'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.

'Turnback Tuesday' features businessman's Colonial-style house in Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at the home of Thomas Wallace of Wallace & Sons Manufacturing. Wallace arrived in Derby in 1841 and was employed at Howe Pin Manufacturing. He later branched off to create Wallace & Sons, a manufacturing company of brass and copper goods in Ansonia.

Thomas' home, a Colonial-style house with a center chimney (shown) was located at 187 Minerva St., Derby. He lived there with his family until 1872 and then moved to Cliff Street, Ansonia. It is not known if he was living in this location when the photo was taken.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Minerva Street in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday is showing an image of Minerva Street in Derby. 
This picture was taken standing by the Derby Green while looking north. The house on the right is still there today. 
If you look closely, you will notice hitching posts lining the street as well as shutters on many of the windows. 
Minerva was the name of one of Sheldon Smith's daughters. Smith was a co-founder of Birmingham.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features carriage blocks in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday takes a step: 
Carriage Stepping Stones/Carriage Blocks/ Mounting Blocks were a very common accessory along Derby streets at one time. 
These stones made it easier when stepping up or down from a carriage. You can see such a stone in this picture in front of the Wallace Homestead located on Minerva Street. There are still remnants of these useful stones in Derby even today.


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