Here is the first pictorial history of Derby, a community with a glorious Colonial past, a manufacturing era that spurred development throughout Connecticut's lower Naugatuck Valley, and a strong and enduring interest in its heritage. Derby traces the community from its early beginnings in the 1600s to 1950. Derby is unique in many ways. It has what is probably the oldest public burial ground in the country. It operated the first electric railway in New England at a time when there were only 12 others in the entire land. And today, it has the distinction of being the state's smallest municipality, with an area of only 5.4 square miles.

The town of Ansonia is situated at the foot of Connecticut's Berkshire Hills, above the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers. This manufacturing village was named for its founder, Anson Phelps, a businessman who played a prominent role in the community. Ansonia shares its earliest history with the neighboring town of Derby, of which it was a part until 1889. Ansonia has been called the Industrial Heart of the Naugatuck Valley. Yet, as you will see inside, its history is rich beyond its industry. Ansonia highlights the town's wonderful old homes and churches. This one town had 25 churches at one time. The book follows the town through good times as well as hard times, such as the Blizzard of 1888 and the Flood of 1955 and the redevelopment days that followed.

The town of Ansonia is situated at the foot of Connecticuts Berkshire Hills, above the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers. This manufacturing village was named for its founder, Anson Phelps, a businessman who played a prominent role in the community. Ansonia shares its earliesthistory with the neighboring town of Derby, of which it was a part until 1889. Ansonia has been called the Industrial Heart of the Naugatuck Valley. Yet, as you will see inside, its history is rich beyond its industry. Ansonia highlights the towns wonderfulold homes and churches. This one town had 25 churches at one time. The book follows the town through good times as well as hard times, such as the Blizzard of 1888 and the Flood of 1955 and the redevelopment days that followed.

History of the city of Derby, Kansas