Jan. 17th

1913

Mrs. Cornelia Moore, one of the best known African-American residents of Little Falls for over 60 years, has passed away. She was honored and esteemed by all who knew her. Active in the affairs of the A.M.E. Zion church, she was one of the best known cateresses in the Mohawk Valley. 

1943

Ninety-five year old Martin Burney of Little Falls, Herkimer County’s last veteran of the Civil War, died today in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Burney’s body will arrive in Little Falls tomorrow and will be met by an American Legion honor guard. Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery.

Jan. 18th

1918

The Aldermen voted $2,500 to equip a company of Home Guards and the members also raised $1,900. Remington single-shot rifles and equipment was purchased and they drilled at the Y.M.C.A.  Captain Guy Beardslee of East Creek, a retired army officer, was their commander.

1962

The Little Falls Sesquicentennial Corporation, after conducting a hugely successful celebration during the summer of 1961, has been dissolved. Monies, left over after the festivities were completed, amounting to $ 13,202.57 was donated to the Little Falls Hospital Building Fund by Dr. Fred C. Sabin who was general chairman of the program.

Jan. 19th

1883

At Jacob Zoller’s packing house on Main Street, car load after car load of fresh porkers arrive to be cut up, salted and smoked. It’s not an area where one wants to be on a hot summer’s day.

1924

In  “Hints for the Motorist” in the Automotive section of the Evening Times, advice was given to motorists on: windshield wiper repair, clutch lubrication and slippage, wheel bearing trouble, cold proofing rear-axle lubrication, cylinders won’t fire, engine won’t start, and fan belt noise.

1965

Cale Developers of Herkimer have been chosen to develop the two-block Urban Renewal area known as the “Downtown Project” bounded by Main, Second, Albany, and William streets at an estimated cost of $1,300,000. They are to develop the property and to sign up tenants. Local cost is $195,000.

Jan. 20th

1798

The location of the boundary between Herkimer and Montgomery counties was in dispute for many years. On this date it was proposed that the boundary be set at the mouth of the East Canada Creek where it empties into the Mohawk River, and extends northward to Canada.

1893

At the Celtic Lyceum, a debate was held – the question being as to whether or not women should be given the right to vote. The debaters, three men on each of two teams, skillfully presented their arguments pro and con, and the judges, all male, declared the women suffragists were more persuasive.

1941

A spectacular fire at 4:00 a.m. caused an estimated $60,000 in damages to the three story Foley apartments on Hancock Street displacing eighteen families in near zero weather. All occupants reached safety, although most residents had no insurance and many saved only what they could carry.  The owner, John Foley, plans to rebuild as soon as possible.

1997

White-out conditions forced two Royal Canadian Air Force helicopters to make a surprise landing in the parking lot of Cherry-Burrell at 6:45 pm. The seven crew members spent the night in Little Falls before continuing on to their destination.

Jan. 21st

1890

People scoff at the idea that anyone has had the genuine Russian influenza. Every man who has had a little cold flatters himself that he has the fashionable disease. Whether you call it “La Grippe”, “influenza”, plain “grip”, or a matter of fact cold, one has profound respect after wrestling with the critter awhile.

1969

Wilbur Crisp, Syracuse University basketball star, but more importantly the legendary basketball coach at LFHS for decades has died. A state championship in 1929-30 and all-class section 3 championship in 1959-57 were the high points of his 334-167 record. Crisp was also a prolific inventor of basketball and wrestling devices and equipment. He also coached at SMA.

1974

Mabel Richards, who had been identified with the library system since 1907, passed away today. She had served as school librarian from 1907 to 1929 and as librarian at the Little Falls Public Library for many years beginning in 1929.

1977

In a letter to Rear Admiral J. S. Gracey, Commander of North Coast Guard District, and Victor E. Taylor of the Federal Highway Administration; Stanley Doromas Of The U. S. Department of Interior strongly recommended against approval of the application for a bridge over Moss Island. Various groups had indicated that Moss Island merits protection and preservation.

2020

The first case of coronavirus (COVID19) was first reported at a nursing home in the U.S., in Washington state.

Jan. 22nd

1976

Little Falls has been designated a Bicentennial City.

2010

The  1982 Little Falls High School state champion baseball team was inducted in the Mohawk Valley Baseball Hall of Fame  before a crowd of 200 gathered at the Knights Inn in Little Falls.

2015

The Wyndham Hotel Group has upgraded the “Knights Inn” in Little Falls to “Travelodge and Suites.” The move will provide a wider marketing plan. The motel has 48 rooms and four suites.

Jan. 23rd

1937

St. Joseph’s parish, made up of Italian immigrants, had been formed in 1923 and a wood-frame church was soon built at the corner of East John and South Mary streets. On this evening, the church was destroyed by fire.

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!