Derby is a city in
New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, approximately west-northwest of
New Haven. It is located in southwest Connecticut at the confluence of the
Housatonic and
Naugatuck rivers. It shares borders with the cities of
Ansonia to the north and
Shelton to the southwest, and the towns of
Orange to the south,
Seymour to the northwest, and
Woodbridge to the east. The city is part of the
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. The population was 12,325 at the
2020 census. It is the smallest city in Connecticut by area, at .
Derby was settled in 1642 as an Indian trading post under the name Paugasset. It was named after
Derby, England, in 1675. It included what are now Ansonia, Seymour,
Oxford
Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town.
The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...
, and parts of
Beacon Falls.
Derby is home to the first electric
trolley system in
New England
New England is a region consisting of six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York (state), New York to the west and by the ...
, only the second in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. It is also home to the first
electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or on-board energy storage such as a Battery (electricity), battery or a supercapacitor. Locomotives with on-board fuelled prime mover (locomotive), ...
in U.S. history to be built and successfully used commercially for hauling freight. The locomotive, built in 1888, is still kept in running condition by the
Shore Line Trolley Museum.
History
Colonial and Revolutionary era
Derby was settled in 1642 as an Indian trading post under the name Paugasset by John Wakeman of New Haven, though fur traders had been in the area before and
Native Americans had lived there for centuries. In 1651, the first year-round houses were completed, at which time the
New Haven Colony had recognized Paugasset as a town. The residents of the town of
Milford protested Paugasset's recognition as an independent town and, as a result, the order was rescinded and Paugasset returned to the
Milford jurisdiction. In 1675, the former plantation of Paugasset was admitted as the township of Derby by the state legislature, named after
Derby, England. Derby was incorporated on May 13, 1775.
1800s
In 1836, the Colman brothers began the Birmingham Iron Foundry on the corner of Main Street and Water Street. It employed between 100 and 125 people, and was one of the many manufacturing businesses thriving in the city in the 1800s. In 1927, the company merged with
Farrel Corporation of nearby Ansonia and was renamed Farrel-Birmingham Corporation. The Derby facility closed and was razed in 2000 to make way for a
Home Depot. The Ansonia division is still in business, and opened their new plant in the Fountain Lake Commerce Park in 2017.
In the 19th century, corsets and hoop skirts were manufactured in the city. The
Kraus Corset Factory is the oldest major factory building to survive from Derby's corset manufacturing period. It was built by Sidney A. Downs, opened in 1879, and expanded in 1910. In 1987 it was added to the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
. In the 1990s it was converted to apartments and underwent a second addition; a first floor parking garage and three stories of apartments were added on the north side along Roosevelt Drive (
Connecticut Route 34).
In 1872, the
Derby Silver Company began production. In 1898, the company became a division of the
International Silver Company headquartered in
Meriden, but continued making silver with its brand name until 1933.
1900s
Charlton Comics, a comic book publishing company that existed from 1944 to 1986, was based in Derby.
Towns created from Derby
*
Oxford
Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town.
The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...
in 1798
*
Seymour in 1850
*
Beacon Falls in 1871 (also partly from neighboring towns)
*
Ansonia in 1889
Neighborhoods
* Downtown
* West Derby
* Derby Neck
* East Derby
* Hilltop
Geography
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the town has a total area of 5.4 square miles (8.7 km
2), of which is land and (7.41%) is water. The city is home to the
Osbornedale State Park. Derby is divided into two main sections by the
Naugatuck River: East Derby and Derby Center (Birmingham). The center of Derby is approximately from
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
. The lowest elevation is 3 ft (1m) and the highest elevation is 466 ft (142m) above sea level.
Climate
The climate in the area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
system, Derby has a
humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...
, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. January is on average the coolest month and July is on average the warmest month.
Demographics
As of the
census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2010, there were 12,902 people, 5,388 households, and 3,241 families residing in the town. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...
was 2,563 people per square mile. There were 5,849 housing units at an average density of 1,169.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 82.08%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 7.06%
Black
Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...
or
African American
African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
, 0.2%
Native American, 2.6%
Asian, 0.0%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 4.2% from
other races, and 2.6% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or
Latino people of any race were 14.2% of the population.
There were 5,388 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were
married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 23% under the age of 19, 6.2% from 20 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years.
The median income for a household in the town was $32,438, and the median income for a family was $57,790. The
per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year.
In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the town was $32,438. 12.7% of the population is below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
.
