Derby, Connecticut
Encyclopedia
Derby is a city in New Haven County
, Connecticut
, United States
. The population was 12,391 at the 2000 census. With 5 square miles (13 km²) of land area, Derby is Connecticut's smallest municipality.
The city has a Metro-North railroad station called Derby – Shelton.
, England in 1675.
In the nineteenth century, both corsets and hoop skirts were manufactured in the city.
Charlton Comics
, a comic book publishing company that existed from 1944 to 1986, was based in town.
Also Saint Michaels Church and the Derby Hook and Ladder Firehouse.
, the town has a total area of 5.4 square miles (8.7 km2), of which, 5 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (7.41%) is water. The city is home to the 1.4 square kilometres (345.9 acre) Osbornedale State Park
. Derby is divided into two main sections by the Naugatuck River: East Derby and Derby Center (Birmingham).
of 2000, there were 12,391 people, 5,252 households, and 3,245 families residing in the town. The population density
was 2,487.6 people per square mile (960.7/km2). There were 5,568 housing units at an average density of 1,117.8 per square mile (431.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 90.08% White, 3.62% Black or African American
, 0.16% Native American, 1.74% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.52% from other races
, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.67% of the population.
There were 5,252 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,670, and the median income for a family was $54,715. Males had a median income of $42,367 versus $30,458 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $23,117. About 6.9% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
, an online-only, non-profit news site, launched in June 2009. It has an office in Ansonia. Its editor lives in Derby.
The Valley Gazette, a weekly, also covers Derby, as does The Connecticut Post and The New Haven Register.
New Haven County, Connecticut
New Haven County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2010 Census, the county population is 862,477 making it the third most populated county in Connecticut. There are 1,340 people per square mile...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 12,391 at the 2000 census. With 5 square miles (13 km²) of land area, Derby is Connecticut's smallest municipality.
The city has a Metro-North railroad station called Derby – Shelton.
History
Derby was settled in 1642 as an Indian trading post under the name Paugasset. It was named after DerbyDerby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, England in 1675.
In the nineteenth century, both corsets and hoop skirts were manufactured in the city.
Charlton Comics
Charlton Comics
Charlton Comics was an American comic book publishing company that existed from 1946 to 1985, having begun under a different name in 1944. It was based in Derby, Connecticut...
, a comic book publishing company that existed from 1944 to 1986, was based in town.
Derby sites on the National Register of Historic Places
| Historical population of Derbyhttp://www.sots.state.ct.us/RegisterManual/regman.htm |
|
| 1756 | 1,000 |
| 1774 | 1,889 |
| 1782 | 2,218 |
| 1790 | 2,994 |
| 1800 | 1,878 |
| 1810 | 2,051 |
| 1820 | 2,088 |
| 1830 | 2,253 |
| 1840 | 2,851 |
| 1850 | 3,824 |
| 1860 | 5,443 |
| 1870 | 8,020 |
| 1880 | 11,650 |
| 1890 | 5,969 |
| 1900 | 7,930 |
| 1910 | 8,991 |
| 1920 | 11,238 |
| 1930 | 10,788 |
| 1940 | 10,287 |
| 1950 | 10,259 |
| 1960 | 12,132 |
| 1970 | 12,599 |
| 1980 | 12,346 |
| 1990 | 12,199 |
| 2000 | 12,391 |
- The Kraus Corset FactoryKraus Corset FactoryThe Kraus Corset Factory is located in Derby, Connecticut. The building was built in 1879 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 12, 1987. The factory was converted into apartments....
, now the Sterling Rowe Apartment House on the corner of Roosevelt Drive and Third Street. - OsbornedaleOsbornedaleOsbornedale is a two-story colonial revival house located in the Derby Neck section of the city of Derby, Connecticut that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is operated as a museum. It is significant for being the home of Frances Osborne Kellogg, a proponent for equal...
, a farm house built in the early nineteenth century. - Howe House, built in 1845.
