Aug. 1st

1836

Regular passenger train service on a single track of the Schenectady – Utica division of the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad was inaugurated in Little Falls and the Mohawk Valley. Construction and freight trains had been running for some time. The first Mohawk & Hudson train ran from Albany to Schenectady on August 9, 1831.

1933

A major milk strike flares throughout the county with disorder in Little Falls. About one half the normal supply of milk was received at the local processing plants. Clubs were brandished freely by the strikers, and Chief Long and his men endeavored to keep access to the plants open.

Aug. 2nd

1843

Seventy-six year old John Quincey Adams, ex-president, statesman, poet, and philosopher briefly visited Little Falls, and spoke to several hundred admirers at the railroad depot. Adams, on an excursion of New York State, was warmly welcomed by Judge Loomis.

1901

The Stafford & Holts plant was badly gutted by a fire which started in the blacksmith shop, and was a mass of flames when first discovered. The fire was first discovered by Officer Long while he was on patrol duty. At that time they were also manufacturing an automatic cigar vending machine.

Aug. 3rd

1643

Father Isaac Jogues, a French Jesuit priest stationed in Quebec, was captured by the Mohawk Indians on August 3, 1642, and held prisoner for thirteen months during which time he was cruelly tortured. Sometime during his imprisonment, he was taken to the western Iroquois tribes, passing by the little falls, possibly detouring over Fall Hill to avoid the rapids.

1858

The General Herkimer Company #3 took over the old the old German Street (Flint Avenue) engine house as an independent company. The company was admitted to the village fire department in 1960.

1985

Farmers’ Market held each Saturday in the parking lot of the Herkimer County Trust Company, along Albany Street, continues to draw a  goodly number of vendors and customers.

Aug. 5th

1897

The first motor car went through Little Falls today on its way from the factory in Cleveland to New York City. The first local person to own a car was John G. Thomas who acquired a Locomobile, which ran on Kerosene, in 1901 – the first auto accident occurred during 1902. Mrs. D. H. Burrell, Jr. was the first woman driver.

Aug. 6th

1781

A war party of Indians, accompanied by the loyalist MacDonald, struck the Shell settlement northwest of Little Falls. John Christian Shell defended his blockhouse, but two young boys were captured and taken to Canada.

1867

The cornerstone for the new, brick St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church on Alexander Street was laid in the presence of a very large assembly. An open air mass was celebrated in a rustic chapel built for the occasion.

Aug. 7th

1888

Handsome iron drinking fountains, arranged to accommodate man and beast, including cats and dogs, have been placed at the junction of Albany and East Main streets and the western and eastern ends of Western Avenue (West Main Street.) The spout is in the shape of a large frog from whose mouth the water flows to the tank.

Aug. 8th

1869

The new brick St. Mary’s church on Petrie Street was dedicated by Bishop Lynch, with an open air Mass. Within a few years, the church was condemned as being structurally unsound and had to be abandoned. The bricks were used to build homes along Petrie and Alexander Streets.

1906

Balloonist, Professor William Johnson, met his death before a large crowd while making a balloon ascent and parachute jump at the Little Falls fair. His first parachute opened, the second did not, and Johnson landed on wires along the Central railroad just west of the gulf bridge. He died in the Little Falls hospital.

1949

A total of 859 children are registered in the Little Falls summer playgrounds, Director Ann Pocentyluk (Martyniuk) reported.

1961

The opening of the new swimming pool near the Monroe Street field was a big splash as about 400 swimmers, mostly children, were on hand for the first dip. The evening crowd was almost as large as that during the afternoon.

Aug. 9th

1831

The first Mohawk & Hudson train ran from Albany to Schenectady.

2014

Live Shakespeare returns to Little Falls with the Little Falls Theater Company’s (“LiFT”) production of “Twelfth Night” during the 27th annual Canal Celebration.  Under the guidance of director and performer Matt Powers, performances will be held at both Benton’s Landing and Sterzinar Park.

Aug. 10th

1755

A letter from William Shirley, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, directed Captain Marcus Petri to proceed from the little falls to the “Canoeing Place” from the Mohawk River to the Wood Creek. Petri was to defend the area from incursion of French & Indian forces.