Polish immigration
Polish immigrants have left a large mark on the demographics of the town, with 18% of all residents claiming Polish as their ethnicity and 2% as having been born in Poland. Due to this large population, the town features several Polish shops, restaurants, and clubs.
Saint Michael's the Archangel Parish, a
Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
church, serves mass in
Polish as well as English.
A high percentage of Derby residents trace their ancestry back to Italy. 27.3% of inhabitants claim Italian ancestry, ranking it 8th in the State of Connecticut. Derby is located in New Haven County, which has one of the highest percentages of Italian-Americans in the United States.
Culture
Annual events
* Derby Day
* Concert on the Green
* Derby Green Farmers' Market
* Derby/Shelton Memorial Day Parade
* Head of the Housatonic Regatta
* Valley New Year
* Derby/Shelton Fourth of July fireworks
* Easter Egg Hunt
* Summerfest on the Green
Museums
*
Osborne Homestead Museum
*
General David Humphreys House Museum, Derby Historical Society headquarters (located in
Ansonia)
Cuisine and nightlife
The city is home to 27 food establishments from
fast food to
sit-down dining.
''
Connecticut Magazine'', the ''
New Haven Register'', and the ''
Hartford Courant
The ''Hartford Courant'' is the largest daily newspaper in the U.S. state of Connecticut, and is advertised as the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States. A morning newspaper serving most of the state north of New Haven and ...
'' named the Dew Drop Inn "Best Chicken Wings in Connecticut, 2018", "Best in New Haven County, 2019" and "Statewide Runner-up for best Chicken Wings, 2019", trailing only J5's Air Fryer Wings of
Southington. Archie Moore's Bar & Restaurant received "Statewide Winner for Best Nachos, 2019" from ''Connecticut Magazine''. Zuppardi's Apizza, a prominent
New Haven-style pizza restaurant, has a satellite location on the property. For three consecutive years (2017–2019), the venue was named the "Best Beer Garden" in Connecticut by ''Connecticut Magazine''.
In 2017, BADSONS Beer Company, a
craft brewery, purchased the former Die Company on
Roosevelt Drive to begin production. The name of the brewery is an acronym for the towns that comprise the
Naugatuck River Valley: Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck, and Shelton.
Economics
In 2017,
Moody's Investors Service
Moody's Ratings, previously and still legally known as Moody's Investors Service and often referred to as Moody's, is the bond credit rating business of Moody's Corporation, representing the company's traditional line of business and its histo ...
downgraded the city's
bond rating from AA to AA−, citing "weak budgetary performance" in 2016.
Grand list
2016 – $1,028,072,826.82
2010 – $1,091,576,401.00
Mill rate
* Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 – 39.37
* Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 – 26.40
Notable businesses
* Aqua Vim (future) – aquarium manufacturer undergoing move from
Queens, New York
Queens is the largest by area of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered by the ...
to Derby
*
Charlton Comics (1944–1986) – comic book company based in Derby
* Curved Glass Distributors (1970–present) – glass manufacturer based in Derby
*
Derby Silver Company (1872–1933) – international silver company based in Derby
*
Griffin Hospital (1909–present) – community hospital, largest employer in Derby, with 1,357 employees (2010)
* THC – The Hops Company (2015–present) – voted ''Connecticut Magazine''s best Beer Garden in Connecticut 2017 and Best Beer Bar in Connecticut 2017–2018
Redevelopment projects
Factory Street Square
In 2018, a development group working with the owners of the Baretta Landscaping property submitted a
conceptual design to the
planning and zoning commission for a four-phase 400-unit
high density residential and commercial development on Factory Street in downtown Derby. The project, called Factory Street Square, was to be built in four phases over the next four to six years on unused
light industrial property. The proposed buildings would sit on five acres of near-vacant land, and would be four stories high with first floor
retail
Retail is the sale of goods and services to consumers, in contrast to wholesaling, which is the sale to business or institutional customers. A retailer purchases goods in large quantities from manufacturers, directly or through a wholes ...
shops and
restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and Delivery (commerce), food delivery services. Restaurants ...
s, with residential space above. The project, tailored toward attracting
Millennials
Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, are the demographic cohort following Generation X and preceding Generation Z. Researchers and popular media use the early 1980s as starting birth years and the mid-1990s to early 2000s a ...
and
empty nesters to the area, will offer amenities not seen in other residential complexes in the city, including a
health club;
indoor golf simulator;
rooftop garden;
dog-sitting, walking, and
grooming service; and an
in-complex library. The site is located one block from rail and bus lines that meet at the
Derby-Shelton Railroad Station, making the project a
transit-oriented development. The project was expected to begin in late 2019 to early 2020.
