From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Division Street Bridge

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a postcard from 1910 of the Division Street Bridge across the Naugatuck River. At the time, the bridge was in disrepair. According to the Evening Sentinel, six of the planks were so badly damaged that it was feared horses going across it would fall through. The bridge was eventually replaced after World War I and again after the 1955 flood with the bridge that currently still stands.
[First 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: 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.

First Selectwoman: Bridge in Seymour on Rt. 67 will be one lane today

The Bridge over Hoadley Pond on Rt. 67 will be down to one lane today [Monday].

They are cleaning out under the bridge and the pond. Thank you.

Shared from the Office of the First Selectwoman of Seymour Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' memory features Division Street bridge

A "Turnback Tuesday" memory from this date in 2017 features a postcard from 1910 of the Division Street Bridge across the Naugatuck River. At the time, the bridge was in disrepair. According to the Evening Sentinel, six of the planks were so badly damaged that it was feared horses going across it would fall through. The bridge was eventually replaced after World War I and again after the 1955 flood with the bridge that currently still stands.
Thanks as always goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history.

'Turnback Tuesday' features Bridge Street Bridge in Ansonia

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Ansonia Bridge Street Bridge. The Bridge goes over the Naugatuck River into downtown Ansonia. The original bridge was built in 1856 and again in 1861.

By 1909, the bridge was condemned because of deterioration. Then it was seriously damaged in the flood of January 1910. After some time and much negotiation and many repairs, a new concrete span was constructed by 1917.

Up on the hill towards the left is the First Congregational Church on South Cliff Street which was built in 1865. This image was taken sometime after that but before 1896.

Christ Episcopal Church which is also located on South Cliff Street was not built until 1896.

Thank you to Joe DiRienzo for his assistance with today's Turnback Tuesday.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features concrete bridge over Naugatuck River in Derby

Turnback Tuesday: Old Concrete Bridge over the Naugatuck River. Photo taken April,1908, looking west from the intersection we now know as Rt. 34/Main Street and Derby Avenue, originally known as the Junction or Transfer Point.

This concrete bridge allowed the Birmingham trolley to access New Haven. The building on the left is 14 Main St., John J. McEnerney Fire Insurance Co.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights bridge over Housatonic River

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Housatonic River.

This photo is looking east down the 148-mile long river. The Derby-Shelton Bridge is in the background.

The original bridge linking the two towns together was built in 1839. The covered bridge seen in this photo was replaced in 1891.

The Ansonia, Derby, and Shelton part of the river is tidal. It is said that there is good fishing where the tidal waters meet the flow of the dam.

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

Klarides-Ditria: Access improvements scheduled to begin on Derby-Shelton Bridge

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced that work intended to improve access for both cyclists and pedestrians on the the Derby-Shelton Bridge over the Housatonic River will begin April 1. The proposed work includes the coordination and movement of several utilities and an overall realignment of traffic resulting in a final configuration of three 11-foot travel lanes, two sidewalks (5-foot and roughly 8-foot) and a 10-foot bike lane.  The parapets will be reconstructed to meet new safety standards with the current historic shape and finish.  The existing lighting will also be upgraded and include decorative light standards. Additional details: SR 712 (Bridge Street) Between Howe Avenue and Route 34 (Main Street), the contractor will maintain a minimum of one 11-foot travel lane in each direction. Work will begin on the northern side of the structure and progress to the center of the bridge and finish with the reconstruction of the southern parapet. Access to and from the Derby Greenway will be maintained except during the actual construction of an upgraded access point. Additional informational press releases will be issued prior to stage changes alerting motorists to the new alignment.

Sincerely,

'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby-Shelton Bridge in 19th century

Turnback Tuesday is heading towards Shelton across the Derby-Shelton Bridge, a very busy bridge connecting the two towns.

Many men travelled across this bridge to and from work as manufacturing was on both sides of the river, plus all the businesses and merchants were located in downtown (Birmingham) Derby where just about everything you needed was available. Note: there is no trolley track in this photo, meaning it was taken prior to 1898.

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features Oxford/Monroe bridge over Housatonic

Turnback Tuesday highlights the Oxford/Monroe Suspension Bridge over the Housatonic River. 

The bridge was built in 1876 with Oxford and Monroe sharing the cost of construction. The hope was that this bridge would not be washed away like so many of its predecessors had been. 

Tolls were collected until the two towns recouped their expenses. 

The bridge did last until 1918 when the Stevenson Dam was built with a roadway along its top.

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

Work on Rt. 34 bridge planned in Derby this weekend

Dear Valley readers,

I'm sure most local folks know by now the Department of Transportation will be working this weekend on the heavily-traversed Route 34 span over the Naugatuck River in Derby.

But I'm sharing this information anyway, since it is a big deal for all of us who daily drive around these parts. 

Part of a press release follows:

"Lawmakers and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) are advising motorists to be aware of some much-needed work this weekend on the Route 34 bridge carrying traffic over the Naugatuck River in Derby.

"State Representatives Linda M. Gentile (D-Ansonia/Derby), Theresa Conroy (D-Beacon Falls/Derby/Seymour), and  Themis Klarides (R-Woodbridge/Orange/Derby, and State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge) have been advised by the DOT that, weather permitting, crews will close the Route 34 bridge between Friday, Sept. 9 at 10 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 12 at 5 a.m.  

"The closure will allow placement of a new concrete bridge deck. The bridge project is due to be completed in November."

From Ansonia to Brooklyn, and back

I realize this isn't really Valley-related. I took this on our return home from visiting our son in Brooklyn yesterday.

Cameron was born at Griffin Hospital in Derby and grew up in Ansonia, so I guess that is the Valley tie to this photo!

The Brooklyn Bridge, seen through the windshield in this photo, was closed for repairs this weekend.