Jun 5th

1756

During the French & Indian War, General Prideau camped at the little falls on his way to Fort Niagara.  His forces consisted of 2,680 Provincial troops, 2,300 British regulars, and 600 Indians.

1824

Increased travel on the Mohawk River and the new Erie Canal marked the appearance of floating museums, floating book stores, floating lottery offices, and floating dry goods stores.

1898

The locality most favored by the “thirsty” in Little Falls is South Ann Street between the tracks and the river, where in the immediate neighborhood are fifteen saloons.

Jun 6th

1926

One- hundred families of the National Catholic Polish Church, under the name of “Holy Spirit” parish, gathered for worship at the African Methodist-Episcopal Church on West Main Street. The local congregation was formerly affiliated with the Polish Roman Catholic Church on Furnace Street.

1986

A $21 million hydropower plant developed by the Little Falls Hydroelectric Associates on the Erie Canal and Mohawk River is nearing completion, and is expected to be in operation in the Fall.

Jun 7th

1921

Seventy-five people, from seven families, were driven from their homes this morning, with only scant, belongings in a tenement fire on East Mill Street near Seeley Street. Where the people can move to is in question, as the city already has a considerable shortage of homes.

Jun 8th

1855

Washburn’s Great Indian Circus was in town. All genuine Indians, the chiefs accompanied by their warriors will parade at 10:00.

1885

James Jackson opened the “Temperance House” on the former Petrie block at the northeast corner of Albany and Second streets. Previously it was a hotel conducted by J. E. Kenfield on the second and third floors.

1927

A gang of gypsies arrived here from the west. Police officer Lockwood jumped on the running board of one of their automobiles and saw that they kept right on moving until they got out of town.

Jun 9th

1868

St. Paul’s Universalist Church on Albany Street was dedicated today. Originally holding services at either the old Octagon church or the stone school, the Universalists, showing the tolerant spirit of the times, had also held services at the Baptist Church and funerals at the Methodist Church.

1933

A big tanker, loaded with unrefined molasses, sank west of Lock 17, the entire cargo was lost, and the river for miles was made sticky and discolored. The river banks all the way to Fort Plain are lined with thousands of dead fish.

1997

LFHS senior Tess Malone won the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C-D championship in the 400 meter dash in Kingston.

2008

Michael Masi was appointed chief of the Little Falls police department by a unanimous vote of the Police and Fire Board. Masi first came to the Little Falls Police Department in 1992. Former chief Gregg DeLuca retired last month.

Jun 10th

1919

The lifetime savings of Mr. and Mrs. Bart Latorre was missing after a fire of mysterious origin at their home on Flint Avenue. The money, $3,082, hidden away in bedding could not be found after the blaze was extinguished. Officials believe it to be a case of robbery. Firemen were held up by trains at two crossings.

1929

The new sewage lines on Southern Avenue are below the level of the river. Therefore, Southern Avenue sewage will be raised by pumps 11 feet to a line which will carry it to East Jefferson Street for movement to its disposal place in the river.

Jun 11th

1825

During his Revolutionary War 50th anniversary tour, General LaFayette, the famous French aristocrat and military officer, stopped to pay his respects at the grave of his old friend, Major Andrew Eacker Finck just east of Little Falls. Major Finck had been his Aide de Camp.

1862

The body of the first Little Falls soldier to die in the Civil War was returned home for burial. Matthew Kennedy was given all the solemn honors a bereaved community could bestow on one who gave his life for his country.

1901

The Common Council approved the purchase of five voting machines at a cost of $500 each. The machines will cut the number of election districts down to four, and one machine will be held in reserve.

1957

Adam Lorenzoni, of this city, appeared on the national TV program, “It Could Be You”, in California where he had a surprise reunion with his daughter Rita Lorenzoni Osredkar.

1963

The Little Falls First Baptist Church dedicated a plaque to the memory of Francis Bellamy, the author of the Pledge of Allegiance. The plaque was placed on the front of the church located on Albany Street. Bellamy was ordained in Little Falls and served the local congregation from 1879 to 1885.

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!