South side of Main Street
Since 2003, the city and state have been demolishing buildings on the south side of Main Street (
Connecticut Route 34) in order to widen the roadway from two to four lanes divided by a median. Multiple development projects have been proposed, from
high density mixed use to
big-box retail plazas, but none have been successful. In 2019, the last four buildings on the south side of Main Street were demolished; following delays, the widening project had a tentative construction start date of early 2020. The Factory Street Square project is the most recent proposal. Rather than attempting to
redevelop the entire 23-acre parcel, the proposal only encompasses five acres.
Pershing Square Shopping Center
In 2014, Valley Bowl, a popular local
bowling alley, was razed to erect a modern
shopping plaza and realign an offset
intersection. The realignment of the entrance was a joint venture between the Pershing Square developers and the developers of the adjacent property, Red Raider Plaza. Shortly after the completion of the plaza, it was purchased by
Greenwich
Greenwich ( , , ) is an List of areas of London, area in south-east London, England, within the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Greater London, east-south-east of Charing Cross.
Greenwich is notable for its maritime hi ...
-based
Urstadlt Biddle Properties Inc. for $9 million.
Red Raider Plaza
In 2011,
Walgreen Company, a
national retail pharmacy chain, purchased Red Raider Plaza for $7.15 million with plans to remodel one of the buildings and demolish the other to make room for a Walgreens Pharmacy. Following the announcement that Walgreens would acquire
Rite Aid in 2015, Walgreens froze the construction of all new stores, including the Derby store. Walgreens maintains building ownership, and continued the
redevelopment with some changes. The plaza received a significant renovation, parking lot improvements, and realignment of one of the entrances.
Government
Local
City government
The city government consists of a nine-member board of
aldermen and alderwomen,
board of education,
board of finance,
planning and zoning commission, and many other appointed boards and commissions. The current
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
is Joseph DiMartino (
D), who has served since 2023.
The board of aldermen and alderwomen for the 2023-2025 term is separated into three districts within the city and headed by Sarah Widomski, President of the Board.
Regional government
Derby is part of the
Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, a regional planning organization that assists member cities/towns with
transportation
Transport (in British English) or transportation (in American English) is the intentional Motion, movement of humans, animals, and cargo, goods from one location to another. Mode of transport, Modes of transport include aviation, air, land tr ...
,
economic development
In economics, economic development (or economic and social development) is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and object ...
,
brownfield development,
land use,
environmental and emergency planning,
grant writing, etc.
State
In the
Connecticut General Assembly, Derby is represented by State Senator
Jorge Cabera(D-17), State Representatives
Mary Welander (D-114) and Kara Rochelle (D-104), and Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105).
Derby also has a State of Connecticut
Superior Courthouse on Elizabeth Street adjacent to the
Derby Green.
Federal
, Connecticut's
United States Senators are
Richard Blumenthal
Richard Blumenthal ( ; born February 13, 1946) is an American politician, lawyer, and United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps veteran serving as the Seniority in the United States Senate, senior United States Senate, United States senator from ...
(D) and
Chris Murphy (D). Connecticut has five
representatives in the U.S. House, all of whom are Democrats.
Education
There are five public schools and one private school in Derby. As of the 2017–2018 school year there were 1,386 students enrolled in public schools and 159 enrolled in private school. The total number of students enrolled in public and private schools is 1,545.
On January 12, 2018, a former
Extended Care Health facility was sold to Apex International Education Partners, to be converted into dormitories for international high school students attending private schools in the area. The dormitory was opened on September 19, 2018, and at full capacity it can accommodate 110 students and 10–12 employees.
Crime
According to USA.com crime statistics, Derby has the 14th highest crime rate per capita in Connecticut, of the 89 reporting cities. In 2017, Derby had one
homicide
Homicide is an act in which a person causes the death of another person. A homicide requires only a Volition (psychology), volitional act, or an omission, that causes the death of another, and thus a homicide may result from Accident, accidenta ...
, two
rapes, 16
robberies, 23
aggravated assaults, 35
burglaries, 238
larcenies, 33
motor vehicle thefts, and two
arsons.
