May 1st
1846
S. F. Bennet, begs leave to inform the citizens of Little Falls and vicinity, that he is now receiving a very extensive stock of Books and Stationary, cheap Literature, Toys and Fancy Goods, Looking Glasses, Hard Ware, Woolen Ware, and every description of Groceries, Fruit, &c. which he offers for sale at greatly reduced prices for ready pay.
1877
Rollin Smith requested permission to build a bandstand in Eastern Park and collected the funds necessary for the construction. It was completed in time for the Memorial Day dedication of the Soldiers’ Monument in the park by the G.A.R.
1886
The control of the Police and Fire Departments passed from the Trustees to a commission named Board of Fire and Police consisting of the Mayor and four Commissioners, but the Mayor has no vote.
1893
A large crowd of people gathered at the Central railroad station to see the fac simile of the original “Dewitt Clinton” locomotive and the first coaches drawn by it over the Albany & Schenectady Railroad.
1900
H. P. Snyder Manufacturing completed a shipment of 500 bicycles to a firm in Wolverhamton, England. Since December 1899, the company has produced 11,953 bicycles, the largest number ever turned out in a similar length of time.
Edward Cooney was appointed Little Falls’ first paid fire chief, a position he held for 47 years. During his tenure, he oversaw the transition from horse- drawn to motor-driven apparatus.
1916
The Stacey Company Cheese ceased operations when the executives foresaw the decline of Herkimer County as the center of the cheese trade, and the building space was taken over by the Little Falls Felt Shoe Company which had been founded in 1905. Irving E. Stacey is president of both companies.
1946
City Historian, Edward J. Cooney Jr. completed reviewing records and interviewing Little Falls participants in World War II. He totaled 1688 men and 69 women, and could not find records for another 11. 363 were married before entering the service, another 256 after joining up.
1967
The A&P grocery stores are discontinuing the distribution, begun in 1961, of Plaid Trading Stamps.
May 2nd
1892
A freight train of the Central composed of 135 cars passed through Little Falls. It was probably the longest train ever drawn by one engine, being over a mile in length.
1897
A council of the Knights of Columbus was organized in the old Gymnasium Hall in the McCaley Building in Little Falls. The society has grown greatly in favor among the Catholic people of the area and has a very large membership. 61 candidates were initiated the Major Degree of the Order by Judge John J. Delaney of New York City.
1913
Health Officer Dr. A.B. Santry reported that the small-pox epidemic in Little Falls has ended. Sixty cases were placed under strict quarantine, and guards were on a vigorous watch at each house so others might not be exposed. The epidemic has cost Little Falls more than the textile strike.
2002
Alan N. Vincent of Little Falls was confirmed as a member of the recently established Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The commission’s charter is designed to enhance tourism, education, recreation, and economic development along the more than 500 mile waterway corridor.
May 3rd
1832
A collection of animals were exhibited at the Eagle Tavern, consisting of an elephant, African lions, tiger, cerval, cougar, panther, camel, apes, etc. A pretentious menagerie was viewed with keen interest by people from all around the neighborhood.
1834
The Angenvine Natural History Museum was on exhibition in the Public Square (Western Park) in tents set up for the occasion. The show travelled by boat. This was believed to be the first “circus” to visit Little Falls.
1895
A chance is now given Little Falls people to stop paying the heavy royalties on Bell telephones that they have kicking about for years. All they need to do is to stick by the new Interstate Company, and this will be possible.
1932
Chief of Police James Long has returned from Colorado, bringing with him John N. Blair of the town of Little Falls, who is wanted for deserting his wife. He located Blair on a sheep ranch, and arrested him with a warrant charging him for non-support.
1974
Felix Frederiksen , Little Falls native and son of the famous cheese expert Johan Frederiksen, died at age 81. Encouraged by his father, he started a cheese-making business in the city on East Monroe Street, and eventually moved to Minnesota where he became the first to commercially produce bleu cheese.
