Derby's long history and contributions, from the town's beginnings in the 1600s to 1950, is revealed in this fascinating history. 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.