Derby History Quiz

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This beautiful old-time ball park fooled just about everyone as only Randy Ritter knew that it was Lake Housatonic Park. The picture dates from 1895. The field was located along what is now Roosevelt Drive. Several people guessed Buddie's Field, but that came along much later. Here is an excerpt from a commemorative edition of the Evening Transcript published in 1896.

In 1895, a branch line of the Derby Street Railway Company was built from the center of town to the Lake Housatonic Park. According to the old Evening Transcript, "Lake Housatonic Park contains a handsome pavilion where band concerts, dancing and theatrical performances of various kinds are given during the season, while on the lake are launches, row boats, and canoes, all run by the company. The ball grounds are considered the best in the state, and the grand stand and bleachers have a seating capacity of 3,000. The past season was a most successful season in every way, and the games between the local and visiting teams were unusually well attended for a place of this size."

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