1876

Six hundred people left Little Falls and Valley towns, by train, on a grand excursion to the Thousand Islands under the auspices of the Gen. Z. C. Priest Steamer Co. Upon arrival in Clayton, the party will leave immediately on the splendid new steamer, “T. S. Faxion” which has been specially chartered for the excursion on the St. Lawrence River.

1933

The whole town seemed congregated on Ann Street in front of the Rialto Theater, anxious to find out who would be the winner of a new automobile given away by local merchants. Mayor Santry, master of ceremonies, presented the auto to Elizabeth Kling of West Main Street.

1996

During the annual Canal Days celebration, an estimated 1,500 people toured the newly rebuilt and renovated Benton Hall Academy. A large number of them were former students and senior citizens. They were impressed by its architectural beauty and sensed its historical significance.

Aug. 11th

1885

The United States Patent Office granted to David H. Burrell, of Little Falls, New York, a patent for the first technically sound oil burner. Burrell’s work was done to provide a method to heat large vats of milk, and maintain a constant temperature throughout the liquid. The technique was later adapted to home heating systems. On the centennial of his invention, he was honored by President Reagan.

Aug. 12th

1847

The new Benton House has opened (later Girvan House) to the public under the directorship of Mr. Giles Orcutt of Binghamton. It is pleasantly situated at the corner of Main and Ann streets, a short distance from the Rail Road Depot and the Packet boat landing.

1870

A man named Donaldson walked a tight rope suspended across from the Petrie building to the Loomis building, in a bag and blindfolded.

1884

Work on the Little Falls Roller Skating Rink at the corner of Main and John streets is to be commenced this week at a cost of $4,000. The skating floor will be 49 by 128 feet – all appointments to be first class.

1886

The last shipment of starch was made from the Gilbert’s factory ending many years as the village’s leading industry. The raw material had been unloaded to the large storage building on the Erie Canal and conveyorized across Seeley Island to the factory on the Mohawk River for processing. The building will be converted to a knitting mill under the direction of J. J. Gilbert.

1895

Manager Tittle of Camp Jolly launched the new barge “City of Little Falls” to be used to transport up to 500 passengers to the campgrounds a few miles east of the city. The double-decker is 55 feet long and 14 feet wide and will be lashed to the “Victor Adams” which can accommodate an additional 200 people. There is room on the barge for dancing.

1922

“Kite Day” will be introduced to hundreds of Little Falls kiddies, under the age of 12, when they have the opportunity to make a kite and flying it the highest altitude in a contest under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A.

1930

Dan Vickers (later Dr. Dan Vickers), son of Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Vickers, and Wells Davy, both of Little Falls, made their first solo flights at Seymour field near Little Falls. They are members of the Little Falls Flying Club where nine other members are learning to fly.

1967

The Eastern Herkimer County Industries Inc. has purchased 24 ½  acres of land from the New York Central Railroad Company. This land, between the railroad tracks and the Mohawk River, comprises the Riverside Industrial Park. The city recently received $280,000 from the United States Department of Commerce to develop the Riverside tract.

2016

Stephen “Pitt the Painter” Nicholas won the blue ribbon at the first Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts regional art show. ”Pitt” made his living as a sign painter, and was skilled in eglomise or reverse painting on glass. He is most known for his painting of “The Man on the Bateau,” an image seen throughout Little Falls.

Aug. 13th

1976

Bicentennial celebration ceremonies continued throughout Little Falls with a Liberty Tree observance (planting of a pine oak tree at Bellamy Park purchased by LFHS students,) and a Proud Heritage Day program at St. Mary’s Hall.

Aug. 14th

1876

Nelson Rust passed away today. In 1831, Rust took over the tannery established by Eben Britton on the site of the Rialto Theatre on North Ann Street. In 1844 he moved it to East Mill Street. Rust also ran a leather goods store on Second Street and served as village president in 1851. The tannery was sold to J.J. Gilbert and William Weeks in 1874, who in turn sold the tannery to J.S. Barnet & Brothers in 1885.

1884

The Protection Fire Company held an excursion to Catskill for two dollars, round trip. Two trains took 2,560 people to Albany, then by boat to Catskill. The revelers returned to Little Falls at 4:00 am the next morning – tired and happy? Before the Motor Age, recreation was of a group nature rather than the individual system.

