Oct. 1st

1875

The Merchants’ and Farmers Bank is doing business at the Banking House on Main Street in Little Falls. Banking hours included Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.

1883

Large crowds lined up to purchase tickets for the first passenger train to leave Little Falls on the West Shore Railroad. The West Shore depot was later called “South Little Falls.”

1895

D. H. Burrell & Company have recently imported the ”Thistle Mechanical Milking Machine” from Scotland for their operation on their Hilltop farm. The machine at the Burrell farm milks ten cows at once, averaging one cow per minute, with favorable results.

1958

The Salada-Shirriff-Horsey Company of Boston, Mass., Plant City, Fla., and Toronto, Canada, will acquire the “Junket” Brand Foods Division of Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory, Inc. of Little Falls, as of this date.

1974

The newly built quarters for the New York State Employment Service opened today at 690 East Main Street, the site of the former  Knights of Columbus Home which had been razed.

Oct. 2nd

A wartime speed limit of 35 miles an hour went into effect for privately-owned autos nationwide. New York state police indicated tickets would be issued to drivers exceeding the speed limit by one mile per hour or more.

Oct. 3rd

1911

The Polish Catholic Society has purchased property at 45 Furnace and has begun erection of their new church which should be completed next year. The society has occupied the A.M.E. Zion church on West Main Street for a year or more.

1914

All of the memorial stained glass windows that are to be placed in St. Mary’s church have now reached New York City from John Hardman & Sons of Birmingham, England.

1929

At a meeting of the Exchange Club, a letter from S.D. Bradway was read announcing that the Barnet Leather Company was ceasing operations in Little Falls. The company has a long history in the city in their plant on East Mill Street.

1951

Alec MacCallum, a pioneer basketball player, passed away today at age 73. Born in Hardenberry Castle, Worcester, England in 1878, he moved to Little Falls in 1888. When Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891, MacCallum took up the sport and became exceedingly proficient. He played for the Little Falls Athletics in the first game between Little Falls and Herkimer.

Oct. 4th

1835

The new Emmanuel Episcopal church on Albany Street was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk, Bishop of New York. The congregation had previously worshipped at the old Octagon church, and purchased this property in 1833. The historic Trinity Church Parish in New York City had donated $1,500 towards the building fund.

1921

The non-reinforced concrete road was opened from Little Falls to Paine’s Hollow, amidst great fanfare, to connect with the macadam road to Richfield Springs.

Oct. 5th

2002

At a ceremony at Benton’s Landing, New York State Canal Corporation, federal, county, and local dignitaries lauded the start-up of the new boat tour service in Little Falls. Captain Tom Ryan will offer the cruises. Mayor Ted Wind commented that about 1,200 people have taken the boat tour thus far.

Oct. 6th

1848

Welch’s National Circus was in Little Falls for performances – 2 pm and 7 pm. Admission was 25 cents.

1887

A huge boulder, called “Spook Rock “, stands close to the road on the shore of the river just east of the village. The rock is so called because superstition avowed that someone had been murdered nearby, and a ghost or spook haunted the place and often appeared to passersby.

1912

The Presbyterian congregation in Little Falls begins a four day celebration of its centennial. They first worshipped in the Old Octagon Church, and the present body was organized in 1812.

1924

The Richmond Hotel will be the site for the annual convention of the New York State Automobile Association which is being sponsored by the Little Falls Automobile Club. Business meetings will be held at the Gateway Theatre. Little Falls is being touted as being on the main line trunk highway half-way between New York City and Buffalo, and Albany and Syracuse.

2001

Little Falls High School senior, Joclyn Van Gorder, the lone member of the high school ski team, has been chosen as one of 7,500 to carry the Olympic torch on its cross country trip to Salt Lake City, the site of the 2002 winter Olympic Games.

Oct. 7th

1887

By actual count there are seventy-eight establishments in Little Falls where liquor is sold. No wonder dealers complain of a duliness in trade.

1916

The city hall cornerstone was laid this afternoon witnessed by a big crowd. Designed by architect W. Neil Smith of New York, the building was made possible through David H. Burrell’s gift of $60,000. The estimated cost, with furnishings is $150,000.

1947

Work was begun on installing parking meters in Little Falls.

1948

A month prior to the presidential election, hundreds waited in the rain as President Harry S Truman made a “whistle stop” here. He attacked the “do-nothing” 80th Congress, and extolled the virtue of Herkimer County cheese. Truman defeated Dewey.

1983

Little Falls and area communities were jolted by an early morning moderate earthquake. The earthquake was recorded at 5.2 on the Richter scale, and was centered  at Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondack Mountains  about 60 miles north northeast of Little Falls. No local damage was reported.

