This Week in History – Week of Jan. 10th
Jan. 10th
1908
The John Pierce Company, at its quarry on the “burnt rocks”, features two 105 foot towers which support a great cable and bucket that transports rocks to the gigantic crushers whence it goes into bins that load the finished product rapidly into railroad cars by gravity.
1910
Up for consideration was a proposal to build a double track electric railroad (trolley) between Little Falls and Johnstown passing through Sammonsville, Ephratah, Palatine Church , and St. Johnsville. This railway would connect with the current trolley from Little Falls to Rome. The line was never built.
1934
Teachers’ contributions of 15% of their salary to the work relief projects will be discontinued, and they will be receiving their full salary. Sick leave allowances will also be restored.
1946
Four are feared dead and two rescued as the top floor of the stone mill on Moss Island occupied by the Transit in Storage Co., Inc. as a warehouse collapsed from the weight of heavy bales of wood pulp. A large crane was brought in to expedite rescue work. Father Heenan entered the ruins to administer last rites.
1976
Arson was a definite possibly of the late Saturday evening fire that destroyed two-thirds of the Little Falls High School, with damage estimated at three million dollars. Major divisions amongst school board members, administration, faculty, students, and the community festered for nearly a decade.
Jan. 13th
1913
The Y.M.C.A., a magnificent gift to the community from David H. Burrell, was formally opened to the public. Built at a cost of over $100,000, the fully equipped building is dedicated for the benefit of men and women of Little Falls irrespective of creed. There are facilities for swimming, pool, billiards, bowling and basketball.
Jan. 14th
1890
An exhibition of the Edison phonograph is being held at the Metropolitan hotel for a few days. This human talking machine is one of the wonders of the age. A large number of musical selections will be given. Admission is 25 cents.
Jan. 15th
1836
A fire burned the library collection.
1865
Seaman Daniel Bass, of Little Falls, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the land assault at Fort Fisher, North Carolina on this date. After most of the assaulting force retreated, he remained behind, and came safely away bringing the wounded, the arms, and the colors. He is buried in the Wilcox Cemetery in Little Falls.
1875
Mr. J.A. Woolever, freight agent at Little Falls, reported that 5,653,118 pounds of cheese was shipped by rail from Little Falls during 1874. He indicated this total did not include large numbers of cheese sent by boat during this same period. 12 million pounds was shipped from Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery, and Otsego counties valued at $1,740,000.
1909
The modern Little Falls Post Office, at the corner of West Main and Third Streets, the new home of Postmaster Harry Becker and his force, is ready to open.
1919
The last rites for the city’s foremost citizen and philanthropist, David H. Burrell, were held at his Overlook Mansion. The services were in keeping with the simple life he lived – no eulogy and no music. Business was suspended during the funeral hour. The cortege to Church Street cemetery consisted of fourteen carriages containing mourners, bearers and escort.
1939
The ice skating rink known as the “Huddletown Ice Palace” on Kingsbury Avenue in the upper West Monroe Street neighborhood has opened under the supervision of George Malavasic. The rink had large crowds and featured a Winter Carnival. Mr. Malavasic went on to manage the city sponsored Monroe Street Ice Skating Rink for many years.
Jan. 16th
1890
Olga, young daughter and only child of Dr. and Mrs. K. A. Bushnell, died at her home of malignant measles. An immense, beautiful monument, fashioned after a recent photo of Olga and her dog, adorns the family burial plot in Church Street Cemetery.
1897
The Little Falls Electric Light and Power Company and the Little Falls Gaslight Company have consolidated under the name of the United Gas and Electric Company of Little Falls.
1900
The National Herkimer County Bank in Little Falls has been fortunate in having been designated a depository of United States internal revenue funds.
1934
The Little Falls Maennerchor has purchased the Stephan A. Ingham property on South Ann Street and, after alterations and improvements, will endeavor in make it one of the finest homes belonging to any organization in the Mohawk Valley.
This Week in History” is brought to you by the Little Falls Historical Society. Please Visit the Little Falls Historical Society Website and please consider supporting the Museum by becoming a Member. Download the membership form here!
Additional Links
- Little Falls Historical Society
- Times Telegram
- Little Falls, NY
- Little Falls City School District
- Little Falls Hospital
- City of Little Falls
- Little Falls Youth & Family Center
- Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts
- Upstate Venture Connect
- Shop Little Falls, NY
- Preserve Our Past
- The Mohawk Valley Through the Lens
- My Little Falls
- Think Local Little Falls
- Little Falls Public Library