2013
Demolition continued on a large part of Shopper’s Square to make room for a new 30,500 square foot Price Chopper supermarket. The grocery store will be built on the western end of the site, while the eastern end will undergo renovations. The total cost of the project is $6,459,149.
May 4th
1881
Nate Bradford reports that 3,091 people took their meals at his hotel. They consumed six hundred pounds of meat, a barrel of coffee, two chests of tea, eight tubs of butter, six barrels of flour, one thousand pounds of sugar, five hundred cans of fruit and vegetables, ten hundred pounds of cheese, besides other provisions such as potatoes, & turnips.
2014
The grand opening of the new Price Chopper supermarket in downtown Little Falls began today and will extend for the next two weeks.
May 5th
1882
The Herkimer Telephone Company is fitting up an office in the Petrie Block, at the northeast corner of Main and Second Streets. Connections will be had with Utica and there are 25 subscribers. Rates are $40 a year for business places, and $36 for residences.
1896
By a law lately enacted it is made a misdemeanor to throw tacks or broken glass in the way of bicycles. The offense has been committed in Little Falls, and if repeated it will not bode well for the person who may be found guilty.
May 6th
1849
On this day, John Splan was born in Little Falls, and by the age of seven “had a fair notion of a horse.” He hung around local stables and race tracks and ran away from home at a young age. Splan became a very early pioneer in the sport of trotters and became famous throughout the country in racing circles. Many of the training techniques he developed are still in use today.
1916
Men who were engaged in work on the new Grace block on William Street came upon 500 pennies which had been stowed away in the ancient structure for many long years. Some of the pennies dated back as far as 1811 and were of the large sized variety.
May 7th
1832
An ordinance was passed to change the name Telegraph Street to Mohawk Street and President Street to Jefferson Street.
1900
Mr. and Mrs. George Sanborn, of Utica, visited Little Falls today in the locomobile, a very neat horseless carriage, of the gasoline variety. Its adaptability for climbing our steep streets was shown by a run up Church and Prospect streets.
1918
Pickpockets, operating at the Hippodrome, Gem Theatre, and other public gathering places, have met with much success in the city. Wallets, purses, and watches all have been lifted.
1971
The Little Falls Citizens’ Advisory Committee proposes that the mayor appoint the library trustees.
May 8th
1796
Mr. Bethune Dodd was appointed by the Presbytery to preach at the Octagon Church. The previous evening, he stayed at the home of John Porteous.
1895
The cannon boomed and the headlines declared “LITTLE FALLS IS A CITY AT LAST” as the New York state legislature approved the charter for the village to become a city. Objections had been made for decades by the three towns from which the city was carved, Manheim, Danube, and Little Falls, because of the loss of tax revenue.
1936
The newly formed Birgir Inc. on West Mill planned to manufacture high-grade caskets and sectional bookcases. Birgir Lundstrom heads the company.
1942
WW II Era – 9,825 sugar ration books were issued, on 10,298 applications, at the four registration centers in the elementary schools of the city.
2004
Because of declining membership, Masonic Lodge No. 181 F&AM of Little Falls will meet no more. It has merged with Lodge No. 796 of Dolgeville. At one time the local lodge had over 350 members and another 173 ladies who belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. In existence in Little Falls for over 150 years, its last meeting was in December 2003.
May 9th
1884
Hours were set for the public library which is located in the Chronkhite opera house block.
1892
“The Jewelers Weekly” has mentioned J. H. H. Vosburgh’s remarkable collection of quartz crystals. The Little Falls man has a collection of more than 60,000 “diamonds” found within one mile of the village. This is one of the most unique and interesting collections of small crystals in the world. (Note: Mr. Vosburgh’s collection is on display at Colgate University.)
1903
The South Side Union Church, a handsome structure conceived and constructed under the practical well doing of David H. Burrell, Sr. was dedicated. The first pastor is Dr. J. L. Humphrey who returned to Little Falls from missionary work in India.
1930
In a light turnout, voters in the city approved two bonding propositions for executing public work to offset the slack industrial period and help reduce unemployment in the area. One was for paving Southern Avenue, and the second was for improvements at Church Street cemetery.