Criminal cases are prosecuted by the State's Attorney's Office. Derby also has a State of Connecticut
Superior Courthouse on Elizabeth Street adjacent to the
Derby Green.
Notable crimes
The Derby Poisoner
Lydia Sherman was a serial killer active from 1864 to 1871 in
New York and Derby, poisoning and killing three husbands and eight children. She is known to have killed one husband and two children in Derby in 1867. She was nicknamed "The Derby Poisoner" for using
arsenic to kill her victims. Sherman was convicted of
second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1872. She died in 1878 in prison.
Ferrera family triple homicide
On August 12, 1989, three members of the Ferrera family on Emmitt Avenue were stabbed to death by Derek Roseboro. Their bodies were discovered by a family member late that evening. The suspect, Roseboro, was soon found in
New Haven with a self-inflicted stab wound, and admitted to having committed the crimes. He was sentenced to 130 years in prison in 1992 and spared the
death penalty.
Public safety
Healthcare
*
Griffin Hospital is a 160-bed
acute-care facility located at 130 Division Street in Derby. Nearby trauma centers include
Yale–New Haven Hospital,
Hospital of St. Raphael,
Bridgeport Hospital, and
Saint Vincent's Hospital.
*
The Center for Cancer Care is a state-of-the-art cancer center affiliated with the
Yale-New Haven Health System. It is located at 350 Seymour Avenue in Derby.
*
Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center is one of the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)'s 26 Prevention Research Centers. It was established in 1998 with a grant from the CDC. It is part of the
Yale School of Public Health, and is based at Griffin Hospital in Derby. It also operates out of the Community Alliance for Research Engagement at
Yale University
Yale University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Stat ...
. Its focuses are the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as
obesity
Obesity is a medical condition, considered by multiple organizations to be a disease, in which excess Adipose tissue, body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it can potentially have negative effects on health. People are classifi ...
and
heart disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is any disease involving the heart or blood vessels. CVDs constitute a class of diseases that includes: coronary artery diseases (e.g. angina pectoris, angina, myocardial infarction, heart attack), heart failure, ...
. The center's director is
David L. Katz.
Law enforcement
Derby Police Department
The Derby Police Department provides police services to the residents of the city, and is located at 125 Water Street. As of 2016 the department had 36 sworn police officers. The current Chief of Police is Gerald D. Narowski.
State police agencies
*
Connecticut State Police Troop I patrols nearly two miles of
Connecticut Route 8, which runs through the city.
*
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection/EnCon Police is the primary police service for 417 acres of
Osbornedale State Park and
The Osbournedale Homestead.
Lake Housatonic Authority
The Lake Housatonic Authority acts an agent for member towns along Lake Housatonic in regards to patrolling and ensuring safe operation of watercraft. Patrol officers are trained by the Connecticut Police Academy in
Meriden, Connecticut. They are also trained in
first aid,
CPR, boating law, and safety regulations.
Fire department and emergency medical services
The City of Derby is served by volunteer firefighters in the Derby Fire Department. Emergency medical services (EMS), rescue services, and hazardous materials (HAZ-MAT) mitigation have been provided by Storm Engine Co. Ambulance & Rescue Corps since 1948.
Parks & recreation
Derby Greenway
The
Derby Greenway is a 2.05 mile-long multipurpose trail located on the west side of Derby along the
Naugatuck and
Housatonic Rivers. The Greenway is part of the Naugatuck River Greenway Trail System, a proposed 44-mile multipurpose trail that follows the Naugatuck River from
Torrington to Derby. The Derby section of the Naugatuck River Greenway System is the busiest multipurpose trail in Connecticut, with 302,550 trips counted in 2017.
Osbornedale State Park
Osbornedale State Park is a 417-acre (0.652 sq mi) state park located in Derby and partially in
Ansonia. It was established in 1956 after being willed to the state in 1951 by industrialist and dairy farmer
Frances Osborne Kellogg. The park includes the
Osbornedale Homestead, the Kellogg Environmental Center, Pickett's Pond, and an extensive system of hiking trails. The entrance to the park is located on Chatfield Street across from the entrance to
Derby High School and Middle School. The park offers
field sports,
hiking,
ice skating,
museum tours,
picnicking,
pond fishing, and rental of pavilions for outings. There is no fee for parking, and the park is open from sunrise to sunset.