1896

James Riley has erected a large dancing pavilion on the vacant lot at the corner of German (Flint Avenue) and Jefferson streets, opposite his hotel. The opening party will be held tonight when the Pelican Club will give the first of a series of dances.

1912

The survivors of the 121st Regiment of the Grand Army of the Republic and their wives, visited the Southern battlefield.

1914

Miss Helen T. Hooley, the first woman lawyer in this area, passed away today at her home in Little Falls. Born in this city, a graduate of Little Falls High School and later Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, Miss Hooley spent her whole life here. She was admitted to the bar in 1903, and was appointed to several terms as clerk of the Surrogate’s Court.

1945

WW II Era – In a spontaneous demonstration, wildly whooping crowds swept the city and cheered the news of the end of World War II. The celebration almost defied imagination, as the  three years and eight months of struggle ended in victory. Crowds were gay and loud and orderly – grills did a big business.

1976

The Little Falls Little Leaguers defeated Williamsville-Buffalo 5-4 in the semifinals, but lost to Staten Island 4-0 in the finals of the New York State Little League Championship. The same group of boys won the high school state baseball championship in 1982.

1987

The inaugural Little Falls Canal Celebration started today. Former resident and businessman, Al  Lovenheim, conceived of the idea as a way to replace the always-popular and well-attended St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s parish celebrations. Jayne Ritz is given credit for the name, to distinguish Little Falls from other communities having  canal days or canal festivals.

Aug. 15th

1887

Thirty mailboxes were strategically located around the village to facilitate mailing letters. The more remote locations had two or three pickups daily, while boxes placed along the main streets had pickups each day at 6:30 am, 9.00 am, 10:10 am, 11:10 am, 1:30 pm, 3:10 pm, 5:30 pm, and 8:30 pm.

1892

Henry Hall, resident of New York City, Little Falls, and Nunda, is in jail in Binghamton charged with bigamy, allegedly the husband of twelve living women located throughout the country. Hall, a painter, resided here for only a few months in 1890, won the affections of, and married Miss Sara Cronk who was employed in one of the mills.

1916

The Health Board has “put a lid down” on the city as it discourages visitors during the summer months, especially those who come from places affected by infantile paralysis. Residents were required to report to the board all incoming visitors to the city, and any violation was to be classed as a misdemeanor.

1938

A large crowd witnessed the opening of the overhead crossing over the New York Central railroad tracks and John Street, heralding the elimination of the dangerous grade crossings in the city. Gate tender Bill Reynolds had the honor of riding in the first auto to cross the bridge.  The Ann Street pedestrian subway also opened.

1964

Police have issued a warning to youthful motorists against squealing their tires, an apparently popular pastime with some young drivers. An eighteen year old boy was arrested at the corner of Ann and Monroe Streets and paid a $10 fine.

Aug. 16th

1777

At his home just east of Little Falls, General Nicholas Herkimer died of his wounds suffered at the Battle of Oriskany on August 6, 1777. He had led the Tryon County militia to relieve the siege of Fort Stanwix (Schuyler) when his forces were ambushed by British troops, Royalists, and Indians in a battle deemed by many as the “bloodiest battle” of the Revolutionary War.

2015

A monument was dedicated at the old “Colored Burial Ground” in the Church Street Cemetery by the Little Falls Historical Society as a tribute to the recently deceased city historian, Edwin Vogt, who had conceived the idea.

Aug. 17th

1880

Dr. Perkins and geologist Hall explored the “Hinman Hole” off of West Monroe Street near the cities boundary, and announced their findings. The cave opening is 394 feet above the Mohawk River, is 70 feet deep, and the surface area of the floor is 100 square feet.

1917

The Red Cross is having their duck sale this evening at the corner of Main and Second Streets.

Aug. 18th

1741

The islands in the Mohawk River at the little falls were granted to Peter Winne. Winne’s ancestors were from Flanders (Belgium) and settled in the mid and upper Hudson River valley. They bought islands in the Hudson River south of Fort Orange (Albany.)

1882

A young man was sent by Police Justice Dasey to Albany penitentiary for 60 days for stealing tomatoes from Kane Brothers grocery store.