1952
Loomis Burrell, chairman of the board of Cherry-Burwell Corp., was honored by Cornell University for outstanding contributions to the dairy industry.
May 11th
1858
The village rented a building owned by McChesney & Furnan ,at the southwest corner of Albany and Second streets, for a new firehouse for Protection Engine Company #2 at a rate of $100 a year. As a result of this move, the south side of the river will have no fire protection.
1869
Governor John T. Hoffman signed the “Finck’s Bridge Bill” much to the delight of the residents and friends of the bridge living east of Little Falls.
1917
St. Mary’s Academy has a finely appointed chemistry laboratory where the students take great interest in their work under the tutelage of Dr. John Hurley a local pharmacist. Dr. Hurley, a member of the State Board of Pharmacy, is considered one of the best authorities in the State on chemical analysis.
May 12th
1885
The village has purchased a three-cornered piece of land at the corner of Gansevoort and Salisbury streets that will allow it to extend Burwell street to intersect Gansevoort Street. The small triangular piece of land bounded by Burrell, Gansevoort, and Salisbury streets will make a very handsome little park. Today it is known as “Bellamy Park.”
1973
Dr. George A, Burgin, 71, died this morning in Little Falls Hospital. Dr. Burgin, long one of the city’s leading physicians and surgeons, was a past president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, a position he served in 1964-65.
May 13th
1900
In Robert MacKinnon’s mill, census enumerators report:: Women of 16 or over 675; girls under 16, 23; men of 16 or over, 420; boys under 16, 22 ; total =1,140.
1921
Becker’s Livery Stable, on South Second Street, is being torn down to make way for Bowman’s Garage. Later, this was the site of the Little Falls Wholesale Company near Luries.
1928
At a jubilee service, St. Mary’s church, one of the largest and most active parishes in the Albany diocese, the parish celebrated paying of the debt, and the 50th anniversary of the building of the edifice. In addition to area clergy, the occasion was attended by Cardinal Hayes from New York City, and Bishops Gibbons, Shahan, and Conroy.
1947
At the 25th anniversary banquet for the Knights of Columbus # 220 in Little Falls, It was pointed out there were 620 local members in 1910, dropping to 160 after the Great Depression. The 1947 membership was 230.
1960
Effective today, freight will no longer be unloaded in Little Falls as the New York Central Railroad is closing their freight house in the city.
May 14th
1818
John Melish, visiting America from Great Britain, described his visit to Little Falls on this day. He wrote, “The road good, adjoining lands stony, but the wheat fields being green of a pleasing appearance.” He went on, “The village has 50 houses many of stone, 6 stores, 4 taverns, church, schoolhouse, 4 mills, and room for 100 mills along the river.”
1886
A new brewery being formed by the Grace brothers is ready to open. One of the brothers spent many months in one of the most celebrated breweries in Burton-upon-Trent, England learning how to make a first-class ale.
May 15th
1856
100 village lots will be sold today.
1936
According to an appraisal filed in Surrogate Court in Herkimer, Edward J. Burrell left a net estate of $383,313.91. (Equivalent to $7,137,305 in 2020 dollars.)
1942
WW II Era – Motorists rushed to fill their tanks before rationing takes effect today. Long lines of cars were waiting at every gas station and at least one station “went dry.” Many came with jars, cans, drums, and jugs to store a little “in reserve.” A majority of the sales were small, some amounting to only 25 or 30 cents. Nearly 2,000 people registered for rationing cards.
1962
The Little Falls Municipal Golf Course located in the northern part of the city near the reservoir has opened. The course has a beautiful view overlooking the Mohawk Valley. The nine hole course is 3,200 yards long and plays to a par 36.
1985
Dr. Jo Ann Crisp-Ellert, former Little Falls resident and daughter of legendary coach Wilbur Crisp, held a one person art show “Stone House” in Washington, D.C. where she resides. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University, and masters and Ph.D. from American University, and post graduate study at Royal College of Art, the Sorbonne, and Yale University. She teaches at the University of Virginia.
