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Derby, Connecticut

Derby /ˈdɜːrbi/ is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, approximately 8 miles (13 km) 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.[3] It is the smallest city in Connecticut by area, at 5.3 square miles (14 km2).[4]

Derby, Connecticut
City of Derby
Annual fireworks display from the Derby-Shelton Bridge in 2007
Motto: 
"Connecticut's Smallest City"[1]
Coordinates: 41°19′36″N 73°04′56″W / 41.32667°N 73.08222°W / 41.32667; -73.08222
Country United States
State Connecticut
CountyNew Haven
RegionNaugatuck Valley
Settled1642
Named1675
Incorporated-town1775
Incorporated-city1893
Founded byJohn Wakeman
Named forDerby, England
Government
 • TypeMayor-Board of Aldermen
 • MayorJoseph DiMartino (D)
 • Chief administratorAndrew Baklik
Area
 • City5.41 sq mi (14.00 km2)
 • Land5.06 sq mi (13.09 km2)
 • Water0.35 sq mi (0.91 km2)
Highest elevation
469 ft (142 m)
Lowest elevation
3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City12,325
 • Rank19th (CT)
 • Density2,435.8/sq mi (941.6/km2)
 • Metro
861,113 (US: 60th)
 • CSA
23,076,664 (US: 1st)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern)
ZIP code
06418
Area code(s)203/475
FIPS code09-19480
GNIS feature ID0206671
Major highways
Commuter rail
Websitewww.derbyct.gov

Derby was settled in 1642 as an Indian trading post under the name Paugasset. It was named after Derby, England, in 1675.[5][6] It included what are now Ansonia, Seymour, Oxford, and parts of Beacon Falls.

Derby is home to the first electric trolley system in New England, only the second in the United States. It is also home to the first electric 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.[7][8]

History edit

Colonial and Revolutionary era edit

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.[9] Derby was incorporated on May 13, 1775.[10]

1800s edit

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.[11][12]

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. 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).[13]

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.[14][15][16]

1900s edit

Charlton Comics, a comic book publishing company that existed from 1944 to 1986, was based in Derby.

 
Derby, c. 1910

Towns created from Derby edit

Neighborhoods edit

  • Downtown
  • West Derby
  • Derby Neck
  • East Derby
  • Hilltop

Geography edit

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.4 square miles (8.7 km2), of which, 5.0 square miles (13 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (7.41%) is water. The city is home to the 417 acres (0.652 sq mi) 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 66 miles (106 km) from New York City. The lowest elevation is 3 ft (1m) and the highest elevation is 466 ft (142m) above sea level.

Climate edit

The climate in the area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Derby has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. January is on average the coolest month and July is on average the warmest month.[17]

Climate data for Derby, Connecticut
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 65
(18)
69
(21)
84
(29)
93
(34)
95
(35)
98
(37)
104
(40)
101
(38)
98
(37)
90
(32)
79
(26)
71
(22)
104
(40)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 35
(2)
37
(3)
46
(8)
57
(14)
68
(20)
77
(25)
83
(28)
81
(27)
73
(23)
62
(17)
50
(10)
39
(4)
59
(15)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 17
(−8)
19
(−7)
28
(−2)
37
(3)
47
(8)
56
(13)
62
(17)
60
(16)
52
(11)
41
(5)
32
(0)
23
(−5)
40
(4)
Record low °F (°C) −17
(−27)
−24
(−31)
−11
(−24)
11
(−12)
26
(−3)
32
(0)
38
(3)
36
(2)
26
(−3)
16
(−9)
1
(−17)
−18
(−28)
−24
(−31)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.59
(117)
3.37
(86)
4.65
(118)
4.63
(118)
4.70
(119)
4.44
(113)
4.28
(109)
4.50
(114)
4.66
(118)
4.54
(115)
4.47
(114)
4.03
(102)
52.86
(1,343)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 7.9
(20)
7.8
(20)
5.0
(13)
1.1
(2.8)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0.7
(1.8)
5.6
(14)
Source 1: Weather Channel[18]
Source 2: Intellicast[19]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
17902,994
18001,878−37.3%
18102,0519.2%
18202,0881.8%
18302,2537.9%
18402,85126.5%
18503,82434.1%
18605,44342.3%
18708,02047.3%
188011,65045.3%
18905,969−48.8%
19007,93032.9%
19108,99113.4%
192011,23825.0%
193010,788−4.0%
194010,287−4.6%
195010,259−0.3%
196012,13218.3%
197012,5993.8%
198012,346−2.0%
199012,199−1.2%
200012,3911.6%
201012,9024.1%
202012,325−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]

As of the census[21] of 2010, there were 12,902 people, 5,388 households, and 3,241 families residing in the town. The population density 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, 7.06% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.60% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 4.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 for the town was $32,438.[22] 12.7% of the population is below the poverty line.[23]

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.[24] Due to this large population, the town features several Polish shops, restaurants, and clubs.[25] Saint Michael's the Archangel Parish, a Roman Catholic 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.[citation needed]

Culture edit

Annual events edit

  • 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 edit

Cuisine and nightlife edit

The city is home to 27 food establishments[26] from fast food to sit-down dining.

