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.

Derby Police seek info on 3-vehicle crash Saturday on Roosevelt Drive

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Dam collapse in 1891

This week’s “Turnback Tuesday” photo was taken in 1891, just after the Housatonic Dam collapse on January 22 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.

[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: Sugar Street in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo shows the old Sugar Street home of Garrett Smith and Z. Hallock. 

Sugar Street is now known as Roosevelt Drive or Route 34 West. It was called Sugar Street because in the mid 1800s, sugar and other products from the West Indies came into Derby Docks and were transported along this route.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

Derby Police post temporary closing of Roosevelt Drive

 

From Derby Police at 8:51 a.m.:

Roosevelt Drive (Route 34) is temporarily closed from Lakeview Terrace to Buckingham Rd due to wires and trees across the road. 

Construction crews anticipate it will be closed for the next 4 hours. Use alternative routes and drive with caution.

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 former 'Turnback Tuesday' post featuring Sugar Street in Derby

This is a post from several years ago featuring a 'Turnback Tuesday' photo of the old Sugar Street home of Garrett Smith and Z. Hallock.

Sugar Street is now known as Roosevelt Drive or Route 34 West.

It was called Sugar Street because in the mid- 1800s, sugar and other products from the West Indies came into Derby Docks and were transported along this route.

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

Part of Roosevelt Drive in Derby will be closed to traffic starting Aug.16