- Sterling Opera HouseSterling Opera HouseThe Sterling Opera House is located in Derby, Connecticut. The building was built in 1889 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 8, 1968.-Sterling Opera House in popular culture:...
was built in 1889 to seat 1250, and remained in use until 1945. City Hall and a police station occupied the two lower levels until 1965. - Derby Public Library, built in 1902 with Ansonia marble, the library was originally 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. The chapter also donated $5,000 for books with the stipulation that people in the town raise an equal amount.
- Birmingham Green Historic District was designated on April 21, 2000, as Derby's sixth site on the National Register of Historic Places.
Notable residents, past and present
- Edward WoosterEdward WoosterEdward Wooster was an English early pioneer of Colonial America, and "the first permanent settler in Derby", Connecticut....
(1622–1689), "the first permanent settler in Derby" - Samuel George AndrewsSamuel George AndrewsSamuel George Andrews was a United States Representative from New York from 1857 to 1859 and a two term mayor of the city of Rochester from 1839 to 1840 and 1856 to 1857.-External links:...
, (1796–1863), born in Derby, United States Congressman from New York - Ebenezer Don Carlos BassettEbenezer BassettEbenezer D. Bassett was an African American who was appointed United States Ambassador to Haiti in 1869. He was the first African-American diplomat....
(1833–1908), the first black American diplomat (appointed in 1869 to Haiti), was raised in Derby. - Steve DitkoSteve DitkoStephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
, co-creator of Spider-Man comics hero, once lived in town. - Isaac HullIsaac Hull-External links:* *...
(1773–1843), commodore in the U.S. Navy; commanded among other ships, and nephew of William Hull - William HullWilliam HullWilliam Hull was an American soldier and politician. He fought in the American Revolution, was Governor of Michigan Territory, and was a general in the War of 1812, for which he is best remembered for surrendering Fort Detroit to the British.- Early life and Revolutionary War :He was born in...
(1753–1825), general in the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, governor of Michigan TerritoryMichigan TerritoryThe Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
, and uncle of Isaac Hull - Stephen Whitney (1776-1860), merchant and one of New York's first multi-millionaires
- David HumphreysDavid Humphreys (soldier)David Humphreys was a American Revolutionary War colonel and aide de camp to George Washington, American minister to Portugal and then to Spain, entrepreneur who brought Merino sheep to America and member of the Connecticut state legislature...
, American Revolutionary War soldier, public official and entrepreneur - Orson HydeOrson HydeOrson Hyde was a leader in the early Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles...
(1805–1878) a leader in the Latter Day Saint (Mormon) movement, raised in town - Elizabeth Ann WhitneyElizabeth Ann WhitneyElizabeth Ann Whitney , born Elizabeth Ann Smith, was an early Latter Day Saint leader, and the wife of Newel K. Whitney, another early Latter Day Saint leader.Born in Derby, Connecticut to non-sectarian parents, Ms...
(1800–1882), early Latter Day Saint (Mormon) leader born in town - Patrick B. O'SullivanPatrick B. O'SullivanPatrick Brett O'Sullivan was a U.S. Representative from Connecticut.Born in Derby, Connecticut, O'Sullivan attended public schools....
(1887-1978), Attorney, Derby Corporation Counsel, CT State Senator, US Congressman, Superior Court Judge, and Chief Justice of the CT Supreme Court. - Brian DennehyBrian DennehyBrian Mannion Dennehy is an American actor of film, stage and screen.-Early years:Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Hannah and Edward Dennehy, who was a wire service editor for the Associated Press; he has two brothers, Michael and Edward. Dennehy is of Irish ancestry and was...
, actor in movies such as First BloodFirst BloodFirst Blood is a 1982 action thriller film directed by Ted Kotcheff. The film stars Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a troubled and misunderstood Vietnam War veteran, with Sheriff Will Teasle as his nemesis and Colonel Samuel Trautman as his former commander and only ally...
and CocoonCocoon (film)The score for Cocoon was composed and conducted by James Horner. The soundtrack was released twice, through Polydor Records in 1985 and a reprint through P.E.G. in 1997 and features eleven tracks of score and a vocal track performed by Michael Sembello...
