 'Ousatonic' River

This week's Turnback Tuesday features the Housatonic River or "Ousatonic" as it was originally spelled.

The river was named by the Paugussett Tribe as Potatuck which means “River with Falls” or “Great River”.

The Housatonic actually starts near Pittsfield, Mass. and runs for 148 miles into the Long Island Sound.

In the early 1800s, factories were built along the river. These factories in Birmingham harnessed the water to power their turbines and water wheels. A covered bridge was built in 1839 to connect Shelton to Derby and the Ousatonic Dam was dedicated in 1870. Dikes were installed along parts of the river after the Flood of 1955. Not all use of the river was for commercial purposes as recreational boating was very common. In fact, the Yale University boat crews used the river to practice and race, hence the Gilder Boathouse on Roosevelt Drive.

This picture was taken standing on the Derby/Shelton Bridge in 1904. You can see the dam in the background and Oak Cliff Cemetery to the right on the hill.

[First published on this date in 2017.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Derby RR Bridge

Turnback Tuesday gives you a bird’s eye view of the RR Bridge crossing over the Housatonic River.

The bridge is marked with a red arrow. In the foreground is the Birmingham Iron Foundry.

This business started in 1836 by two brothers, Sylvester and Sullivan Colburn. It was not named Birmingham Iron Foundry until it was sold to Sheldon Bassett in 1850.

The business later merged with the Farrel Foundry in the 1920s. The factory was located where Home Depot is now.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Commodore Isaac Hull's house

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features Commodore Isaac Hull's house.

Hull was a Commodore in the United States Navy, and commanded several famous U.S. naval ships, including the USS Constitution. His uncle, William Hull, was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and adopted Isaac when he was a young boy after his father had died.

The U.S. Navy has named five ships in honor of Isaac Hull, including the USS Commodore Hull, the USS Hull (DD-7), the USS Hull (DD-330), the USS Hull (DD-350) and the USS Hull (DD-945).

In addition, the portion of Route 8 that spans the Housatonic River between Derby and Shelton is named the Commodore Isaac Hull Memorial Bridge in his honor.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features image of Flood of 1955 devastation

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

It was 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 = First Congregational Church; black arrow = St. Michael's 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 Derby Public Library in November, 1955.

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

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: 'The Wharf'

This week’s “Turnback Tuesday” is a photo taken around 1895. From the information we have, it depicts a Mrs. H.A. Campbell standing on “The Wharf.” 

In the background is a boat containing a party of Derby people - including Rev. Fellows - apparently on their way to Indian Well. 

We welcome any additional info from our Facebook followers regarding this scene’s location, viewing perspective, bios, etc.

[This was first posted on this date in 2016.]

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

Klarides-Ditria: DOT to start immediate repairs on Commodore Hull Bridge

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) announced immediate repairs on the Commodore Hull Bridge - which carries Route 8 over the Housatonic River between Shelton and Derby. According to the DOT, “during a special inspection of the bridge in preparation for a future project, advanced deterioration on the gusset plates was noticed. These plates connect the truss members together to support the weight of the overall bridge structure and traffic load on the bridge.  Due to the additional deterioration found, starting this week CTDOT will begin milling off the bituminous wearing surface (pavement), and posting a 32-ton weight restriction for all vehicles.” There are 12 gusset plate locations anticipated. Travel lane shifts in both directions will likely be required, as well as closure of on/off ramps directly adjacent to the structure while repairs are being completed. The objective is to maintain two lanes of traffic for Route 8 NB & SB.  The bridge remains safe for the traveling public. DOT urges drivers to slow down, move over, and use caution when traveling through this area to keep themselves and workers safe.

Sincerely,

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' remembers Harold B. Yudkin, '55 Flood in Valley

Harold B. Yudkin

Turnback Tuesday remembers a man who had a passion for history and Derby: Harold B. Yudkin.

With this passion, Mr. Yudkin photographed the Flood of August 19, 1955.

The flood had a devastating effect on families and businesses in the Valley towns along the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers.

Derby Public Library received these photos through a donation from Harold’s son. For the month of August, these incredible images - of which we have over 90 along with some personal accounts of those who witnessed this disaster - will be on display at the Library for all to see.

In addition, there will be a small reception at the Library on August 19 at 2 p.m., the 70th anniversary of the Flood. The image of the Derby Railroad Station was taken at 2 p.m. on Aug. 19, and The Housatonic Lumber image was taken at 5 p.m. on Aug 19.

