This Month in History – October 2023

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

1942

WW II Era – 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. 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.

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. 12th

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. 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. 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.

Oct. 22nd

1904

The “March of Progress” has hit Little Falls as noted by the removal of the last wooden awning above Lower’s store in the old Klock Block on Main Street.

1923

The handsome new Gateway Theatre on Ann Street, the latest and finest motion picture house in the Mohawk Valley, opened to capacity audiences  with a Laurel comedy, “The Green Goddess”, and a Pathe Review. The architect, J. Harold McDowell of Cleveland designed it in the English Colonial style.

Oct. 23rd

1817

The 1811 village charter stated five discrete freeholders would be elected as trustees, however there were no property owners since the Ellice Estate owned all the property. Therefore, only their agent was eligible.  On this date, the first property was sold to one, James Etheridge.

1948

The unbeaten Little Falls High School football squad was ahead of Mohawk 7-0 with four minutes to go in the game when Mohawk scored to tie the game 7-7. Little Falls ended the season at 6-0-1 – the best record in school history. The team was led by backs Ted Wind, Bill Vosburg, John Zeman, and  Don Dise, and linemen Tony Gabriel, Dan Lanza, Rudy Lorenzoni, Gino Biasi, Rocco Calicchia, Bill Donovan, and Joe Seifried.

Oct. 24th

1884

Thomas Dale’s sons have commissioned the erection of a fine brick dwelling on Petrie Street, near the corner of Alexander. The building, designed by G. Edward Cooper of Utica, will be fitted with all the modern improvements. The bricks were from the old Catholic church.

1915

Festivities concluded today with a solemn high mass to celebrate the formal reopening of St. Mary’s church. The church has undergone extensive modernization highlighted by the installation of the beautiful stained glass windows made at the studios of John Hardman & Company of Birmingham, England.

1941

Robert Livingston and Edward Marion announced that Bernard J. Malone had been added to their firm as an associate. The law offices were located on the fourth floor of the Burrell building.

1987

Two local teachers, and one retired local history teacher are producing a videotape program “Journey to Yesterday: A Visual History of Little Falls.” Ralph Van Horn, legendary former history teacher, is narrator and current history teacher, Hector Allen, assists. Biology teacher, Joe Loiacono is the cameraman. Over a three-year period it is hoped to have three 1 ½ video presentations.

Oct. 25th

1878

A large ice house, with a capacity for holding 5,000 tons, is being built on the south side flats. The ice will be forwarded to city markets during the hot weather.

1902

The city breathed a sigh of relief after police, acting on a complaint, removed a box containing 50 pounds the high-powered variety of dynamite in the cellar of a home on Whited Street. The explosives had been stored there since the building of the Little Falls-Dolgeville railroad several years ago.

Oct. 26th

1837

The Hinman’s Cave (Hole), situated about one mile north of the village, was explored extensively by students from the Fairfield Academy. Using ropes they descended 100 feet from the surface. There was one room of importance being between 30 and 40 feet wide with dripping water.

1909

The new temple of the International Organization of Odd Fellows, on South William Street, is an ornament and enterprise of the local lodge. The front of the building is an especially fine piece of architecture and is admired by all beholders.

1964

Traffic moved for the first time over the South Side Arterial and bridge over the Mohawk River and Barge canal. There were no ceremonies. At the same time, the old lift bridge, between Mohawk Street and Flint Avenue, was closed, and workmen shortly will start removing it.

Oct. 27th

1882

Xerxes A. Willard, the man responsible in making Little Falls the “cheese capitol of the nation,” has died. He abandoned law as a career, became a farmer and was editor of the Herkimer County Journal, as well being an author on various phases of cheese making which became standards in the industry. He developed the method for establishing cheese prices and transmitting that information instantly across the country.

1887

Improvements in providing water power for running the large number of factories along the Mohawk River have been completed at a cost of about $60,000. Water is now running in the new raceways.

1894

A train bearing Governor McKinley, the famous Ohio statesman and champion of Protection, and future U.S. president,will stop in Little Falls today. McKinley will deliver an address in Clinton Park adjacent to the railway depot.

1910

Col. Theodore Roosevelt is to speak at the City Theatre in Little Falls today. He will be met at the train station by the local Military Band and escorted to the theatre to discuss the issues of the present campaign before a large crowd.

1971

There is opposition to the proposal for a county airport on Gun Club Road just west of Little Falls. Proponents state the airport is a necessary tool for economic development, while the opponents indicate the “luxury facility” caters to private plane owners with taxpayers footing the bill. The airport was never built.

Oct. 29th

1889

Partridges seem to be plenty in the market but at the same time the price is very high. They sell for $1.40 a pair, not dressed.

1919

A “human fly”, in the form of Sergeant George G. Polley, climbed to the top of City Hall. His progress was followed by searchlights from automobiles. After going over the cornice, he ascended the tower, and went to the top of the flag pole. He also stood on his head on the top of the tower.

1998

Legendry Dr. Bernard J. Burke, a family physician in Little Falls for over fifty years, has died. He was known for his compassion, kindness, and humility. Dr. Burke treated thousands of patients regardless of age, situation, or ability to pay. When he was needed he was there. He didn’t always get payment for his treatment, but he was always paid with gratitude and love from his patients. The library in Benton Hall Academy and the bridge spanning the railroad, Mohawk River, and the Erie Canal were named in his honor.

Oct. 30th

1895

Messrs. Snyder & Fisher announce that any resident of Little Falls who orders a bicycle of them before December 1st may have it for $50 net, strictly high grade, with a guarantee for one year. One floor of the factory will be for a bicycle riding school.

1912

The strike at the Phoenix Mill escalates as a riot broke out when the police tried to push their way through a crowd of tightly packed workers. Special officers were stabbed and shot. Many officers and strikers were hurt in a second riot raid at the Slovak gymnasium on German Street (Flint Avenue).

2017

With a little Hollywood magic, East Main Street, between Second and Mary streets, was made to look like a desolate and deserted area for the new Paramount Pictures film “A Quiet Place,” starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt. About 140 people from the movie’s art department “transformed” Main Street. The footage shot in Little Falls  opened the movie.

Oct. 31st

1825

The flotilla of boats bearing Governor Clinton and party arrived in Little Falls at 10 o’clock in the morning as a part of the grand opening of the Erie Canal. His boat, “Seneca Chief,” was towed across the aqueduct to the basin. Following a parade, a banquet was held at McKinster’s Tavern. This occasion was the first authentic appearance of what was later known as the Little Falls Military Band. Elijah Case, Jr. was the leader of the band.

1908

The Little Falls Fish & Game Club received a carload of pike fry from the state hatchery in Constantia. The consignment was dumped into the Mohawk River near Jacksonburg. Anglers are looking forward to good fishing.

2019

Father J. Thomas Connery, age 82, was swept away in flood waters in the town of Norway while endeavoring to get to Newport to say Mass on All Saints Day. Father Connery’s first assignment as a priest was at St. Mary’s church from 1963 to 1966, and he later returned to Little Falls as pastor from 1981 to 1990.

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!