Connecticut Magazine, the New Haven Register, and the Hartford Courant 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.[27][28] 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.[29][30]

In 2017, BADSONS Beer Company, a craft brewery, purchased the former Manger Die Company on Roosevelt Drive to begin production. The name of the brewery is an acronym for the towns the comprise the Naugatuck River Valley: Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck, and Shelton.[31][32]

Economics edit

In 2017, Moody's Investors Service downgraded the city's bond rating from AA to AA−, citing "weak budgetary performance" in 2016.[33]

Grand list[34]

2016 – $1,028,072,826.82

2010 – $1,091,576,401.00

Mill rate[35]

  • 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 to Derby[36]
  • 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)[37]
  • THC – The Hops Company (2015–present) – voted Connecticut Magazine's best Beer Garden in Connecticut 2017 and Best Beer Bar in Connecticut 2017–2018[38]

Redevelopment projects edit

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 shops and restaurants, with residential space above. The project, tailored toward attracting Millennials 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.[39][40]

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.[41][42]

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-based Urstadlt Biddle Properties Inc. for $9 million.[43][44][45]

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.[46][47][48]

Government edit

Local edit

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 is Joseph DiMartino (D), who has served since 2023.[49]

 
Derby City Hall

The board of aldermen and alderwomenfor the 2023-2025 Term is separated into three districts within the city and headed by Sarah Widomski, President of the Board.[50]

List of aldermen and alderwomen
1st Ward 2nd Ward 3rd Ward
Arthur Newberg (D) Jessica Barrios-Perez (D) David Chevarella (D)
Amy Pettinichi (D) George F. Kurtyka (D) Robin Falcioni-Smith (D)
Sarah Widomski (D) Ronald M. Sill (D) Robert Hyder (D)

Regional government

Derby is part of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, a regional planning organization that assists member cities/towns with transportation, economic development, brownfield development, land use, environmental and emergency planning, grant writing, etc.[51]

State edit

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 edit

As of 2024, Connecticut's United States Senators are Richard Blumenthal (D) and Chris Murphy (D).[52] Connecticut has five representatives in the U.S. House, all of whom are Democrats.[53]

Voter registration and party enrollment as of January 1, 2024[54]
Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage
Democratic 2,317 183 2,500 34.32%
Republican 1,294 75 1,369 18.79%
Unaffiliated 2,963 345 3,3308 45.41%
Minor parties 99 8 107 1.47%
Total 6,673 611 7,284 100%
Presidential Election Results[55][56]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 51.3% 2,963 47.6% 2,749 1.1% 66
2016 45.3% 2,332 51.5% 2,651 3.2% 167
2012 55.1% 2,509 43.8% 1,993 1.1% 53
2008 53.9% 2,880 44.6% 2,383 1.5% 76
2004 48.7% 2,577 49.2% 2,600 2.1% 112
2000 58.3% 2,851 35.9% 896 5.8% 286
1996 55.2% 2,636 30.9% 1,477 13.9% 666
1992 37.6% 2,150 39.2% 2,246 23.2% 1,329
1988 46.5% 2,314 52.1% 2,587 1.4% 69
1984 33.7% 1,786 65.5% 3,471 0.8% 43
1980 42.5% 2,284 48.7% 2,613 8.8% 474
1976 52.0% 2,696 47.0% 2,436 1.0% 50
1972 39.2% 2,079 59.6% 3,158 1.2% 62
1968 54.7% 2,882 36.6% 1,927 8.7% 459
1964 70.3% 4,076 20.7% 1,725 0.00% 0
1960 70.4% 4,177 20.6% 1,750 0.00% 0
1956 42.9% 2,398 57.1% 3,193 0.00% 0

Education edit

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[57] and 159 enrolled in private school.[58] The total number of students enrolled in public and private schools is 1,545.

School name Grades Address Type Neighborhood
St. Mary-St. Michael School Pre-K–8 14 Seymour Avenue Private Catholic West Derby (Downtown)
Little Raiders University Pre-K 75 Chatfield Street Public West Derby (Downtown)
Bradley Elementary School K–5 155 David Humphrey Road Public East Derby
Irving School K–5 9 Garden Place Public West Derby (Downtown)
Derby Middle School 6–8 73 Chatfield Street Public West Derby (Downtown)
Derby High School 9–12 75 Chatfield Street Public West Derby (Downtown)

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.[59] The dormitory was opened on September 19, 2018, and at full capacity it can accommodate 110 students and 10–12 employees.[60]

Crime edit

According to USA.com crime statistics, Derby has the 14th highest crime rate per capita in Connecticut, of the 89 reporting cities.[61] In 2017, Derby had one homicide, two rapes, 16 robberies, 23 aggravated assaults, 35 burglaries, 238 larcenies, 33 motor vehicle thefts, and two arsons.[62]

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 edit

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.[63] 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.[64]

Public safety edit

Healthcare edit

Law enforcement edit

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.[68] The current Chief of Police is Gerald D. Narowski.

State police agencies

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.[69]

Fire department and emergency medical services edit

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.[70]

Fire apparatus in the City of Derby[71]
Fire company Engine Ladder Ambulance Special unit Address Neighborhood
Hotchkiss Hose Co. 1 Engine 13, Engine 14 200 David Humphrey Rd. Hilltop
Storm Engine Co. 2

Storm Engine Co. Ambulance Corps.

Engine 11, Engine 12 FD-9, FD-10 Rescue 18, HAZ-MAT 2, HAZ-MAT 19,

Marine 1, Marine 2, Emergency 1

151 Olivia St. Downtown
East End Hose Co. 3 Engine 16 Utility 17 10 Derby-Milford Rd. East Derby
Paugassett Hook & Ladder Co. 4 Truck 15 Brush 4, Tac-51 (Gator) 57 Derby Ave. East Derby

Parks & recreation edit

Derby Greenway edit

The Derby Greenway is a 2.05 mile-long multipurpose trail located on the west side of Derby along the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers.[72] The Greenway is part of the Naugatuck River Greenway Trail System,[73] a proposed 44-mile multipurpose trail that follows the Naugatuck River from Torrington to Derby.[74] The Derby section of the Naugatuck River Greenway System is the busiest multipurpose trail in Connecticut, with 302,550 trips counted in 2017.[75]

Osbornedale State Park edit

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,[76] Pickett's Pond,[77] 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.[78]

PFC Frank P. Witek Memorial Park edit

The Frank P. Witek Memorial Park is a 144-acre park on the east side of the city dedicated to Medal of Honor 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)[79] 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.[80]

 
Osbornedale State Park trail and activity map
 
Derby Greenway on O'Sullivans Island with a passing Northbound Metro North service above
 
Derby Greenway along the flood wall with the pedestrian crossing over the CSX rail line to the right

Landmarks and monuments edit

National Register of Historic Places edit

Landmarks edit

National Humane Alliance fountain

 
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.[81] 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, 1915

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.[82] The monument was restored in 2018 at a cost of $75,000.[83]

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.[84][85] The cemetery is open to the public, and is located at the intersection of Derby Avenue and Academy Hill Road.