1998
In a letter to the Evening Times, the president of the Board of Trustees of the Little Falls Public Library asked the public to support a separate proposition on the Little Falls City School District ballot giving the library funding of $55,000.
May 16th
1917
The Buffalo Bill travelling show returned to Little Falls even though Buffalo Bill had retired. The show featured Jess Willard the former prize fighter.
2015
Artistic Director Vlad Iftinca and Bellinger Performing Arts presented an “Opera and Broadway Treasures” concert at the Masonic Temple in Little Falls before an enthusiastic, sold-out audience. Iftinca brought musical stars Kristn Mengelkoch, Musical Theater Soprano; Janara Kellerman, Mezzo-Soprano; John Moore, Baritone; and Peter Volpe, Bass to Little Falls.
A stunning, sold-out performance of “Opera and Broadway Treasures” was held at the Masonic Temple under the direction of artistic director Vlad Iftinca. Featured artists were from the Metropolitan Opera and Broadway shows.
May 17th
1824
Dr. James Kennedy, Little Falls’ first doctor, who came to the “village” around 1797, sold his business and property on Church Street to Dr. Hosea Hamilton and John Dygert.
1847
Confusion reigned as the main roadway through the village was called at various times, Western Avenue, Eastern Avenue, Catherine Street, First Street, and Main Street. A resolution was passed calling these various streets “Main Street.”
May 18th
1864
Prices at the market – Butter 45 cents a pound, Cheese 20 cents, Lard 30 cents, Eggs 40 cents a dozen, and Potatoes 63 cents a bushel.
1869
The first match game of base ball of the season was played on the Academy grounds between the Shermans of Utica and the Pastimes of Little Falls. The score stood: Shermans, 53 runs: Pastimes, 28 runs. Learn more about early base ball in Little Falls on our virtual exhibit.
1887
The Austrians engaged on the Main street trenches attract much attention from the curious. The digging developed some interesting features of the ancient corduroy road over what was once a water hole near the intersection of Mary Street.
1897
Mayor Dasey has contracted with the Little Falls Citizens’ band to conduct thirteen band concerts during the summer months – five each in Eastern and Western parks, and three at Clinton Park. The band has placed an order for new instruments.
1900
A twelve year old girl on West Main Street submitted to an operation for appendicitis. Over-exertion in jumping rope is said to have caused the trouble.
1913
The new Slovak church on East Jefferson Street was dedicated today as Christ Lutheran Church of Holy Trinity. The fine brick structure is a credit to the Slavish people of the city whose zeal and enterprise brought it into existence.
1915
Movie stars James Cruze and Sidney Bracy made personal appearances at the Gem Theatre in Little Falls.
1979
Local, state and federal officials were present at the groundbreaking for construction of the long-awaiting connector route between the East-West Arterial and the Little Falls Thruway interchange.
May 19th
1876
Phillip Grossman, who owns a saloon opposite the N. Y. Central Railroad Depot, is advertising “I will keep constantly on hand at my saloon a supply of Limburger Cheese, Bologna Sausage, and Lager Beer.”
1878
For the parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic church, the laying of the cornerstone for their new cathedral-like edifice at the corner of East Main and John Streets was a festive and impressive occasion.
1894
Governor Roswell Pettibone Flower vetoed the city charter bill for Little Falls under the “back stairs” influence of Town of Little Falls supervisor Col. T Dasey. Dasey, fearful of losing extensive tax revenues should Little Falls become a city, has long opposed the measure.
1899
An interesting game of basket ball was played at the gymnasium between ladies representing Utica and Little Falls, the latter winning by a score of 14 to 6. The large audience of about 500 was composed entirely of ladies and all were highly pleased.
1976
There is nothing like a snow storm in the middle of May to bring back the annoying realities of Winter. An inch and a half of snow accumulated today in the city.
May 20th
1864
News notes: Seven men and one woman were prosecuted in Little Falls for violation of the village law prohibiting cattle in the street and paid a fine of one dollar.