1932

Three dry agents from Utica raided the Globe Hotel on West John Street and confiscated 68 cases of home brew. The contents were dumped down the sink and the bottles broken on the floor. A large crowd gathered during the festivities.

1982

An article in the Evening Times mentions that the original George L. Smith bequest was $143,000 with a 1979 value of $1,500,000. The trust department of the Herkimer County Trust Company manages the estate.

Aug. 19th

1953

Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding at a banquet at the Mohawk Valley Country Club attended by 190 persons. Company chairman Johannes Hansen, accompanied by his wife, came over from Copenhagen, Denmark to deliver the principal address at the affair.

Aug. 20th

1835

Colonel McKenster sold his hotel to Ezra C. Southworth and it will be called the Little Falls Hotel.

1867

The Rocktons and the Valley Club of Canajoharie played a very pleasant game of baseball on the Eastern Square in which our boys came off second best, the score standing 66 to 45.

1885

It was a red-letter day as the citizens of Little Falls gave a rousing, solid majority in favor of a water works to ensure a clean and healthy supply of clean water for the village. A pleasing feature of the election was the voting of the ladies who almost invariably voted on the right side for water. 864 electors voted for and 141 against the proposal.

1903

The multi-day “Grand Street Carnival” and “Old Home Week” celebration began today with a huge parade that drew unprecedented crowds to the city. Festivities included a carnival, band concerts featuring local and area bands, and special free exhibitions along city streets.

Aug. 21st

1888

The Irish societies had their union field-day and outing at Burwell’s Grove with estimates of 2,500 to 3,000 attending. The quantities of food and refreshments required was tremendous, and were consumed in proportionate quantities. Athletic sports and exhibitions of strength, throwing of weights, jumping, baseball, foot races, and hurling were held throughout the day.

The Adam Forepaugh Wild West Combination show arrives in Little Falls, and will feature a wondrous sensational production of “Custer’s Last Stand or Battle of the Little Big Horn.” 200 mounted combatants, genuine Indians, scouts, and soldiers including Sergeant Wagner, attack survivor, will be seen.

1916

A locally produced movie, “Man Haters,” was shown at Linton’s Hippodrome Theatre. Made in August 1915 the film featured locals Pauline Killmeier, Mrs. Ella Flood, Mel Nichols, Otto Wagner, and Chief James “Dusty” Long.

1931

The canal and river banks were lined with people, and the nearby streets were jammed with automobiles when Henry Ford’s big boat “Edgewater” came through Little Falls today. The modern steel vessel, 301 feet long and 40 feet wide, presented an imposing sight as it passed by Hansen’s Island.

Aug. 22nd

1882

Barnum & London Shows rolled into Little Falls featuring “Jumbo” the massive elephant, 3 circuses in 3 rings, 2 enormous menageries, and the 7 largest shows on Earth. The shows were viewed in two huge tents.

1893

The steam launch, formerly called “Victor Adams,” was set afloat on the river off Moss Island under the new name of “The Hadley Jones.” The boat will seat twelve persons and will run between Moss Island and Five Mile dam, for pleasure parties.

1896

Local liquor dealers had one of the most jolly outings, enjoying a day of royal sport at their clambake at Camp Jolly. On a day of perfect weather, everyone sang, drank, danced, drank, ate, drank and entered heartily into the sports.

1911

Harry Atwood flew the first airplane, a Wright Biplane, over the Mohawk Valley, passing a little to the south of Little Falls, on his famous flight from St. Louis to New York City. The distance of 1265 miles was covered in 28 hours and 31 minutes.

Aug. 24th

1833

Business commenced at the Herkimer County National Bank on this Saturday morning. Dudley Burwell took the contents home, deposited them under his bed without a pistol or club near them.

1932

Miss Mary Clark won the popularity contest at the Rialto Theatre, sponsored by local merchants, and was given a free trip to Bermuda in October. She was crowned by Mayor Santry as “Miss Little Falls.” Allowed to take a friend, she chose Miss Coletta McLaughlin.

1963

The city of Little Falls has an official flag. It was designed through the cooperation of Acting City Engineer John Gallagher, Mrs. Mary Louise Cooney, and Architect Charles Maltby. The flag features a “Little Falls” diamond, and the wording “City of Little Falls, New York,” “Est. 1811,” and “Inc. 1895.”