Notable events edit

2001 anthrax attacks edit

On November 16, 2001, 94 year-old Ottilie Lundgren of Oxford 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, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 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.

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 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.[86][87][88]

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. 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.[89]

River Restaurant explosion edit

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.[90][91]

 
Caroline Street Fire

Caroline Street fire edit

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.[92][93]

Flood of 1955 edit

August 10–12 of 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.[94] 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.[95] 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 edit

Green energy edit

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 panels 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.[96][97]

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.[98][99]

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.[100][101]

Utilities edit

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).[102]

Transportation edit

Rail edit

 
Derby–Shelton station, September 2018

The city has a Metro-North Railroad 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, 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.[103]

Bus edit

All bus routes meet at the Derby–Shelton station. The Valley Transit facility is next to the train station on adjoining property.

Airports edit

Local

Regional

International

Media edit

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 (c. 1964–1966), and Play-Things (1964).

 
Derby High School, c. 1909

Notable people edit

Sister city edit

Plans for the future edit

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."[107]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "City of Derby Connecticut". City of Derby Connecticut. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Derby city, Connecticut". Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "History of Derby, city website". Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 104.
  6. ^ The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly. Connecticut Magazine Company. 1903. p. 331.
  7. ^ "First Trolly Run 1888". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  8. ^ "Derby Historical Quiz". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  9. ^ "Derby Quick History". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  10. ^ "Derby, Connecticut". City-Data.com. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  11. ^ "Birmingham Iron Foundry". Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  12. ^ . Archived from the original on November 17, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  13. ^ "NRHP Kraus Corset Factory" (PDF). Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  14. ^ (undated). "A Guide to the International Silver Company Records, 1853–1921". UCONN University Libraries, Storrs, CT. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  15. ^ (undated). "The Derby Silver Company". Connecticuthistory.org. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  16. ^ D. Hurd & Co. (1893). "Derby Silver Co." (page 211). In Town and city atlas of the State of Connecticut. Boston, MA. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  17. ^ "Ansonia Koppen Climate Classification". Weatherbase. January 8, 2018.
  18. ^ "Derby CT Monthly Info". Weather.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  19. ^ "Derby CT Historical Averages=2018-01-08". Intellicast.com.
  20. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  21. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  22. ^ "Derby Home Locator". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  23. ^ "Derby Statistics". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  24. ^ Mozdzer, Jodie. (2009-10-08) 'Warsaw' Coming To Ansonia | Valley Independent Sentinel. Valley.newhavenindependent.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-15.
  25. ^ [1] November 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ Mayko, Michael (February 20, 2019). "Derby restaurants score high on inspections". Connecticut Post. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  27. ^ Staff (December 26, 2018). "Best Restaurants 2019: Readers' Choice". Ct Insider. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  28. ^ Falbo-Sosnovich, Jean (January 5, 2018). "2 Derby businesses voted 'best' in the state in Connecticut Magazine readers' choice poll". The New Haven Register. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  29. ^ "THC-The Hops Company". www.thehopscompany.com. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  30. ^ Staff (August 29, 2018). "Best of Connecticut 2018". Ct Insider. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  31. ^ "BADSONS Beer Company". www.badsona.com. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  32. ^ Driscoll, Eugene (January 12, 2017). "'Bad Sons Beer Company' Looks To Brew In Derby". Valley Independent Sentinel. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  33. ^ Falbo-Sosnovich, Jean (December 27, 2017). "Bond rating reports show Ansonia, Derby and Seymour focus on fiscal health". New Haven Register. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
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  35. ^ "Mill Rates by Town". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
