From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Mansfield House in Ansonia

Turnback Tuesday visits the home of Rev. Richard Mansfield in Ansonia.

The house, built in 1700 in Derby, is a Colonial Saltbox. This home has four rooms located on the first floor: two rooms on the right as you walk in, one on the left and the kitchen (keeping room) in the back. The top floor boasts two bedrooms (sleeping chambers) in the front with two small half rooms in the back. There are two staircases: one in the front entry and one in the back off the sleeping chambers.

The home was originally located on Jewett Street where St. Joseph’s Church is now and was moved in 1926 and restored.

[First published on this date in 2018.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: The Home Trust Company

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features The Home Trust Company, which was incorporated by a special charter of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1893. The company was located on the corner of Main and Elizabeth Streets in Derby.

In 1901, Home Trust Co. built its own building at the same location and occupied half of the first floor. In 1922, an addition was built so the company could make use of the entire first floor. The bank dealt with "savings, real estate management, insurance and trust department functions."

In the 1970s, the bank was merged out of existence. Today, the building is home to the Derby Senior Center.

[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: community of Burtville

DERBY - This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo taken in the neighborhood of Burtville off Route 34 East before you get to Mt. St. Peter’s Cemetery.

This area once had its own church (shown.) The community takes its name from David Burt, who owned the land where the village now stands.

Considered quite a “character” in those days, Burt was brother-in-law to Rev. Stephen Jewett, rector of St. James Episcopal Church. In 1877, Mrs. D.M. Church organized a Sunday school class which grew into a mission, for which George Waterman donated a suite of rooms in the Reagan house that December.

Dr. B.F. Leach succeeded Mrs. Church as head of the mission, and Mrs. Martha Ticknor, adopted daughter and heir of the Burts, donated a site for the chapel adjoining the Burt home. The work was completed on July 6, 1879 at a cost of $500.

Charles H. French succeeded Dr. Leach as superintendent in 1883. Mrs. Charles French was organist, and Lorenzo D. Rockwell, sexton. There were 70 scholars registered at that time, representing the Baptist, Methodist, Congregational, and Episcopal denominations.

[First published on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Leman Stone's 'Castle'

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of Leman Stone's "Castle." It was built in 1785 to accommodate Stone's business with the West Indies. Stone occupied the "Castle" as his residence, a store and a warehouse for more than 20 years. 

Located in Derby Narrows where the Housatonic met the Naugatuck Rivers, it was a landmark by both land and sea. The walls on the water side of the building were very deep and five feet wide to withstand the freshets common at that time. The building was demolished in 1891.

[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: Derby Railroad Station

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Derby Railroad Station. It was taken after the mid-to-late 1900s, once the depot was built on the west side of the Naugatuck River. 

The Birmingham Iron Foundry is clearly seen behind it as well as the white-painted Sterling Piano Factory. 

The steeples of St. James and St. Mary's Churches are well in the background. The depot was originally on the east side of the Naugatuck River from 1849 to the early 1900s.

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Smith House in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of Marietta Smith’s House. Marietta was born on July 18, 1806 and was the daughter of James and Gloriana Shelton Smith of Derby.

In 1818 and 1819, she attended the Litchfield Female Academy.

Marietta Smith

She was known in Derby as a great conversationalist and was visited by many noted people. She died in 1889.

[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: Union House Hotel

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a photo of the Union House Hotel. It was located where St. Michael's Church is now, in East Derby. Benjamin Hubbell lived there. 

In the foreground is the Naugatuck River with a small boat.

[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: History of Derby house

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the Bennett home. It was built in 1721 by one Y. Perry. Perry sold the house in 1736 to Harthow Bennett, father of Deacon Daniel Bennett. 

In 1781, Deacon Bennett served breakfast to Due de Lauzun and a crew of his French officers after the troop of 600 soldiers spent the night on Sentinel Hill. 

Daniel Bennett was also the grandfather of Commodore Isaac Hull. The house was destroyed in 1890.

[First posted on this date in 2017.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Railroad station in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a picture postcard of the Derby-Shelton Railroad Station, located at 12 Main St., Derby. The building was originally constructed in 1903 by the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Companies.

Currently, the station is still a stop along the Waterbury Branch of Metro North Railroad, with connecting service to the New Haven line at the Bridgeport station.

[First posted on this date in 2017.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Holiday decorations in Derby

 

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a festive, holiday-themed photo of downtown Derby. The view is looking east on Main Street and taken near the Elizabeth Street intersection. The first break between buildings on the left is Minerva Street and off in the distance you can see the Farrel-Birmingham Co. building.