PFC Frank P. Witek Memorial Park
The
Frank P. Witek Memorial Park is a 144-acre park on the east side of the city dedicated to
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
recipient
Frank P. Witek, who was born in Derby on December 10, 1921. The property, formerly a reservoir, dates back to 1859 when the burgeoning Borough of Birmingham (present-day Downtown Derby) needed a stable water supply. The newly established Birmingham Water Company bought the area, which was mostly meadows and farmland, to create two reservoirs by damming area brooks. The land was purchased by the city in 1997 and dedicated on May 29, 1999. In addition to the two ponds (former reservoirs), there are hiking/walking trails and two soccer fields which the city built in 2006.
Landmarks and monuments
National Register of Historic Places
*
Birmingham Green Historic District – A total of 10 buildings, three of which are churches, and four monuments encompass the district. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 as a good example of privately organized 19th-century urban planning.
*
John I. Howe House – Built in 1845, it was built for John Ireland Howe,
pin manufacturing pioneer of the Howe Pin Company. In 1838, Howe moved his business from
New York to Derby. The Howe House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
*
Kraus Corset Factory – Historic corset manufacturer, now the Sterling Rowe Apartment House on the corner of Roosevelt Drive and Third Street.
*
Osborne Homestead – Historic nineteenth-century farmhouse. Today, the state operates it as the Osborne Homestead Museum. The land surrounding it is
Osbornedale State Park.
*
Sterling Opera House –
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart ( ; July 24, 1897 – January 5, 1939) was an American aviation pioneer. On July 2, 1937, she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the world. During her li ...
,
John L. Sullivan,
Harry Houdini,
George Burns,
Lionel Barrymore,
Ethel Barrymore,
Red Skelton, and
John Philip Sousa appeared on this stage. It was the first building in Connecticut to be added to the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
in 1968.
*
Harcourt Wood Memorial Library – Built in 1902 with
Ansonia marble, the library was founded as a free reading room in 1868. The land was provided by the Sarah Riggs Humphreys Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, on the condition that the building would always have a room the chapter could use.
Landmarks
National Humane Alliance fountain
The city has resurrected its National Humane Alliance fountain—a century-old granite structure with lion-head spigots—as part of a gateway entrance plaza at the Division Street entrance to the Derby Greenway. The fountain was given to the city in 1906 by the National Humane Alliance, and was erected at the intersection of Seymour and Atwater Avenues. The water was first turned on on June 1, 1906. Years later it was moved to Founders Commons when traffic patterns made its original location a problem. It fell into disrepair and was not used as a fountain while on Founders Commons. When the Derby Greenway was built, the fountain was moved to its new location on June 22, 2006, fully restored with new plumbing and new lions' heads, and was formally dedicated with the surrounding Derby Hall of Fame Plaza on September 1, 2007. The fountain has three levels: the top level contains spigots in the shape of lion's heads for humans, below is a large circular bowl for horses, and at the base are smaller bowls for dogs and cats.

Civil War Monument
In 1875, the Elisha S. Kellogg Post of the Grand Party of the Republic raised $1,475 to erect a statue to honor the soldiers of Derby and Huntington (now
Shelton) who served in the
Union forces. In 1878, an unknown person made a donation of $1,500 for the statue base, which made it possible to proceed with erecting the statue. The base was dedicated on July 4, 1877. Several years later, $3,200 was pledged for a remodel of the existing base and the addition of an upper base and a 7 ft bronze statue, bringing the total height of the monument to 21 ft 4in. The remodel and addition were constructed by Maurice J. Power of New York City; the sculptor of the bronze statue is unknown. The dedication of the remodel/addition was held on July 4, 1883, and was attended by approximately 8,000 people. The monument was restored in 2018 at a cost of $75,000.
Old Derby Uptown Burial Ground (Colonial Cemetery)
The city was one of, if not the first in the country, to create a public burial ground not affiliated with a church. The first known burial is that of Reverend John Bowers, in 1687, the first
minister of Derby. There is a period of 241 years between the first and last stones placed in the cemetery. The cemetery is open to the public, and is located at the intersection of Derby Avenue and Academy Hill Road.
Notable events
2001 anthrax attacks
On November 16, 2001, 94 year-old Ottilie Lundgren of
Oxford
Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town.
The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...
was brought to
Griffin Hospital in Derby, experiencing difficulty breathing and cold-like symptoms. Based on her symptoms and rapidly deteriorating condition, doctors suspected and began testing for
anthrax. A response was made to the hospital from the
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...
,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the National public health institutes, national public health agency of the United States. It is a Federal agencies of the United States, United States federal agency under the United S ...