We are looking for anyone who is willing to share their personal experience with the Library.

Please feel free to drop off your story, short or long, at the Library, attention Christine Boulay or email cboulay@biblio.org.

Thank you for your contributions.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: W & L Lumber Co. in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" remembers the Derby Building and Lumber Co. (W & L Lumber Co.) founded in 1835 by brothers Willis and Lewis Hotchkiss. Both gentlemen were prominent builders, businessmen and citizens of Derby. Their company had a large yard with an office and its own dock on the Housatonic River. 

In its early days, the company delivered timber and lumber on "teams" to Derby, Ansonia all the way up the Naugatuck Valley to Waterbury. A team of three heavy horses was quite the sight indeed.

[First posted on this date in 2018.]

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

Volunteers sought for Housatonic River Cleanup in Shelton, Stratford

 

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: The Willmann House

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Willmann House on Fifth Street in Derby.

Joseph Willmann, originally from Germany, owned a factory along the Housatonic River in Derby. At one time, he held a patent for an ice-cream making machine issued in 1910.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Housatonic River

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Housatonic River (or Ousatonic in its original spelling.) Named by the Paugussett Tribe as Potatuck which means “River with Falls” or “great river," the Housatonic starts near Pittsfield, Mass. and runs for 148 miles to the Long Island Sound.

In the early 1800s, factories were built along the river in Birmingham that harnessed the water to power their turbines and water wheels. 

A covered bridge was built in 1839 to connect Shelton to Derby, and the Ousatonic Dam was dedicated in 1870. Dikes were installed along parts of the river after the flood of 1955.

Not all use of the river was for commercial purposes. Recreational boating and fishing were very common. The Yale University boat crews used the river to practice and race. 

This postcard is a recent donation to the Library.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Yale Boathouse in Derby

 

DERBY -This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an image of Yale's Robert Cooke Boathouse. It was located at 280 Roosevelt Drive, where the Yale Gilder Boathouse now resides. 

The Cooke Boathouse was designed by architect James Gamble Rogers and was dedicated in 1918. 

However, the boathouse was deemed too small to house the number of rowers that were using it, hence the need for its demolition and replacement by the Gilder Boathouse, opened in 2000. 

This image was taken from the Shelton side of the Housatonic River near Riverview Park.

[This was 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: Naugatuck River history

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the Naugatuck River as it goes under the Route 34 bridge and alongside Downtown Derby.

The Naugatuck River proper starts in Torrington where its east and west branches meet.

The total length is 40.2 miles, and the river empties into the Housatonic River at Derby. “Naugatuck” is derived from an Algonquian term that means “lone tree by the fishing place.” Originally, the Native Americans used the river’s abundant food source.

Since the 19th century, the Naugatuck River has had a long history of industry using the water for washing and power generation.

Due to this industry, the river suffered great damage by 1915 that wasn't improved upon until the early 1970’s. With the help of the DEP and the Valley community, progress has been made towards the river’s restoration.

Passageways have been constructed at the dams along the river. Having made great strides with cleanup efforts, the return of fish is now quite apparent. This can be seen on any given day in the spring and summer along the Derby Greenway. Bald eagles and osprey can be spotted in the trees along the river, as well as nests from our aquatic birds that dot the edge.

[Originally 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: Dam collapse in 1891

*Coincidentally this Turnback Tuesday photo came up in my Facebook memories today. It was originally posted on this date in 2016.

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This week’s “Turnback Tuesday” photo was taken in 1891, just after the Housatonic Dam collapse on January 22nd of that year. Due to faulty construction, a buildup of ice combined with a heavy freshet washed away approximately 250 feet of the dam. This photo was taken on the Derby side of the river, most likely along Roosevelt Drive.
Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Sharing a 'Turnback Tuesday' post from this date in 2018

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" remembers the Derby Building and Lumber Company (W & L Lumber Co.) founded in 1835 by brothers Willis and Lewis Hotchkiss.

Both gentlemen were prominent builders, businessmen and citizens of Derby. Their company had a large yard with an office and its own dock on the Housatonic River.

In its early days, the company delivered timber and lumber on "teams" to Derby, Ansonia all the way up the Naugatuck Valley to Waterbury. A team of three heavy horses was quite the sight indeed.

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