Dec. 12th

1843

Abbey Kelly, Abolitionist and Quaker, is at the Washington Hall today and tomorrow.

1881

Little Falls continued to hold the foremost place as a cheese market. During the year 15,181,500 pounds of factory cheese was sold here at an average price of 0.108933 cents per pound. The value was $1,653,184.17. This is solid money paid to our dairymen creating a great degree of prosperity. In addition a large quantity of dairy cheese was sold.

1941

WW II era – About 500 Little Falls area young men gathered at the American Legion to sign up for work in some branch of service in the local defense program. They expressed willingness to “anything, anytime.” A hundred men at Hansen’s also volunteered.

Dec. 13th

1939

Born in Little Falls in 1886, and brought up here, internationally renowned architect Dwight James Baum has died. He designed many homes, hospitals, college buildings, and pavilions for the 1939 World’s Fair, but his most famous work was the Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida for John Ringling of circus fame.

2002

Partners Trust Financial Group, the holding company for the Savings Bank of Utica, announced that it has received the required regulatory approvals to acquire Herkimer County Trust Company of Little Falls. The parties expect to close the transaction before year-end. HCTC was in business 169 years.

Dec. 14th

1879

After his preparation for the ministry at the Rochester Theological Seminary, Francis Bellamy was ordained a Baptist minister at the First Baptist Church in Little Falls where he served as pastor from 1879 to 1885. After leaving Little Falls and serving at churches in Boston, and while working for the ‘Youth’s Companion” magazine, Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance which was nationally accepted in 1892.

1892

The first train passed over the railroad to Dolgeville, and there were many excursions to High Falls Park the following summer.

1961

Voters of the Little Falls Central School District gave emphatic disapproval to the proposition to build a new high school by a 2,169 to 875 vote. Additionally, the voters, with even more displeasure, rejected to building a swimming pool at the proposed school by a 2,399 to 461 vote.

1964

“Quackenbush Hall,” the old three-story brick building opposite The Evening Times office on South Second Street, is ready for the wrecking ball. The lower floors were built between 1858 and 1867 for the manufacture of carriages. When a third story was added, it was best known as a rental hall for dancing, parties and political meetings between 1874 and 1914.

2019

On this date, the “Men” overcame a seventeen point deficit to defeat the “Ladies” 13 to 10 to win the 2019 Pitch Championship at the Little Falls Historical Society.

Dec. 15th

1891

The toboggan chute off East Monroe Street is ready for  business. Water pipes have been laid so the slide can be sprinkled and kept in condition. Tobogganing will doubtless be one of our popular winter sports.

1931

An ambulance, once owned by the Mary Imogene Bassett hospital in Cooperstown, has been refinished inside and out,  and was donated to the city by Dr. H. W. Vickers. The firemen will care for the machine.

1933

Fifty-five men went to work on approved CWA projects in the city. These tasks include construction of the Summit Avenue storm sewer, building new sewer manholes, and graveling roads within the city. Working six hours a day for five days a week, foremen receive $1.20 an hour and laborers 53 cents an hour.

1949

John Crowley, Editor and chief stockholder of the Evening Times for nearly sixty years passed away today. He influenced much of what went on in Little Falls through his stinging editorials in his newspaper.

2007

The inaugural “Christmas in Little Falls” celebration was held.

Dec. 18th

1830

Disgusted with alien ownership, Little Falls citizens met to petition the New York State legislature to enforce the Alien Land Law of 1817.

1896

James Riley has secured, for the sum of $25, the privilege from the State of using the part of the canal known as Leigh’s Level for an ice skating rink. Little Falls school children are allowed free at specific times. The general public is to pay an admission charge of five cents for using the rink. 

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!