,
Connecticut State Police, Connecticut State Health Department, and Derby Fire Department
HAZ-MAT team. The test was confirmed and treatment began, but was unsuccessful, and Lundgren died on November 22, 2001, making her the fifth and final victim of the
2001 anthrax attacks
The 2001 anthrax attacks, also known as Amerithrax (a portmanteau of "United States, America" and "anthrax", from its FBI case name), occurred in the United States over the course of several weeks beginning on September 18, 2001, one week after th ...
.
Derby and Griffin Hospital made worldwide news for days following the incident, and most major news outlets provided 24-hour news coverage for updates on Lundgren's condition. Investigators thought that the anthrax was delivered in a letter via the
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service (USPS), also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or simply the Postal Service, is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the executive branch of the federal governmen ...
to her home in Oxford, but no suspicious letters were found, and the exact route of exposure was never determined. Post offices in
Seymour and
Wallingford were investigated, as they were the only two post offices that sent mail to Lundgren's home; however, both facilities were determined to be clean. Lundgren's home in Oxford was quarantined and searched by the FBI and
Connecticut State Police, but nothing was found that indicated how she had been exposed.
In 2008, following a lengthy investigation that repeatedly came up empty, the FBI's primary suspect was
Bruce Edwards Ivins, a
microbiologist,
vaccinologist, and senior
biodefense researcher at the
United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) at
Fort Detrick,
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...
. However, Irvins took his own life shortly after the FBI named him as the primary suspect, and no formal charges or direct evidence has been found to substantiate these accusations. In 2010, the FBI closed the investigation into the attacks.
River Restaurant explosion
On December 6, 1985, at approximately 3:45pm EST, a three-story brick building, located at 268 Main Street in Derby, collapsed following a natural gas explosion, killing six people and injuring dozens. Natural gas had seeped into the sewer line following construction in the area. The River Restaurant located on the main level of the building had 18 customers and employees inside when the explosion occurred. Residents and businesses within a ten-block radius were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters worked to find those trapped in the debris. The Connecticut Fire Marshal's Office,
Connecticut State Police, and
National Transportation Safety Board investigated and found a crack in a four-inch cast iron pipe near the explosion site. Connecticut's "Call Before You Dig" program is a direct response to this incident.
Caroline Street fire
On August 12, 1991, at approximately 6:56pm EST, a fire broke out in the basement of a three-story, six-family home located at 269 Caroline Street. First arriving units found heavy fire in the nearly 100-year-old building along with reports of multiple trapped residents. The fire department rapidly struck a second and third alarm for additional resources from the surrounding area, including
Ansonia,
Shelton,
Seymour, and
Orange. In total, 18 people escaped or were rescued from the building, but a mother and her two children were killed in the fire. The Fire Marshal's Office investigated and determined the cause of the fire was accidental.
Flood of 1955
August 10–12, 1955 brought heavy rain to the east coast from
Hurricane Connie, saturating the ground. A week later when
Hurricane Diane passed through, the rain water had nowhere to go. As a result, the
Housatonic and
Naugatuck Rivers over flowed their banks and devastated the
Housatonic and
Naugatuck River Valley areas. The crest of the Naugatuck River reached 25.70 ft above flood stage, the highest in recorded history, which it still maintains to this day. Low-lying cities in the area, such as Derby, Shelton, Ansonia, Seymour, Beacon Falls, and Oxford all suffered impacts from the flood. In total, 87 people were killed and an estimated $200 million (1955) or $1.8 billion (2018) in damage was reported.
Infrastructure
Green energy
Solar power
In 2015, the city entered into an agreement with BQ Energy Inc. of
Poughkeepsie, NY which allowed them to install nearly 3,000
solar panel
A solar panel is a device that converts sunlight into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of materials that produce excited electrons when exposed to light. These electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct ...
s on the city's former landfill, generating approximately 840
megawatts of power annually. The panels are used to offset the cost of powering municipal buildings and are expected to save the city 15–20 percent in energy costs over the next 20 years. The project was funded by
United Illuminating through state bidding.
Hydrogen fuel cell energy
In 2018, the cities of Derby and
Hartford were selected to be the home to two new
hydrogen fuel cell plants through a bid process with the
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Fuel Cell Energy Inc., of Danbury, was selected to construct and operate these fuel cells, totaling 22.2
megawatts of power. Once constructed, the Derby facility would generate 14.8
megawatts of power, and the Hartford facility will generate 7.4 megawatts. The Derby facility is being constructed on a vacant parcel of land along
Roosevelt Drive (Route 34), and construction was expected to begin in the summer of 2019.