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  39. ^ Mayko, Michael (October 18, 2018). "Developer proposing to fill downtown Derby's Factory Street with apartments and shops". Connecticut Post. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  40. ^ Driscoll, Eugene (February 5, 2019). "Development Group Still Eyeing Downtown Derby". Valley Independent Sentinel. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  41. ^ Langdon, Phillip (September 21, 2003). "DROP THE DEMOLITION, DERBY". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  42. ^ Condon, Tom (January 24, 2017). "Little Derby has a big plan". Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  43. ^ Driscoll, Eugene (July 24, 2012). "Valley Bowl Demolition Underway". Valley Independent Sentinel. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  44. ^ Driscoll, Eugene (February 14, 2014). "Coming Soon To Derby: Aldi, Walgreens, Panera Bread, Batting Cages, Fat Gaucho". Valley Independent Sentinel. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  45. ^ Driscoll, Eugene (January 18, 2017). "Derby Shopping Center Sold For Big Bucks". Valley Independent Sentinel. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  46. ^ Driscoll, Eugene (February 6, 2012). "Xpect Discounts In Derby To Close". Valley Independent Sentinel. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  47. ^ Driscoll, Eugene (December 12, 2011). "Walgreens Wants To Reconfigure, Redevelop Red Raider Plaza". Valley Independent Sentinel. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  48. ^ Falbo-Sosnovich, Jean (September 10, 2014). "Walgreens pulls out of plans to build store in Derby". The Register Citizen. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  49. ^ "Mayors Office". City of Derby. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
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  51. ^ "NVCOG". Retrieved December 27, 2018.
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  56. ^ "Election Night Reporting". CT Secretary of State. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  57. ^ "District Detail for Derby Public Schools". www.nces.ed.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  58. ^ "St. Mary-St. Michael School Profile". www.privateschoolreview.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  59. ^ "Sale of Marshall Lane Property Finalized". January 12, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
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  63. ^ "Lydia Sherman the Derby Poisoner". May 11, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  64. ^ "Derby recalls 1989 triple murder" (PDF). New Haven Register. August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  65. ^ "Smilow Cancer Center Derby". Yale New Haven Health. January 7, 2018.
  66. ^ "Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center". www.yalegriffinprc.org. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  67. ^ "Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center". Yale Center for Clinical Investigation.
  68. ^ "Crime in Connecticut" (PDF). January 6, 2018.
  69. ^ "Lake Housatonic Authority". Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  70. ^ "Derby Storm Engine Co. Ambulance Has Two Ambos Again | Valley Independent Sentinel".
  71. ^ "Derby Fire Dept". Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  72. ^ "Derby Greenway". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  73. ^ Naugatuck River Greenway Trail System
  74. ^ "About the Greenway". February 7, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  75. ^ "Connecticut Trail Census". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  76. ^ Kellogg Environmental Center
  77. ^ Pickett's Pond
  78. ^ "Osbornedale State Park". Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  79. ^ "Documentary History of American Water Works". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  80. ^ "Witek Memorial Park". Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  81. ^ Derby History Quiz – National Humane Alliance Watering Trough. Electronicvalley.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-15.
  82. ^ "Connecticut's Civil War Monuments". Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  83. ^ "Civil War monument shines in Derby once more". CT Post. July 11, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  84. ^ Orcutt, Sammuel (1880). The History of the Old Town of Derby. Press of Springfield Printing Co.
  85. ^ "Olde Uptown Burial Ground". Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  86. ^ Digrazia, Christine (December 2, 2001). "In Derby, A Big Story Hits Home". New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  87. ^ "Oxford Woman, 94, An Unlikely Victim Of Anthrax Attacks". Hartford Courant. April 14, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  88. ^ "Connecticut woman dies of inhalation anthrax". CNN. November 22, 2001. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  89. ^ "FBI formally closes protracted anthrax case". Connecticut Post. February 19, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
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  91. ^ "6 found dead after Connecticut blast". NY Times. December 8, 1985. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  92. ^ "Title Page – "Woman, children are killed in fire"". Hartford Courant. August 14, 1991. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  93. ^ "Echo Hose History". July 12, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  94. ^ "Flood of 1955". Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  95. ^ "Naugatuck River at Beacon Falls". Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  96. ^ Mako, Michael (October 9, 2015). "Solar Panels installed on Derby's former landfill". www.ctpost.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  97. ^ Fry, Ethan (October 15, 2015). "Construction To Begin On Derby Solar Project". www.valley.newhavenindependent.org. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  98. ^ "FuelCell Energy Announces the Award of Two Fuel Cell Projects Totaling 22.2 Megawatts by Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection" (PDF). www.fuelcellenergy.com. June 18, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  99. ^ "Gov. Malloy and DEEP Announce Selection of 250 MW of Renewable Energy Projects". www.ct.gov. June 13, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  100. ^ Salmonsen, Mary (November 6, 2016). "CONNECTICUT'S FIRST ZERO-ENERGY READY SUBDIVISION IS TAKING SHAPE". www.builderonline.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  101. ^ O'Neill, Tara (November 27, 2016). "Homes at Derby's Singer Estate set new efficiency standards". www.ctpost.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  102. ^ "List of Utilities by Town" (PDF). www.ct.gov. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  103. ^ "MNR Stations". Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  104. ^ "Valley Transit District". www.valleytransit.org. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  105. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  106. ^ Mayko, Michael P. (November 2018). "Derby's Bob Skoronski, Green Bay Packer legend dies". News Times. Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  107. ^ [2] "Howe House" web page of the Electronic Valley website, accessed on July 22, 2006