There were 8 west bound and 7 east bound trains through Little Falls at this date.
1910
The Barge Canal construction has practically ruined the celebrated “Profile Rock” on Moss Island. A large concrete retaining wall is built alongside this historic structure. Initial plans called for entire obliteration of the rock, but a public appeal asked that as much of the rock be saved as possible.
1918
Clocks were turned ahead in Little Falls, as the community joined the rest of the country in the first Daylight Saving Time.
1977
It was a banner day for environmentalists as the decision was made that a Thruway connector bridge will not be built across Moss Island. City officials citing “an indeterminable delay” at the federal level, reluctantly agreed to a route east of the island.
May 21st
1872
Amos King came to Little Falls when he purchased the Saxony Mill, and for four years made woolen cloth, then made the facility a knitting mill when his son, Charles, joined him, as later did Homer P. Snyder. The mill was bought in 1901 by Carl J. Lundstrom for his bookcase factory.
1885
The village trustees appointed a committee of 12 prominent men to investigate the subject of a water works which, after an extensive study, recommended the use of Beaver Brook as a village owned system.
1886
Hancock Street is the name of the new street recently laid out over the Gildersleeve Rocks. Building lots are in high demand.
1895
James Long was appointed to the police force in 1895, shortly after Little Falls became a city, and was promoted to Chief on February 6, 1906. After a long and colorful career, Long retired after 45 years of service and was given the honorary title of Police Chief Emeritus.
1907
A remarkable railroad wreck occurred at Finck’s Basin when a passenger train was hurled from its track by boulders, in front of the fast Buffalo and Cleveland Special train. The only fatality was that of the baggageman. Ten passengers were hurt, none seriously. All traffic was moved to the West Shore Railroad.
May 22nd
1861
The local press stated “Notwithstanding the hard times, failures and war rumors, our dairymen are hurrying forward their produce.” The streets of Little Falls were crowded with wagons as farmers shipped 1087 boxes of cheese weighing 70,503 pounds at the depot. Farmers and buyers made their bargains along South Ann Street by the bank building.
May 23rd
1883
The State sold the basin, bounded by South Ann and East Mill streets, (Clinton Park) to the village for one dollar. The basin had used the Inland Canal as a feeder, and was connected to the Erie Canal via the Aqueduct so boats could satisfy the needs of the “North-Side” merchants. The old Inland Canal was gradually filled in. The people continued to use what was once the basin as a dump.
1902
The handsome new home of Irving E. Stacey on Waverly place is about completed and Mr. and Mrs. Stacey have begun moving into it. It is a fine ornament to that locality. Currently, it is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Babinec.
1905
Hallinan Bros. have completed their contract of blasting and leveling the rock on the five acre plot on east Burwell Street. The “Girvan Square,” as it is called, is to provide a playground for the city. The rock will have a covering of dirt and will then be level and well adapted for baseball and other sports. The contractors receive $600 for the job.
1969
There were a wide variety of exhibits by local businesses and manufacturers at the “Know Your City “ Show at the high school gymnasium. More than 3,000 residents and 1,000 students filed through the elaborate and comprehensive displays.
May 24th
1933
The verdict was against the 18th amendment as the anti-prohibitionists carried the city by a 2003 to 188 vote for repeal of the Dry Law.
1970
In a letter read at Sunday Masses at St. Mary’s Church, it was made known that the high school department of St. Mary’s Academy will be closed at the end of the current school year.
May 25th
1881
Thirty-four carloads of German emigrants, nearly 2,000 persons, passed west through here today. It was the largest emigrant train over the road so far this year.
1918
The Fire Department moved to their present quarters in the recently built City Hall.
1962
Former Supreme Court Justice Abram Zoller, who had served on the Fifth Judicial District bench for 28 years, died at his home. He was previously Herkimer County judge and surrogate and mayor of his native Little Falls.
2015
Long time city resident, and City Historian for over 40 years, Edwin Vogt passed away today. Ed served as a Herkimer County Legislator, was civic minded and was a very articulate poetry writer and publisher.
