This Week in History – Week of August 23rd
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. 25th
1874
Mr. Henry Cheney, founder of the Cheney Hammer Company in Little Falls, has bought the local axe factory lately owned by Mr. Barry Van Vechten.
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.
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!
Additional Links
- Little Falls Historical Society
- Times Telegram
- Little Falls, NY
- Little Falls City School District
- Little Falls Hospital
- City of Little Falls
- Little Falls Youth & Family Center
- Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts
- Upstate Venture Connect
- Shop Little Falls, NY
- Preserve Our Past
- The Mohawk Valley Through the Lens
- My Little Falls
- Think Local Little Falls
- Little Falls Public Library