Oct. 8th

1823

The first boat toll on the canal was collected at Little Falls.

1915

The new front steps of St. Mary’s church will be carved out of a solid rock. The big boulder is being hauled out of Moreland Park.

1922

The number of auto accidents on the River Road continues to alarm. John Doxstader’s car ran into the river after an accident below the Gulf Bridge.

Oct. 9th

Oct. 10th

1802

In a letter to Alexander Ellice, William Alexander reported that the saw mill and fulling mill were of little use, the dams, runway etc. are decaying and the bridge over the Mohawk River was impassable.

1941

About 125 magicians were registered at the Hotel Snyder for their annual state convention. One highlight was a daring “suspension act” by Elmer Eckam at Eastern Park.

1952

Headline The Evening Times “Registration Drive Surges Toward Its Climax in City,”  

“Early morning newscasts over the national radio networks, have already picked up the news of the  community-wide campaign in Little Falls for a record registration and vote.  Comment is to the effect that this city may be setting the pace for similar campaigns being carried on in towns and cities throughout the country.”

Another headline on the same day: “Float Used to Urge All To Register”

“A float, bearing a cash register and six girls is touring the city today and tomorrow as a part of the drive to “Register and Vote…The float bears the slogan, “Cash In On Your Citizenship. Register Today!”

1960

The saw mill at Andrew Little & Sons, Inc. on West Mill Street became the last industry in Little Falls to convert from water power to electricity. Andrew Little came to Little Falls in 1874 to build the woodwork at the Methodist church. When the project was completed he started his company.

Oct. 11th

1860

A ”monster” parade was held in Little Falls, with several bands and two thousand men in uniform all carrying torches. The parade was organized by Republicans to further the efforts to elect Lincoln president.

1874

Little Falls progresses. There were five drunken fights in the village last night.

1890

A young bride, married two weeks ago without her farmer father’s consent, was torn from the arms of her husband in front of the Cowen shop. As she attempted to rejoin her husband, she was “picked up like a sack of flour” by her irate father, thrown into a buggy and driven out of the village at a rapid pace.

1962

It was announced that the Little Falls Felt Shoe Company will cease operations at the local plant, and by the end of this year will consolidate all its factory work at the St. Johnsville plant.

2012

William Moynihan, Little Falls native and St. Mary’s Academy graduate, has passed away. Earning degrees from SUNY Binghamton, Colgate, and Syracuse (Ph.D.), Bill had leadership positions at Colgate, was director of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and lastly as CEO of the Milwaukee Public Museum. He was buried in Hamilton, N.Y.

Oct. 12th

1933

The biggest parade celebration in the history of Little Falls was held to symbolize the faith and confidence of the local people in the NRA (National Recovery Act) and the advent of better times. The mammoth event will feature 21 bands, 50 floats, and many uniformed organizations. A children’s parade was also held.

Oct. 13th

1952

Evening Times Headline: “Registration Sets New High Record Here”

“Community Get-Out-The Vote Drive Goes Over the Top With 5325 Signed Up.”  “The people of Little Falls responded to the campaign for record registration with enthusiasm surpassing any ever seen in the history of this city by piling up a total of 5325 registrants, exceeding the previous high….In every district of every ward, increases were shown and, as early as 6 pm on Saturday evening Chairman Edward Marion said the battle was as good as won.”

Oct. 14th

1914

Three New York Giants baseball players, Fred Merkle, Rube Schauer, and B. F. Dyer, en route to the Pacific coast, stayed at the Richmond Hotel, and played pool and billiards at the George Burns Cigar store. Burns, formerly from Utica, had played leftfield for the Giants. The trio also visited with Burns’ parents who reside in Little Falls.

Oct. 15th

1841

A Little Falls newspaper described the work being undertaken in the village as ”There is a splendid public works going on, along the Grand Erie, turning the channel of the Mohawk from its ancient course and bidding its waters seek a new passage to make way for the splendid double locks of the enlargement.”

1868

General James Garfield, a future president of the United States (1881), stopped in Little Falls to visit his friend Seth Richmond. A few years later, when taken ill while traveling on a New York Central train, he spent several days with his friend at the Richmond house at 546–548 East John Street, as there no hospital in Little Falls at that time.

1918

Word has been received that Albert Flint has died as a result of wounds received while fighting somewhere in France. German Street, on the south side, was renamed to Flint Avenue in his honor.

1934

A long familiar landmark, the A. M. E. Zion church at 222 West Main Street, is being torn down. The church, which served the colored community, was established in 1889. The number of colored people remaining in the city could be counted on one hand.