Singer Village zero energy sub-division
The Singer Estate was built in 1927 by relatives of
Isaac Singer, of
Singer sewing machines. Most of the original 200 acres of property was subdivided off into homes and businesses. As of 2011, when it was donated to the Valley Community Foundation, the estate was approximately six acres in size. That same year it was purchased by Brookside Development LLC., to be further subdivided into Connecticut's first
zero-energy subdivision. The development group built seven homes on the remaining six acres, and the historic Singer mansion sits at the end of the newly constructed dead-end street. In 2016, the development was named the "Best Green Energy Single Family Development" and the "Best Green Energy Efficient Home" by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut.
Utilities
Electric utilities are provided by the
United Illuminating Company; gas service is provided by the
Eversource Energy.
Kinder Morgan Inc. operates the
Tennessee Gas Pipeline that runs partly through the city. Municipal water is supplied by the
South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority; wastewater services are provided by the city through the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA).
Transportation
Rail
The city has a
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company , also branded as MTA Metro-North Railroad and commonly called simply Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), a New York State publ ...
station called
Derby–Shelton. The station is located at 1 Main Street and serves the residents of Derby and Shelton. Derby-Shelton is the last regular stop on the
Waterbury Branch before it joins the
Northeast Corridor. The station is 69.5 miles from
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal (GCT; also referred to as Grand Central Station or simply as Grand Central) is a commuter rail terminal station, terminal located at 42nd Street (Manhattan), 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York Ci ...
, with travel time being an average of one hour, 54 minutes, depending on transfer time at Bridgeport. Travel time to
New Haven is an average of one hour, two minutes, depending on transfer time.
Bus
All bus routes meet at the
Derby–Shelton station. The Valley Transit facility is next to the train station on adjoining property.
*
Connecticut Transit – Route 255
*
Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority – Routes 15 & 23
* Valley Transit – Regional public bus service by reservation only, serving the residents of Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, and Seymour
Airports
Local
*
Waterbury–Oxford Airport (13 mi)
*
Sikorsky Memorial Airport (14 mi)
Regional
*
Tweed New Haven Airport (15 mi)
*
Westchester County Airport
Westchester County Airport is a county-owned airport in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County, New York (state), New York, United States, northeast of downtown White Plains, New York, White Plains, with territory in the Town (New Y ...
(41 mi)
International
*
Bradley International Airport (58 mi)
*
LaGuardia Airport (66 mi)
*
John F. Kennedy International Airport (73 mi)
Media
Current
* ''The New Haven Register''
* ''The Connecticut Post''
* ''The Valley Gazette''
* The ''
Valley Independent Sentinel'', an online-only, non-profit news site, launched in June 2009. It has an office in Ansonia. Its editor lives in Derby.
Historical
Derby was the location of Charlton Press, Inc. The company remains unique in the publishing industry in that every phase of production (editorial, printing, and distribution) took place under one roof. The Charlton Building housed three sister companies: Charlton Press, Charlton Publications, and Capitol Distribution. The company is best known for its extensive
Charlton Comics division, which produced dozens of comic book titles from 1946 to 1985.
Derby was also the home of Bruce-Royal Publishing Corporation, located on Division Street. The company published men's magazines such as ''Escapade'' (1955–1968), ''Gentleman'' (), and ''Play-Things'' (1964).
Notable people
*
Samuel George Andrews (1796–1863), born in Derby,
United States congressman from New York
*
Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett (1833–1908), first black American diplomat (appointed in 1869 to Haiti)
*
Charles T. Beardsley, Jr. (1861–1937), born in Derby, noted Bridgeport architect
*
David Raymond Curtiss (1878–1953),
mathematician
A mathematician is someone who uses an extensive knowledge of mathematics in their work, typically to solve mathematical problems. Mathematicians are concerned with numbers, data, quantity, mathematical structure, structure, space, Mathematica ...
, President of the
Mathematical Association of America
The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) is a professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Members include university
A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary edu ...
, born in Derby
*
Brian Dennehy, film actor, lived in Derby during his early life and was a
Boy Scout in Troop 3, based in Derby
*
Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man comics hero
*
William Frederick Durand (1859–1958), the first civilian chair of the
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was a United States federal agency that was founded on March 3, 1915, to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958, the agency was dissolved and its ...
