'Turnback Tuesday' features old photograph of today's Route 34

Turnback Tuesday has this incredible image of what we now call "Route 34." This was taken from Bradley’s Bridge looking north in the early 1900s. The road to the right by the two houses is Orchard Street.

The stone walls next to the tracks and Orchard Street are still there as well as the two homes.

Digital image donated by the Berman family.

Thank you to Joe DiRienzo for his research assistance.

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

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights second flood of 1955

 

Turnback Tuesday takes another look at the second flood of 1955. This took place in October with rain falling from the 14th - 17th. It brought about from 12” to 14” of rain.

The two images are of the Derby Bridge over the Naugatuck River looking at St. Michael's Church located at the intersection of Derby Avenue and Rt. 34.

The water rose in October, and as you can see, almost as much as it did in August. This meant those who were digging out from the first flood had to do so again in October.

Image one was taken on 8-19-1955 at 2 p.m. and image 2 was taken on 10-16-1955. These two images are on display along with many others at Derby Public library until the end of September.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Actor's Colony Inn in Seymour

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" looks at this old postcard of Actors' Colony Inn on Route 34 in Seymour.

The Inn was THE hot spot in the 1960s where entertainment legends like Tony Bennett, Frankie Avalon, and Tom Jones performed. Later it became a popular catering hall for sports banquets and family gatherings.

[First published on this date in 2018.]

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

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: 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.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Roosevelt Drive along Housatonic River

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" takes a peek at Roosevelt Drive (Route 34) along the Housatonic River. This postcard shows the junction of Roosevelt Drive and Route 188 in Seymour. 

Roosevelt Drive starts at Route 111 in Monroe and travels east to Derby. At Bridge Street in Derby, the road's name changes to Main Street.

[First posted on this date in 2018.]

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.

Derby Police: Main Street paving to begin Monday morning

DERBY - Main Street (Route 34) paving will begin tomorrow, Dec. 2, 2024, at 7 a.m. Expect delays and plan accordingly. Work will take place throughout the entire week.

Please pay attention to signage and follow detours where applicable. Watch out for workers in the area and proceed with caution.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve the road!

This is shared from the Derby Police Department Facebook page.

Derby updates residents on area flooding issues, road closures

 

Good morning, Derby residents, Route 34, near the Stevenson Dam, in Oxford and Monroe is closed due to multiple road collapses secondary to flooding.

Additionally, rail service on the Waterbury Line has been suspended since 8 pm Sunday evening. Please continue to use caution due to multiple closures and water covering roadways throughout the region.

Shared from City of Derby Facebook page.

From 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Actors' Colony Inn in Seymour

Posted on this date in 2018:

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" looks at this old postcard of the Actors' Colony Inn on Route 34 in Seymour. 

The Inn was THE hot spot in the 1960s where entertainment legends like Tony Bennett, Frankie Avalon, and Tom Jones performed. Later it became a popular catering hall for sports banquets and family gatherings.

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

Meeting slated Feb. 17 on Route 34 widening project

 

Rochelle reminds residents lane closures continue on Rte. 34 in Derby

DERBY - Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 34 in Derby Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 16. There will be no roadwork on October 11. Learn more about the scheduled closure on the CT Department of Transportation website here.

Klarides-Ditria: DOT announces guide rail upgrade on Route 34 in Seymour, Derby

The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced a guide rail upgrade project will be performed on Route 34 in Seymour and Derby.

The project consists of upgrading existing wood pole guide rail systems to current standard systems on Route 34 at various intersections between Route 188 and the Oxford town line. 

Work is scheduled to begin Sept. 15 and continue through Oct. 16. No work will be performed on the day before or the day after the Columbus Day Holiday.

Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 34. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. (Monday – Friday).

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.

Motorists are advised to remain alert, drive cautiously, and to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

Sincerely,




This is a press release from state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria.

'Turnback Tuesday' features train depot, Derby Avenue in E. Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at another view of East Derby. 

This is an image of what is now CT 34 / Derby Avenue looking North taken sometime between 1903 and 1905. 

On the left is the train depot, and the building on the right is 63-67 Derby Ave. The red arrow shows the business of J Sarra & Sons (a.k.a. Joseph, Pasquale & John) grocer and saloon. This was their second location in Derby. 

In 1906, the family moved to New Britain. You'll notice St. Michael’s Church is not there yet as construction of the church started in 1906.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features picture postcard of 3 streets in East Derby

Turnback Tuesday visits East Derby at the corner of New Haven Avenue (Rt. 34), Old New Haven Avenue, and Prospect Street. 
This postcard is looking north up Prospect. To the left is what is now Route 34 with the photographer standing on Old New Haven Avenue. 
The small home in the center is 58 New Haven Ave., and the home to the extreme right is 7 Prospect St. Both are still there today with some changes. 
This postcard was given to the library May 11, 1908.

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

Re-post: 2 years ago today 'Turnback Tuesday' featured Derby Turnpike

Turnback Tuesday features the Derby Turnpike. The Derby Turnpike Co. was chartered to build a toll road from New Haven to Derby in 1798. 

The Derby Turnpike was the longest-lived of the state’s early toll roads and only stopped collecting tolls in 1895. This picture showed the Turnpike's clover leaf junction with the Wilbur Cross Parkway (Exits 57-58) which opened at the end of 1941. The Turnpike's modern name is Route 34.

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

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

Derby demolition on south side of Main Street completed

Shared from Mayor Richard Dziekan's Facebook page:

"Last building down on south side of Route 34. Moving forward."

Four buildings were taken down this month to make room for the Route 34 widening project.

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Roosevelt Drive

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" takes a peek at Roosevelt Drive (Route 34) along the Housatonic River. 

This postcard shows the junction of Roosevelt Drive and Route 188 in Seymour. Roosevelt Drive starts at Route 111 in Monroe and travels east to Derby. 

At Bridge Street in Derby, the road's name changes to Main Street.

Thanks go to Derby Public Library for sharing this local history each week.