Oct. 16th

1886

A lockout began in the mills in Little Falls as the Knights of Labor started an organizing campaign. At issue is not the employers right to discharge and to hire whom they please, but the firing and “blacklisting“ of those workers involved in union activities.

1931

The Elite Restaurant on Main Street is pleased to announce that due to the lower prices of food-stuffs, it will now serve a 25 cent dinner – Roast Leg of Lamb or Fresh Ham; Home-Made Dressing; Apple Sauce; Green Peas; Mashed Potatoes.

Oct. 17th

1839

At Couch’s Hall in the old McKinster House, Mr. and Mrs. Powell would present the tragedy “Doughs” on Monday, “The “Apostle” on Tuesday, and “Lady of the Lake” on Wednesday.

1844

The Little Falls Academy, the first large structure devoted to higher education in the village, was incorporated by the regents of the state of New York. The three story high stone structure, containing six large and 26 small rooms, was built at a cost of $12,000 and housed 217 students. The bell was donated by Dudley Burwell. The building was razed in 1896 to make room for the “new” Benton Hall Academy.

1895

There is a growing sentiment in this city that the principal streets, at least, ought to be paved. That is particularly true of Main Street. The cost is to be shared by the city, the street railway company, and the abutting property owners. The use of bricks for paving has given satisfaction and should be used.

1916

A large tree standing in front of the D. H. Burrell & Co. office building on Albany Street was blown over and struck the National Herkimer County Band building (current Little Falls Historical Society) across the street.

1991

Jewel thief and serial killer Gary Evans entered the jewelry and coin store in the basement of the Burrell building and murdered the owner, 36 year old Little Falls resident, Gregory Jouben. Evans escaped from police and committed suicide by jumping off a bridge into the Hudson River avoiding trial and jail time.

Oct. 18th

1855

M. Bowes built the Octagon house on Prospect Street.

1876

Dean Miller, born a slave in Danube at the home of General Nicholas Herkimer, now owned by his brother, George, died today at age 76.Mrs. Miller gained the respect and admiration of all of whom she ever came in contact – her virtues were many. Three descendants of the Herkimer family erected a monument to her memory at her grave at the “Colored People’s Burying Ground” in the Church Street Cemetery.

1933

The city has received a consignment of 1,900 pounds of pork from the federal government for needy families and the unemployed. The meat must be given to the families in addition to whatever other food supplies the family has been getting.

Oct. 19th

1918

Little Falls’ allotment for the Fourth Liberty loan was $1,270,500 which was quickly attained in less than one month under the chairmanship of Frank Simpson. In addition, $27,000 was raised by selling war saving stamps.

1959

Studies undertaken by the U. S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce reported that the population density of Little Falls is greater than most urbanized areas of the country. For Little Falls 2,450 persons per square mile – Average of USA urbanizes areas 849 persons per square mile.

Oct. 20th

1952

“Record Registration Wins City National Recognition”

“Little Falls has been designated as a “Model American City” by the American Heritage Foundation, as a result of the splendid efforts of local residents that resulted in a record high registration in this city this fall. Word to this effect has been received by Edwin L. Marion, Jr., chairman of the Register and Vote Committee here.

Announcement of the national recognition that has come to Little Falls should serve as an incentive to the citizens to roll up a record vote on Election Day. The committee is now devoting its attention in seeing to it that the public is made as well acquainted as possible with the candidates and the issues and will also concentrate on the arrangements for a “Lights On-Votes Out” campaign to bring voters to the polls on Nov. 4.’”

Oct. 21st

1881

The YMCA first functioned in Little Falls as a “reading room” with Pledge of Allegiance author Rev. Francis Bellamy serving as meeting secretary. The first rooms occupied by the society  were on the corner of John and Second streets.

1908

The merchants of the city will inaugurate a novel scheme to bring them more business. Beginning in November, they will run a special trolley from Frankfort, through the Valley towns, to Little Falls. Passengers will be given a circular book with advertisements from 38 city merchants, and if a purchase is made, free transportation home will be provided on the trolley.

1925

A  bill to Dr. Grace from Smith- Addington Motor Company, 637 Main Street in Little Falls, for service on his automobile was for $5.73 –  3 ½ hours of labor ($4.38), 3 pounds grease ($0.75), and one head gasket ( $0.60.) Labor is charged at $1.25 per hour.

1998

Little Falls High School senior Erica Daniels, competing as an independent athlete since the school does not offer a swimming team, has qualified for the Section III championships in three events: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard breaststroke.

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!

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