External links edit

  • City of Derby official website
  • Derby Historical Society
  • "Derby, a city of New Haven county, Connecticut, U.S.A." . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.


derby, connecticut, derby, ɜːr, city, haven, county, connecticut, united, states, approximately, miles, west, northwest, haven, located, southwest, connecticut, confluence, housatonic, naugatuck, rivers, shares, borders, with, cities, ansonia, north, shelton, . Derby ˈ d ɜːr b i is a city in New Haven County Connecticut United States approximately 8 miles 13 km 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 3 It is the smallest city in Connecticut by area at 5 3 square miles 14 km2 4 Derby ConnecticutCityCity of DerbyAnnual fireworks display from the Derby Shelton Bridge in 2007FlagSealMotto Connecticut s Smallest City 1 New Haven County and Connecticut Naugatuck Valley Planning Region and ConnecticutShow DerbyShow ConnecticutShow the United StatesCoordinates 41 19 36 N 73 04 56 W 41 32667 N 73 08222 W 41 32667 73 08222Country United StatesState ConnecticutCountyNew HavenRegionNaugatuck ValleySettled1642Named1675Incorporated town1775Incorporated city1893Founded byJohn WakemanNamed forDerby EnglandGovernment TypeMayor Board of Aldermen MayorJoseph DiMartino D Chief administratorAndrew BaklikArea 2 City5 41 sq mi 14 00 km2 Land5 06 sq mi 13 09 km2 Water0 35 sq mi 0 91 km2 Highest elevation469 ft 142 m Lowest elevation3 ft 1 m Population 2020 City12 325 Rank19th CT Density2 435 8 sq mi 941 6 km2 Metro861 113 US 60th CSA23 076 664 US 1st Time zoneUTC 5 Eastern Summer DST UTC 4 Eastern ZIP code06418Area code s 203 475FIPS code09 19480GNIS feature ID0206671Major highwaysCommuter railWebsitewww wbr derbyct wbr gov Derby was settled in 1642 as an Indian trading post under the name Paugasset It was named after Derby England in 1675 5 6 It included what are now Ansonia Seymour Oxford and parts of Beacon Falls Derby is home to the first electric trolley system in New England only the second in the United States It is also home to the first electric 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 7 8 Contents 1 History 1 1 Colonial and Revolutionary era 1 2 1800s 1 3 1900s 1 4 Towns created from Derby 1 5 Neighborhoods 2 Geography 3 Climate 4 Demographics 5 Culture 5 1 Annual events 5 2 Museums 5 3 Cuisine and nightlife 6 Economics 6 1 Redevelopment projects 7 Government 7 1 Local 7 2 State 7 3 Federal 8 Education 9 Crime 9 1 Notable crimes 10 Public safety 10 1 Healthcare 10 2 Law enforcement 10 3 Fire department and emergency medical services 11 Parks amp recreation 11 1 Derby Greenway 11 2 Osbornedale State Park 11 3 PFC Frank P Witek Memorial Park 12 Landmarks and monuments 12 1 National Register of Historic Places 12 2 Landmarks 13 Notable events 13 1 2001 anthrax attacks 13 2 River Restaurant explosion 13 3 Caroline Street fire 13 4 Flood of 1955 14 Infrastructure 14 1 Green energy 14 2 Utilities 15 Transportation 15 1 Rail 15 2 Bus 15 3 Airports 16 Media 17 Notable people 18 Sister city 19 Plans for the future 20 See also 21 References 22 External linksHistory editColonial and Revolutionary era edit 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 9 Derby was incorporated on May 13 1775 10 1800s edit 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 11 12 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 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 13 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 14 15 16 1900s edit Charlton Comics a comic book publishing company that existed from 1944 to 1986 was based in Derby nbsp Derby c 1910 Towns created from Derby edit Oxford in 1798 Seymour in 1850 Beacon Falls in 1871 also partly from neighboring towns Ansonia in 1889 Neighborhoods edit Downtown West Derby Derby Neck East Derby HilltopGeography editAccording to the United States Census Bureau the town has a total area of 5 4 square miles 8 7 km2 of which 5 0 square miles 13 km2 is land and 0 4 square miles 1 0 km2 7 41 is water The city is home to the 417 acres 0 652 sq mi 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 66 miles 106 km from New York City The lowest elevation is 3 ft 1m and the highest elevation is 466 ft 142m above sea level Climate editThe climate in the area is characterized by hot humid summers and generally mild to cool winters According to the Koppen Climate Classification system Derby has a humid subtropical climate abbreviated Cfa on climate maps January is on average the coolest month and July is on average the warmest month 17 Climate data for Derby Connecticut Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high F C 65 18 69 21 84 29 93 34 95 35 98 37 104 40 101 38 98 37 90 32 79 26 71 22 104 40 Mean daily maximum F C 35 2 37 3 46 8 57 14 68 20 77 25 83 28 81 27 73 23 62 17 50 10 39 4 59 15 Mean daily minimum F C 17 8 19 7 28 2 37 3 47 8 56 13 62 17 60 16 52 11 41 5 32 0 23 5 40 4 Record low F C 17 27 24 31 11 24 11 12 26 3 32 0 38 3 36 2 26 3 16 9 1 17 18 28 24 31 Average precipitation inches mm 4 59 117 3 37 86 4 65 118 4 63 118 4 70 119 4 44 113 4 28 109 4 50 114 4 66 118 4 54 115 4 47 114 4 03 102 52 86 1 343 Average snowfall inches cm 7 9 20 7 8 20 5 0 13 1 1 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1 8 5 6 14 Source 1 Weather Channel 18 Source 2 Intellicast 19 Demographics editSee also List of Connecticut locations by per capita income Historical population CensusPop Note 17902 994 18001 878 37 3 18102 0519 2 18202 0881 8 18302 2537 9 18402 85126 5 18503 82434 1 18605 44342 3 18708 02047 3 188011 65045 3 18905 969 48 8 19007 93032 9 19108 99113 4 192011 23825 0 193010 788 4 0 194010 287 4 6 195010 259 0 3 196012 13218 3 197012 5993 8 198012 346 2 0 199012 199 1 2 200012 3911 6 201012 9024 1 202012 325 4 5 U S Decennial Census 20 As of the census 21 of 2010 there were 12 902 people 5 388 households and 3 241 families residing in the town The population density 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 7 06 Black or African American 0 2 Native American 2 60 Asian 0 00 Pacific Islander 4 2 from other races and 2 6 from two or more races Hispanic 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 for the town was 32 438 22 12 7 of the population is below the poverty line 23 Polish immigrationPolish 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 24 Due to this large population the town features several Polish shops restaurants and clubs 25 Saint Michael s the Archangel Parish a Roman Catholic 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 citation needed Culture editAnnual events edit 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 edit Osborne Homestead Museum General David Humphreys House Museum Derby Historical Society headquarters located in Ansonia Cuisine and nightlife edit The city is home to 27 food establishments 26 from fast food to sit down dining Connecticut Magazine the New Haven Register and the Hartford Courant 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 amp Restaurant received Statewide Winner for Best Nachos 2019 from Connecticut Magazine 27 28 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 