*
Danielle Ferland (born 1971),
Broadway and film actor, born in Derby
*
Philip M. Halpern (born 1956), nominee to become
United States federal judge
In the United States, a federal judge is a judge who serves on a court established under Article Three of the U.S. Constitution. Often called "Article III judges", federal judges include the chief justice and associate justices of the U.S. S ...
of the
, born in Derby
*
Josiah Holbrook (1788–1854), founder of the
lyceum movement, born in Derby
*
Isaac Hull (1773–1843), commodore in the U.S. Navy; commanded among other ships, and nephew of William Hull
*
William Hull (1753–1825), general in the
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...
, governor of
Michigan Territory, and uncle of Isaac Hull
*
David Humphreys, American Revolutionary War soldier, public official and entrepreneur
*
Orson Hyde (1805–1878), leader in the
Latter Day Saint movement
*
Frances Osborne Kellogg (1876–1956), industrialist whose estate forms Osborne Homestead Museum and Osbornedale State Park
*
Themis Klarides (born 1965),
Connecticut General Assembly Minority Leader, elected in 1998
*
Ben Kopec (born 1981), musician, songwriter, and composer, born in Derby
*
Andy Natowich (1918–2014),
NFL running back for the
Washington Redskins
The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East ...
*
Patrick B. O'Sullivan (1887–1978), CT state senator, US congressman, Superior Court judge, and Chief Justice of the CT Supreme Court
*
Samantha Bowers (born 1994), singer-songwriter, lead member of Sammy Rae and the Friends
*
Michele Ragussis (born 1969), chef, TV appearances on ''
Food Network Star'', ''
Chopped'', and ''
24 Hour Restaurant Battle''
*
Alan Schlesinger, former Derby mayor and unsuccessful candidate for the
U.S. Senate in 2006
*
Lydia Sherman (1824–1878), serial killer, murdered 12 people total, three in Derby
*
Bob Skoronski,
NFL player for the
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...
; member of 1961, 1962, and 1965 NFL champion teams, as well as
Super Bowl I
The first AFL–NFL World Championship Game (known retroactively as Super BowlI and referred to in contemporaneous reports, including the game's radio broadcast, as the Super Bowl) was an American football game played on January 15, 1967, at th ...
and
Super Bowl II championship teams
*
Sheldon Thompson, former mayor of
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is a Administrative divisions of New York (state), city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and county seat of Erie County, New York, Erie County. It lies in Western New York at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of ...
*
Joseph "Fighting Joe" Wheeler, Confederate general, Spanish-American War leader and Alabama politician
*
Elizabeth Ann Whitney (1800–1882), early Latter-day Saint leader; born in town
*
Stephen Whitney
Stephen Whitney (September 4, 1776 – February 16, 1860) was an American merchant. He was one of the wealthiest merchants in New York City in the first half of the 19th century. His fortune was considered second only to that of John Jacob Ast ...
(1776–1860), merchant, one of New York's first multi-millionaires
*
Kathleen M. Williams (born 1956)
United States Federal Judge
In the United States, a federal judge is a judge who serves on a court established under Article Three of the U.S. Constitution. Often called "Article III judges", federal judges include the chief justice and associate justices of the U.S. S ...
of the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, born in Derby
*
Frank P. Witek (1921–1944), recipient of the
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
; born in Derby
*
Edward Wooster (1622–1689), "the first permanent settler in Derby"
Sister city
*
Puglianello, Italy
Plans for the future
The Howe House "will become home of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Industrial Heritage Center; where the Derby Historical Society's extensive collection of Industrial Era artifacts will be properly displayed. Future educational programs will include student hands-on programs that will introduce the Industrial Revolution and the Valley's active role in this period."
"Howe House" web page of the Electronic Valley website, accessed on July 22, 2006
See also
* Derby High School (Connecticut)
*List of cities in Connecticut
The U.S. state of Connecticut is divided into 169 Municipal corporation, municipalities, including 19 cities, 149 New England town, towns and one borough, which are grouped into List of counties in Connecticut, eight historical counties, as wel ...
* List of high school football rivalries more than 100 years old
References
External links
City of Derby official website
Derby Historical Society
*
{{authority control
Cities in Connecticut
Cities in New Haven County, Connecticut
Populated places established in 1642
Cities in the New York metropolitan area
1642 establishments in Connecticut
Cities in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, Connecticut