To the right of the photo is approximately where Woolworth's was located. This photo is thought to be circa the 1940s.

Our utmost thanks to local historian Rob Novak for providing this unique photo and information.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: First Derby Bank

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features an old First Derby Bank banknote. 

The First Derby Bank was incorporated in 1809 and prospered. With the demise of the Fishing Company, the bank laid dormant until it was resuscitated in 1824 by the Canfield brothers. Horace Canfield and his brother purchased both the Charter and the building that was used by the bank. John L. Tomlinson was made bank president and Edward Crafts, cashier. The Canfield brothers were the agents, i.e. the moving power of the bank. When Edward the cashier had in hand $100,000 obtained through the Canfields, he deposited the funds with Fulton Bank of New York. Notes such as this one were issued and read “The Derby Bank promises to pay at the Fulton Bank New York to N. Smith or bearer Two Dollars - Dated July 4th, 1825”. This note was signed by John L. Tomlinson. While the amount of $2 does not seem like much, if we fast forward to 2017, this note would be worth $47.12.
[First posted on this date in 2017.]
Thanks as always goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Sterling Piano Company

 This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features the Sterling Piano Company in Derby as well as a Sterling Piano manufactured there. The Sterling Organ Company, as it was originally known, was founded in 1845, and in 1860 added pianos to their line. In the 1880s they focused mostly on pianos. By the early 20th century, the company was actually headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y. but operated factories in both Derby and Shelton.

The popularity of radio later cut into their business, and the Derby factory was closed in 1926.

[First published on this date in 2015.]

Thanks as always 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: Derby Junction

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of *Derby Junction,* the common name for the intersection of Main Street (foreground), New Haven Avenue (background right) and Derby Avenue (off to the left.)

In this photo, Derby Junction is located more north than it is now since an adjacent bridge was built over the Naugatuck River. You can tell this based on the relative offset of St. Michael's Church. 

Today, the intersection is busier than ever with cars, trucks, buses, etc., but it was once a bustling site with horse drawn carriages and electric trolleys that made transfers to other locations at this spot. 

This picture is likely from the early 1900s.

[First posted on this date in 2015.]

Thanks as always goes to Derby Public Library staff for 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.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Storage building on Caroline Street

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a photo of the Peterson-Hendee Co. storage warehouse that used to be located on Caroline Street.

It was used to store flour, grain, and animal feed and also served as a mill. The president of the company was one John R. Peterson.

On July 13,1908 there was a fire in one of the nearby apartments that damaged the building, though the warehouse remained mostly intact. The warehouse remained open until 1930.

[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: Main Street in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo shows Main Street in Derby during the early 1900s. It's taken across from Hubbell Brothers Shoe Store and just beyond the intersection leading to the Derby-Shelton Bridge and what is now Route 34 to Monroe.

There is an electric trolley in the middle of the street - which helps date the photo - plus some horses and carriages parked on the roadside. A sanitation worker sweeps up the "products of horse combustion."

[First posted on this date in 2015.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Featuring Molly Hatchett

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of a basket made by Molly Hatchett. She was one of the last known surviving members of the Paugassett tribe in Derby. When she was alive, Hatchett was well-known for her baskets.

Leman Stone, agent for the land reservations in Derby, personally contracted her hut to be built. One account states that "she was a favorite among the people, and was looked upon with sad sympathy. The children in the streets flocked to meet her, and the old folks always paid her deference. A hundred families or more she visited once or twice a year, selling her little fancy stained baskets" (Orcott).

Molly died on Jan.17, 1829 and although her exact birth is unknown, she was said to have been nearly 100 years old when she died.

The basket shown here is currently on display in the Library's main level showcase.

[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: Derby YMCA

 

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features the Derby YMCA once located on Elizabeth Street.

The green building on the left with the green shutters is the Derby YMCA. It was located next to the Bassett House Hotel, which burned down in 1911, so that means the YMCA was also in Derby around that time.

Interestingly, it was in this building - previously home to Dr. Ambrose Beardsley - that Beardsley suggested naming "Ansonia" after Anson Phelps.

[First posted on this date in 2015.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby Post Office

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a picture of the Derby Post Office on Olivia Street built in 1932. The first Derby Post Office was actually on Main Street and was built in 1798.

The current Post Office is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It served as a fall-out shelter during World War II and has changed from this picture since being made ADA compliant in the 1990s.

[First posted on this date in 2015.]

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