29 30 In 2017 BADSONS Beer Company a craft brewery purchased the former Manger Die Company on Roosevelt Drive to begin production The name of the brewery is an acronym for the towns the comprise the Naugatuck River Valley Beacon Falls Ansonia Derby Seymour Oxford Naugatuck and Shelton 31 32 Economics editIn 2017 Moody s Investors Service downgraded the city s bond rating from AA to AA citing weak budgetary performance in 2016 33 Grand list 34 2016 1 028 072 826 822010 1 091 576 401 00Mill rate 35 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 to Derby 36 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 37 THC The Hops Company 2015 present voted Connecticut Magazine s best Beer Garden in Connecticut 2017 and Best Beer Bar in Connecticut 2017 2018 38 Redevelopment projects edit Factory Street SquareIn 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 shops and restaurants with residential space above The project tailored toward attracting Millennials 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 39 40 South side of Main StreetSince 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 41 42 Pershing Square Shopping CenterIn 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 based Urstadlt Biddle Properties Inc for 9 million 43 44 45 Red Raider PlazaIn 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 46 47 48 Government editLocal edit City governmentThe 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 is Joseph DiMartino D who has served since 2023 49 nbsp Derby City Hall The board of aldermen and alderwomenfor the 2023 2025 Term is separated into three districts within the city and headed by Sarah Widomski President of the Board 50 List of aldermen and alderwomen 1st Ward 2nd Ward 3rd Ward Arthur Newberg D Jessica Barrios Perez D David Chevarella D Amy Pettinichi D George F Kurtyka D Robin Falcioni Smith D Sarah Widomski D Ronald M Sill D Robert Hyder D Regional governmentDerby is part of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments a regional planning organization that assists member cities towns with transportation economic development brownfield development land use environmental and emergency planning grant writing etc 51 State edit 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 edit As of 2024 update Connecticut s United States Senators are Richard Blumenthal D and Chris Murphy D 52 Connecticut has five representatives in the U S House all of whom are Democrats 53 Voter registration and party enrollment as of January 1 2024 54 Party Active voters Inactive voters Total voters Percentage Democratic 2 317 183 2 500 34 32 Republican 1 294 75 1 369 18 79 Unaffiliated 2 963 345 3 3308 45 41 Minor parties 99 8 107 1 47 Total 6 673 611 7 284 100 Presidential Election Results 55 56 Year Democratic Republican Third Parties 2020 51 3 2 963 47 6 2 749 1 1 66 2016 45 3 2 332 51 5 2 651 3 2 167 2012 55 1 2 509 43 8 1 993 1 1 53 2008 53 9 2 880 44 6 2 383 1 5 76 2004 48 7 2 577 49 2 2 600 2 1 112 2000 58 3 2 851 35 9 896 5 8 286 1996 55 2 2 636 30 9 1 477 13 9 666 1992 37 6 2 150 39 2 2 246 23 2 1 329 1988 46 5 2 314 52 1 2 587 1 4 69 1984 33 7 1 786 65 5 3 471 0 8 43 1980 42 5 2 284 48 7 2 613 8 8 474 1976 52 0 2 696 47 0 2 436 1 0 50 1972 39 2 2 079 59 6 3 158 1 2 62 1968 54 7 2 882 36 6 1 927 8 7 459 1964 70 3 4 076 20 7 1 725 0 00 0 1960 70 4 4 177 20 6 1 750 0 00 0 1956 42 9 2 398 57 1 3 193 0 00 0Education editThere 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 57 and 159 enrolled in private school 58 The total number of students enrolled in public and private schools is 1 545 School name Grades Address Type Neighborhood St Mary St Michael School Pre K 8 14 Seymour Avenue Private Catholic West Derby Downtown Little Raiders University Pre K 75 Chatfield Street Public West Derby Downtown Bradley Elementary School K 5 155 David Humphrey Road Public East Derby Irving School K 5 9 Garden Place Public West Derby Downtown Derby Middle School 6 8 73 Chatfield Street Public West Derby Downtown Derby High School 9 12 75 Chatfield Street Public West Derby Downtown 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 59 The dormitory was opened on September 19 2018 and at full capacity it can accommodate 110 students and 10 12 employees 60 Crime editAccording to USA com crime statistics Derby has the 14th highest crime rate per capita in Connecticut of the 89 reporting cities 61 In 2017 Derby had one homicide two rapes 16 robberies 23 aggravated assaults 35 burglaries 238 larcenies 33 motor vehicle thefts and two arsons 62 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 edit The Derby PoisonerLydia 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 63 Sherman was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1872 She died in 1878 in prison Ferrera family triple homicideOn 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 64 Public safety editHealthcare edit 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 65 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 66 It also operates out of the Community Alliance for Research Engagement at Yale University Its focuses are the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease The Center s director is David L Katz 67 Law enforcement edit Derby Police DepartmentThe 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 68 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 AuthorityThe 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 69 Fire department and emergency medical services edit 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 amp Rescue Corps since 1948 70 Fire apparatus in the City of Derby 71 Fire company Engine Ladder Ambulance Special unit Address Neighborhood Hotchkiss Hose Co 1 Engine 13 Engine 14 200 David Humphrey Rd Hilltop Storm Engine Co 2 Storm Engine Co Ambulance Corps Engine 11 Engine 12 FD 9 FD 10 Rescue 18 HAZ MAT 2 HAZ MAT 19 Marine 1 Marine 2 Emergency 1 151 Olivia St Downtown East End Hose Co 3 Engine 16 Utility 17 10 Derby Milford Rd East Derby Paugassett Hook amp Ladder Co 4 Truck 15 Brush 4 Tac 51 Gator 57 Derby Ave East DerbyParks amp recreation editDerby Greenway edit The Derby Greenway is a 2 05 mile long multipurpose trail located on the west side of Derby along the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers 72 The Greenway is part of the Naugatuck River Greenway Trail System 73 a proposed 44 mile multipurpose trail that follows the Naugatuck River from Torrington to Derby 74 The Derby section of the Naugatuck River Greenway System is the busiest multipurpose trail in Connecticut with 302 550 trips counted in 2017 75 Osbornedale State Park edit 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 76 Pickett s Pond 77 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 78 PFC Frank P Witek Memorial Park edit The Frank P Witek Memorial Park is a 144 acre park on the east side of the city dedicated to Medal of Honor 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 79 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 80 nbsp Osbornedale State Park trail and activity map nbsp Derby Greenway on O Sullivans Island with a passing