May 26th
1831
LABOR WANTED – some people who are in want of both work and money, will be interested to know that Mr. Buxton is at the hotel to hire two hundred teams to draw material on the line of the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, and for 500 laborers to prepare stone etc.
1882
Several boys were brought before Police Justice Dasey for violating one of the village by-laws by playing baseball on Sunday. Four pleaded guilty and were fined two dollars each, while the remainder preferred to stand trial. The examination was frequently interrupted by the disorderly conduct of some of the spectators.
1916
Work on the big lock has been completed, and it is in working order, as several fleets in addition to a large number of pleasure craft have successfully passed through it. Currently, it takes one-half hour for passage.
1917
The Mack Fire Truck arrived in Little Falls. It was “a complete fire department on wheels,” weighing eight tons, with a four cylinder, seventy horse power motor. It was first used to fight a fire on June 3rd.
May 27th
1869
Mr. and Mrs. General Tom Thumb and Commodore Nutt and Minnie Warren, who have attracted attention throughout the world, will give two entertainments at Keller Hall. It is a rare opportunity for the citizens of Little Falls to see these little people. Admission 25 cents, children 10.
1906
The new Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on Petrie Street was dedicated today.
1932
The salaries of rural mail carriers in Little Falls and around the country may be slashed 10%, and many would be terminated if the proposed measure is approved by President Herbert Hoover.
1993
Linda Vincent, president of Canal Place Development Association and Mayor Roger Stock presided over the opening of the walkway over the hydroelectric plant which leads to Moss Island and Lock 17.
May 28th
2020
The Little Falls Volunteer Corps, through partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses, has spent more than 120 hours on coordinating and delivering meals to hundreds of residents, providing summer meals for kids, and distributing more than 2,000 masks during the coronavirus outbreak.
May 29th
1827
An attempt by Judge Sanders Lansing, who represented the Ellice Estate, to write a second charter in 1826 was aborted. Judge Nathaniel Benton drew up a new, less restrictive third charter, in which a majority of trustees must be freeholders. This was adopted, and at an election on this date at the stone school, Benton was chosen as the first village president. The total to be raised by taxes was limited to $300.
1920
All of the members of the Little Falls police department, except for Chief Long, have resigned with several finding other employment. The blue suits were replaced by the gray suits of the state police with six troopers assigned to patrol the city where they are doing splendid work.
1953
By a 1,284 to 421 tally, Little Falls area voters approved school centralization. The new district included city districts and 15 districts from surrounding towns. A seven member school board was created.
May 30th
1755
A patent issued by King George II of England, bestowed to John Jost Schnell and Jacob Zimmerman 3,600 acres of land north of the Mohawk River across from the General Herkimer home. Much of the land today is still being farmed by descendants of the patentees.
May 31st
1812
From the journal of Rev. James Joyce of the local Concord Society – “Mrs. John Alexander accused Mrs. William Alexander of riding with three men to Herkimer. I was first agitated on hearing this, but I believe there was more impurity in the reproof than in the action.”
1894
“Billy”, the oldest horse in the state, observed his 41st birthday at the Peter A. Staring farm in Little Falls. Mr. Staring, who died last fall, kept a livery stable in the village for many years.
1918
The new city hall, begun in 1916, was formally opened to the public on Decoration Day with 4,000 people visiting the institution. A feature is the stained glass window, the gift of Mayor Zoller, reproducing Profile Rock. David H. Burrell contributed $60,000 toward construction costs.
1922
The new St. Mary’s cemetery, off Small’s Bush Road in East Herkimer, was formally dedicated by Bishop Edmund G. Gibbons of Albany. The lawn cemetery will now be used as a replacement for the old Catholic cemetery on Sherman Street in Little Falls.
2019
A two megawatt, 8,000 panel, AC solar system will be built near the Little Falls Municipal Golf Course and the Casullo housing development. Payments-in-lieu-of-taxes, over a 15 year period, will be divided among the City of Little Falls, Herkimer County, and the Little Falls City School District.
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!