, lived in Derby during his early life and was a Boy ScoutBoy ScoutA Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
in Troop 3, based in Derby. - Nick PietrosanteNick PietrosanteNick Pietrosante was an All-Pro fullback in the National Football League. Raised in Ansonia, Connecticut, he attended Notre Dame High School of West Haven, Connecticut, graduating with the Class of 1954. He was the first All State athlete at Notre Dame High School...
, NFL Fullback for the Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
, was born in Derby. - Alan SchlesingerAlan SchlesingerAlan Schlesinger is an attorney, former Derby, Connecticut mayor, former Connecticut State Representative, and three-time unsuccessful Congressional candidate who received the Republican nomination for the seat representing Connecticut that is currently held by U.S...
, former Derby mayor and unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2006. - Frank P. Witek (1921-1944), recipient of the Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, was born in Derby.
Landmark
The city has resurrected an "historic trough" – 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 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 formally dedicated with the surrounding Derby Hall of Fame Plaza on September 1, 2007.Also Saint Michaels Church and the Derby Hook and Ladder Firehouse.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 5.4 square miles (8.7 km2), of which, 5 square miles (12.9 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) of it (7.41%) is water. The city is home to the 1.4 square kilometres (345.9 acre) Osbornedale State Park
Osbornedale State Park
Osbornedale State Park is a Connecticut state park in Ansonia and Derby, Connecticut. It includes the historic home Osbornedale, which is operated as a house museum....
. Derby is divided into two main sections by the Naugatuck River: East Derby and Derby Center (Birmingham).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,391 people, 5,252 households, and 3,245 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,487.6 people per square mile (960.7/km2). There were 5,568 housing units at an average density of 1,117.8 per square mile (431.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 90.08% White, 3.62% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.16% Native American, 1.74% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.52% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.67% of the population.
There were 5,252 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,670, and the median income for a family was $54,715. Males had a median income of $42,367 versus $30,458 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $23,117. About 6.9% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 25, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Active Voters | Inactive Voters | Total Voters | Percentage |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
2,834 | 42 | 2,876 | 42.11% |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
931 | 93 | 1,024 | 14.99% |
Unaffiliated | 2,802 | 121 | 2,923 | 42.80% |
Minor Parties | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0.10% | |
| Total | 6,574 | 256 | 6,830 | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Plans for the future
The Howe House "will become home of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Industrial Heritage Center; where the Derby Historical Society's extensive collection of Industrial Era artifacts will be properly displayed. Future educational programs will include student hands-on programs that will introduce the Industrial Revolution and the Valley's active role in this period."Media
The Valley Independent SentinelValley independent sentinel
The Valley Independent Sentinel is an online-only, non-profit news site covering Connecticut's lower Naugatuck Valley.The site launched June 22, 2009...
, an online-only, non-profit news site, launched in June 2009. It has an office in Ansonia. Its editor lives in Derby.
The Valley Gazette, a weekly, also covers Derby, as does The Connecticut Post and The New Haven Register.
Footnotes
External links
- Derby Official Web site
- Derby Historical Society Web site The society was "Founded April 18, 1946, to serve the Naugatuck Valley towns of AnsoniaAnsonia, ConnecticutAnsonia is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, on the Naugatuck River, immediately north of Derby and about northwest of New Haven. The population was 19,249 at the 2010 census. The ZIP code for Ansonia is 06401. The city is serviced by the Metro North railroad...
, Derby, OxfordOxford, ConnecticutOxford is a town located in western New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,272 at the 2010 Census. There are several areas in Oxford: Quaker Farms, Riverside and Oxford Center. Oxford belongs to the Naugatuck Valley Economic Development Region and the Central...
, SeymourSeymour, ConnecticutSeymour is a town located in western New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town was named for Governor Thomas H. Seymour. The population was 15,454 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, & SheltonShelton, ConnecticutShelton is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,559 at the 2010 census.-Origins:Shelton was settled by the English as part of the town of Stratford, Connecticut, in 1639...
." - Griffin Hospital
- Osbornedale State Park Information