Northbound Metro North service above nbsp Derby Greenway along the flood wall with the pedestrian crossing over the CSX rail line to the rightLandmarks and monuments editNational Register of Historic Places edit 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 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 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 edit National Humane Alliance fountain nbsp 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 81 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 nbsp Civil War Monument 1915 Civil War MonumentIn 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 82 The monument was restored in 2018 at a cost of 75 000 83 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 84 85 The cemetery is open to the public and is located at the intersection of Derby Avenue and Academy Hill Road Notable events edit2001 anthrax attacks edit On November 16 2001 94 year old Ottilie Lundgren of Oxford 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 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 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 86 87 88 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 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 89 River Restaurant explosion editOn 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 90 91 nbsp Caroline Street Fire Caroline Street fire edit 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 92 93 Flood of 1955 edit Main article 1955 Connecticut floods August 10 12 of 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 94 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 95 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 editGreen energy edit Solar powerIn 2015 the city entered into an agreement with BQ Energy Inc of Poughkeepsie NY which allowed them to install nearly 3 000 solar panels 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 96 97 Hydrogen fuel cell energyIn 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 98 99 Singer Village zero energy sub divisionThe 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 100 101 Utilities edit 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 102 Transportation editRail edit nbsp Derby Shelton station September 2018 The city has a Metro North Railroad 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 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 103 Bus edit 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 F6 Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority Routes 15 amp 23 Valley Transit Regional public bus service by reservation only serving the residents of Ansonia Derby Shelton and Seymour 104 Airports edit Local Waterbury Oxford Airport 13 mi Sikorsky Memorial Airport 14 mi Regional Tweed New Haven Airport 15 mi Westchester County Airport 41 mi International Bradley International Airport 58 mi LaGuardia Airport 66 mi John F Kennedy International Airport 73 mi Media editCurrent 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 HistoricalDerby 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 c 1964 1966 and Play Things 1964 nbsp Derby High School c 1909Notable people editSamuel George Andrews 1796 1863 born in Derby United States congressman from New York 105 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 President of the Mathematical Association of America 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 Danielle Ferland born 1971 Broadway and film actor born in Derby Philip M Halpern born 1956 nominee to become United States federal judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York 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 USS Constitution among other ships and nephew of William Hull William Hull 1753 1825 general in the American Revolutionary War 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 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 member of 1961 1962 and 1965 NFL champion teams as well as Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II championship teams 106 Sheldon Thompson former mayor of Buffalo New York 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 1776 1860 merchant one of New York s first multi millionaires Kathleen M Williams born 1956 United States Federal Judge 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 born in Derby Edward Wooster 1622 1689 the first permanent settler in Derby Sister city editPuglianello ItalyPlans for the future editThe 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 107 See also edit nbsp Connecticut portal nbsp New England portal nbsp Cities portal Derby High School Connecticut List of cities in Connecticut List of high school football rivalries more than 100 years oldReferences edit City of Derby Connecticut City of Derby Connecticut Retrieved September 22 2012 2019 U S Gazetteer Files United States Census Bureau Retrieved July 2 2020 Census Geography Profile Derby city Connecticut Retrieved November 28 2021 History of Derby city website Retrieved February 15 2019 Gannett Henry 1905 The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States Govt Print Off pp 104 The Connecticut Magazine An Illustrated Monthly Connecticut Magazine Company 1903 p 331 First Trolly Run 1888 Retrieved September 22 2018 Derby Historical Quiz Retrieved September 22 2018 Derby Quick History Retrieved September 22 2018 Derby Connecticut City Data com Retrieved September 22 2012 Birmingham Iron Foundry Retrieved September 27 2018 History of the Farrel Corporation Archived from the original on November 17 2007 Retrieved September 27 2018 NRHP Kraus Corset Factory PDF Retrieved September 27 2018 undated A Guide to the International Silver Company Records 1853 1921 UCONN University Libraries Storrs CT Retrieved October 23 2016 undated The Derby Silver Company Connecticuthistory org Retrieved October 23 2016 D Hurd amp Co 1893 Derby Silver Co page 211 In Town and city atlas of the State of Connecticut Boston MA Retrieved October 23 2016 Ansonia Koppen Climate Classification Weatherbase January 8 2018 Derby CT Monthly Info Weather com Retrieved January 8 2018 Derby CT Historical Averages 2018 01 08 Intellicast com Census of Population and Housing Census gov Retrieved June 4 2015 U S Census website United States Census Bureau Retrieved January 31 2008 Derby Home Locator Retrieved September 22 2018 Derby Statistics Retrieved September 22 2018 Mozdzer Jodie 2009 10 08 Warsaw Coming To Ansonia Valley Independent Sentinel Valley newhavenindependent org Retrieved on 2013 07 15 1 Archived November 30 2010 at the Wayback Machine Mayko Michael February 20 2019 Derby restaurants score high on inspections Connecticut Post Retrieved April 16 2019 Staff December 26 2018 Best Restaurants 2019 Readers Choice Ct Insider Retrieved April 16 2019 Falbo Sosnovich Jean January 5 2018 2 Derby businesses voted best in the state in Connecticut Magazine readers choice poll The New Haven Register Retrieved April 18 2019 THC The Hops Company www thehopscompany com Retrieved April 16 2019 Staff August 29 2018 Best of Connecticut 2018 Ct Insider Retrieved April 16 2019 BADSONS Beer Company www badsona com Retrieved April 18 