1968

The new lookout on the Little Falls – Dolgeville highway has been completed. The beautiful Mohawk Valley is viewed showing the river, canal, NYCRR, highways, and rolling hills.

2009

A vital city resource has been returned to the Little Falls community with the early August reopening of the Francis Skinner Municipal Swimming Pool. The revitalization project was achieved through the efforts of the City DPW, city government, local businessmen and factory owners, area contractors, and many, many dedicated volunteers.

Aug. 26th

1896

William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic nominee for the presidency, stopped briefly in Little Falls at 10:40 at night to the cheers of a great concourse of people. The crowds pushed, surged, and rushed toward the rear platform, and the ovations were so loud and sustained Bryan, the “boy orator,” was unable to give a speech. He smiled and bowed as the train left the city.

Aug. 27th

1837

A robber detached the “baggage wagon” from an eastbound train a short distance east of Little Falls. It was discovered missing a few minutes later, and the train slowly backed up to the village. Two railroad hands surprised the robber going through the mail and belongings, subdued him, and promptly “closed” the case.

1957

Restante’s Dairy advertised milk at 23 cents a quart for home delivery, and 21 cents a quart at their dairy bar on Flint Avenue. A special price of 6 quarts for $1.15. They asked that bottles be returned daily.

2015

Twelve opera singers from Mexico, studying in Little Falls, presented a “Voices of Mexico” concert at Benton Hall Academy under the direction of Mathieu Guertin. They were accompanied by international pianist Vlad Iftinca, who is from Romania and now resides in Little Falls and Teresa Rodriguez.

Aug. 28th

1891

Only taxpayers will be allowed to vote on the proposition to raise $10,000 for the installation of an electric lighting system in Little Falls. Newspaper editorials opined: “Those who have to do the paying should have the say.” The proposal passed 176 to 165.

Aug. 29th

1867

The Rough & Ready base ball club of this village, and the Valley Club of Canajoharie played a “friendly” match at Canajoharie with the locals winning 45 to 11. A little bad blood was manifested once or twice during the contest. One of the local fans was assaulted at the Palatine Bridge railroad depot in a misunderstanding with the baggage master.

1893

The free lunch feature of the saloon business has grown to be such an expense that there is movement in the Liquor Dealers’ Association to do away with it.

1903

A light newspaper train, with three express cars, rushing at 70 miles an hour, jumped the New York Central tracks at the sharp Gulf Curve in Little Falls killing the engineer and fireman. The engineer was trying to make up for time lost at stops in Amsterdam and Fonda.

Aug. 30th

1890

The strike of the Gilboys’ drivers has been settled at last. Two horses belonging to the Gilboys died last night and one yesterday afternoon, besides twenty chickens. They were undoubtedly poisoned by some unknown miscreant.

1892

A Silver Ash Institute will be established in Little Falls. The treatment is claimed to be a sure cure for liquor and morphine habits.

1895

Little Falls is not far behind her sister towns in the adoption of the rational dress by lady bicyclists. There is an old and well-grounded prejudice against the ugly garment invented by Mrs. Bloomer. Prominent ladies in Little Falls society have set the fashion for a really neat appearing article of the present time.

1918

Thieves are raiding the war gardens of the city and automobile thieves are despoiling the vegetable crops of the farmers. What they need is a good charge of rock salt from a shotgun.

1983

The Herkimer County Trust Company celebrated 150 years of banking business in Little Falls. Ralph W. Burrows was president and chairman of the Board. Directors included William Cotter, Ralph W. Burrows, Jr., George Aney, Mrs. Lillian W.B. Fisher, Hon. Edmund McCarthy, Frank G, Mendl, James B. Wright, Richard Collins, and I. Stacey Simpson.

Aug. 31st

1837

Owen McLaughlin of Ireland became the first victim of the railroad as he was killed on the tracks. McLaughlin was employed on a local farm.

2006

After 50 years of doing business as Morgan’s Dairy, plus many years with my father & brother doing business as Hillside Dairy, I am retiring the milk delivery business effective today – W. Morgan Carrig, “The Milkman.”

This Month 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!