'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Derby High School cheerleaders

Turnback Tuesday steps back in time with the Class of 1946, or more specifically these lovely ladies of Derby High School cheerleaders: (l. to r.) Ellen Regan ‘47, Joan Kirby ’48 (later became captain), Lorraine Gaudio ’47, Catherine Cable ’46 (captain), Marion Kelly ’47, Mary Kenney ’46, and Anne Hollingsworth ’47.

DPL is in search of Derby High School sweaters to borrow for our display for the months of January and February 2025 in celebration of Derby’s 350th. 

With that, please remember to join us on Jan. 10 for our Sweater Weather Book Sale and Swap.

Digital image is a recent donation from the Kelleher family.

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: Derby Bank

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of the original Derby Bank. 

Although Derby "Savings" Bank is more well known, it was not the first bank in Derby. The original bank - known simply as "Derby Bank" - opened in 1809, fittingly on Bank Street, facing Jennings Lane. (Note: Derby Savings Bank didn't open until 1846.) Derby Bank was initially established in order to manage the profits brought in by the Derby Fishing Company. 

In fact, the two institutions were so closely linked that when the fishing company ultimately failed in 1815, Derby Bank closed down as well. 

The Bank re-opened briefly in 1824, but dissolved the following year.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Derby Avenue

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a photo of Derby Avenue taken sometime between 1887 and 1954.

Note: The first electric streetlight was installed on Derby Ave in 1887, and the Gates Mansion was torn down after Frank Gates passed away.

The Mansion is in the right foreground, behind which is the First Congregational Church. In the left foreground shows Dr. Pinney's home which now houses St. Michael's Post & Catholic War Veterans.

The St. Michael's Post parking lot was once the location of the Hallock-Barry home.

[First published 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: Farm couple in East Derby

This week's “Turnback Tuesday” photo is of Oliver B. Sherwood and his wife, Charlotte (Fowler) Sherwood.

Oliver was born in Greenfield Hill, Fairfield County, and moved to Derby with his father in 1817. Charlotte was born in Milford where the two met. They married on Sept. 3, 1836 and had four children together. Oliver was a farmer aka “seed grower” and distributed his produce all the way up to New York.

The photograph was apparently taken by one of Oliver’s relatives, Elizabeth Sherwood, in front of their home located on Derby Hill.

It was taken sometime during the late 1880s or early 1890s before Charlotte’s death in 1892. Sentinel Hill Road and Sodom Lane were both listed as cross streets, so the house was located somewhere in that area.

Oliver and Charlotte are buried in Oak Cliff Cemetery on Hawthorne Avenue in Derby.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Early transportation

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" looks at one of the early modes of transportation between Derby ("Birmingham”) and New Haven. This picture shows the stagecoach waiting for its next daily run to New Haven. 

Many modes of transportation have been employed over the years – walking, horseback, carts and wagons, carriages, railroads, rivers and canals, horse cars and horse railways, bicycles, trolleys and automobiles.

[First posted on this date on 2018.]

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

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Commodore Isaac Hull's house

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features Commodore Isaac Hull's house.

Hull was a Commodore in the United States Navy, and commanded several famous U.S. naval ships, including the USS Constitution. His uncle, William Hull, was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and adopted Isaac when he was a young boy after his father had died.

The U.S. Navy has named five ships in honor of Isaac Hull, including the USS Commodore Hull, the USS Hull (DD-7), the USS Hull (DD-330), the USS Hull (DD-350) and the USS Hull (DD-945).

In addition, the portion of Route 8 that spans the Housatonic River between Derby and Shelton is named the Commodore Isaac Hull Memorial Bridge in his honor.

[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: 'The Wharf'

This week’s “Turnback Tuesday” is a photo taken around 1895. From the information we have, it depicts a Mrs. H.A. Campbell standing on “The Wharf.” 

In the background is a boat containing a party of Derby people - including Rev. Fellows - apparently on their way to Indian Well. 

We welcome any additional info from our Facebook followers regarding this scene’s location, viewing perspective, bios, etc.

[This was 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: Horse railroad company

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features a car from the Birmingham and Ansonia Horse Railroad Company. This is the only known photograph of the equipment from this short-lived operation. 

The franchise and track were purchased in 1889 by the same Col. H. Holton Wood who - along with his wife - presented and dedicated our beloved Library on Dec. 27,1902 in memory of their son, Harcourt, who died in February, 1897 at the tender age of 11.

[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: Ambulance used at Griffin Hospital

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features the ambulance used at Griffin Hospital in Derby. It is believed to be built by the Seaman Body Co. for Nash Motors in 1920.

This ambulance is a coach body with a closed cab. Coach cab made it possible to customize or built to suit a specific purpose. Behind the driver seat is an opera window. Cowl lights are located on either side by the front windshield.

Because this was a commercial vehicle, brass was no longer used for the accessories. The wheels were wooden with ten spokes.

[First posted 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: 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: Purdy Drug Co. in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features The Purdy Drug Company. 

Established in 1894/1895 by Harrison E. Purdy, the company was first located at 68 Main St. in Derby, which was where this image was taken. 

The Purdy Drug Co. then moved sometime in the 1930s and remained at 59 Fourth St. until it closed in the 60s. Harrison was the company President and Treasurer while his wife, Anna, was the Secretary.

[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: Sterling Piano Co. in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Sterling Piano Company in Derby. It is shown overlooking the canal that united Ansonia and Birmingham in the Water Street area. It has since been filled in, with Home Depot now occupying the spot that was previously occupied by Farrel Corp. until the year 2000.

In the background is the Naugatuck River.

[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: Businessman's house in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features a photo of Andrew Johnson's house. 

It was built in 1798 on the corner of Bank and Gilbert Streets. The house was dismantled in 1928 and supposedly relocated to Westchester County, N.Y. 

Johnson was one of Truman Gilbert's business partners, who had established Derby's first lumber yard. Johnson was born in April of 1765, but details of his death are unknown.

[First posted on this date in 2018.]

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

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: Franklin School in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features the Franklin School in Derby.  As many know, this building still exists as the Franklin Apartments on Bank Street. 

The school was originally built in 1902 and served as Derby's primary grade school after the Gilbert Street School closed. The Franklin School closed in 1980, and was converted into the Franklin Apartments in the late 1990s.

[First published 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: The Willmann House

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo is of the Willmann House on Fifth Street in Derby.

Joseph Willmann, originally from Germany, owned a factory along the Housatonic River in Derby. At one time, he held a patent for an ice-cream making machine issued in 1910.

[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: R & G Jewelry Store in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" is a photo of the inside of the R & G Jewelry Store, which stood next to Hotchkiss' Drug Store on Main Street in Derby. 

Robert and Ned Gardner are behind the counters. This photo was taken about 1890.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

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

'Turnback Tuesday' features McGarr Saloon on Smith Street in Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at Michael J. McGarr of Derby.

According to our research, Michael was born in 1865 and married in 1895. He opened McGarr Saloon in 1905 at 68 Smith St., Derby and ran the business until 1914. Michael and his family lived at 5 Cherry St. just behind the business.

This great image of visitors was taken at 5 Cherry St. On the back, it is labeled "McGarr Refreshment Stand." Unfortunately, we do not have a date of the image although it would seem it was taken sometime between 1905 and 1914.

This image was a recent donation in the memory of the Farley family.

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