2018 Driscoll Eugene January 12 2017 Bad Sons Beer Company Looks To Brew In Derby Valley Independent Sentinel Retrieved April 18 2018 Falbo Sosnovich Jean December 27 2017 Bond rating reports show Ansonia Derby and Seymour focus on fiscal health New Haven Register Retrieved April 16 2019 Equalized Net Grand List by Town www ct gov Retrieved April 16 2019 Mill Rates by Town Retrieved September 22 2018 Big plans in store for Derby Factory Connecticut Post February 22 2018 Retrieved September 22 2018 2010 Annual Report PDF www griffinhealth org 2010 Retrieved April 16 2019 2 Derby businesses voted best in the state New Haven Register January 5 2018 Retrieved September 22 2018 Mayko Michael October 18 2018 Developer proposing to fill downtown Derby s Factory Street with apartments and shops Connecticut Post Retrieved April 18 2018 Driscoll Eugene February 5 2019 Development Group Still Eyeing Downtown Derby Valley Independent Sentinel Retrieved April 18 2019 Langdon Phillip September 21 2003 DROP THE DEMOLITION DERBY The Hartford Courant Retrieved April 18 2018 Condon Tom January 24 2017 Little Derby has a big plan Connecticut Mirror Retrieved April 18 2018 Driscoll Eugene July 24 2012 Valley Bowl Demolition Underway Valley Independent Sentinel Retrieved April 18 2018 Driscoll Eugene February 14 2014 Coming Soon To Derby Aldi Walgreens Panera Bread Batting Cages Fat Gaucho Valley Independent Sentinel Retrieved April 18 2018 Driscoll Eugene January 18 2017 Derby Shopping Center Sold For Big Bucks Valley Independent Sentinel Retrieved April 18 2018 Driscoll Eugene February 6 2012 Xpect Discounts In Derby To Close Valley Independent Sentinel Retrieved April 18 2018 Driscoll Eugene December 12 2011 Walgreens Wants To Reconfigure Redevelop Red Raider Plaza Valley Independent Sentinel Retrieved April 18 2018 Falbo Sosnovich Jean September 10 2014 Walgreens pulls out of plans to build store in Derby The Register Citizen Retrieved April 18 2018 Mayors Office City of Derby Retrieved December 22 2023 City of Derby Retrieved December 27 2018 NVCOG Retrieved December 27 2018 Connecticut States in the Senate U S Senate Retrieved October 25 2015 Connecticut Directory of Representatives U S House of Representatives Retrieved October 25 2015 Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of January 01 2024 PDF Connecticut Secretary of State Archived from the original PDF on February 20 2017 Retrieved April 20 2017 General Election Statements of Vote 1922 Current CT Secretary of State Retrieved December 23 2020 Election Night Reporting CT Secretary of State Retrieved December 23 2020 District Detail for Derby Public Schools www nces ed gov Retrieved September 17 2018 St Mary St Michael School Profile www privateschoolreview com Retrieved September 17 2018 Sale of Marshall Lane Property Finalized January 12 2018 Retrieved September 17 2018 Marshall Lane Dormitory Opens in Derby September 19 2018 Retrieved September 22 2018 Connecticut Crime Index City Rank USA com January 7 2018 Crime in Connecticut PDF State of Connecticut September 2018 Retrieved December 19 2018 Lydia Sherman the Derby Poisoner May 11 2018 Retrieved September 22 2018 Derby recalls 1989 triple murder PDF New Haven Register August 12 2014 Retrieved September 22 2018 Smilow Cancer Center Derby Yale New Haven Health January 7 2018 Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center www yalegriffinprc org Retrieved August 7 2017 Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center Yale Center for Clinical Investigation Crime in Connecticut PDF January 6 2018 Lake Housatonic Authority Retrieved September 23 2018 Derby Storm Engine Co Ambulance Has Two Ambos Again Valley Independent Sentinel Derby Fire Dept Retrieved December 9 2018 Derby Greenway Retrieved September 22 2018 Naugatuck River Greenway Trail System About the Greenway February 7 2017 Retrieved September 22 2018 Connecticut Trail Census Retrieved September 22 2018 Kellogg Environmental Center Pickett s Pond Osbornedale State Park Retrieved December 19 2018 Documentary History of American Water Works Retrieved September 22 2018 Witek Memorial Park Retrieved September 22 2018 Derby History Quiz National Humane Alliance Watering Trough Electronicvalley org Retrieved on 2013 07 15 Connecticut s Civil War Monuments Retrieved September 20 2018 Civil War monument shines in Derby once more CT Post July 11 2018 Retrieved September 20 2018 Orcutt Sammuel 1880 The History of the Old Town of Derby Press of Springfield Printing Co Olde Uptown Burial Ground Retrieved December 30 2018 Digrazia Christine December 2 2001 In Derby A Big Story Hits Home New York Times Retrieved December 19 2018 Oxford Woman 94 An Unlikely Victim Of Anthrax Attacks Hartford Courant April 14 2014 Retrieved December 19 2018 Connecticut woman dies of inhalation anthrax CNN November 22 2001 Retrieved December 19 2018 FBI formally closes protracted anthrax case Connecticut Post February 19 2010 Retrieved December 19 2018 The River Restaurant 25 years later Valley Independent Sentinel December 6 2010 Retrieved September 22 2018 6 found dead after Connecticut blast NY Times December 8 1985 Retrieved September 22 2018 Title Page Woman children are killed in fire Hartford Courant August 14 1991 Retrieved December 15 2018 Echo Hose History July 12 2015 Retrieved December 15 2018 Flood of 1955 Retrieved September 23 2018 Naugatuck River at Beacon Falls Retrieved September 23 2018 Mako Michael October 9 2015 Solar Panels installed on Derby s former landfill www ctpost com Retrieved March 17 2019 Fry Ethan October 15 2015 Construction To Begin On Derby Solar Project www valley newhavenindependent org Retrieved March 17 2019 FuelCell Energy Announces the Award of Two Fuel Cell Projects Totaling 22 2 Megawatts by Connecticut Department of Energy amp Environmental Protection PDF www fuelcellenergy com June 18 2018 Retrieved March 17 2019 Gov Malloy and DEEP Announce Selection of 250 MW of Renewable Energy Projects www ct gov June 13 2018 Retrieved March 17 2019 Salmonsen Mary November 6 2016 CONNECTICUT S FIRST ZERO ENERGY READY SUBDIVISION IS TAKING SHAPE www builderonline com Retrieved March 17 2019 O Neill Tara November 27 2016 Homes at Derby s Singer Estate set new efficiency standards www ctpost com Retrieved March 17 2019 List of Utilities by Town PDF www ct gov Retrieved April 18 2019 MNR Stations Retrieved September 18 2018 Valley Transit District www valleytransit org Retrieved May 30 2019 Who Was Who in America Historical Volume 1607 1896 Chicago Marquis Who s Who 1963 Mayko Michael P November 2018 Derby s Bob Skoronski Green Bay Packer legend dies News Times Hearst Media Services Connecticut LLC Retrieved November 3 2018 2 Howe House web page of the Electronic Valley website accessed on July 22 2006External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Derby Connecticut City of Derby official website Derby Historical Society Derby a city of New Haven county Connecticut U S A Encyclopaedia Britannica 11th ed 1911 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Derby Connecticut amp 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