Derby Historical Society

Ansonia (Images of America: Connecticut) Derby Historical Society

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.