May 23rd

1883

The State sold the basin, bounded by South Ann and East Mill streets, (Clinton Park) to the village for one dollar. The basin had used the Inland Canal as a feeder, and was connected to the Erie Canal via the Aqueduct so boats could satisfy the needs of the “North-Side” merchants. The old Inland Canal was gradually filled in. The people continued to use what was once the basin as a dump.

1902

The handsome new home of Irving E. Stacey on Waverly place is about completed and Mr. and Mrs. Stacey have begun moving into it. It is a fine ornament to that locality. Currently, it is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Babinec.

1905

Hallinan Bros. have completed their contract of blasting and leveling the rock on the five acre plot on east Burwell Street. The “Girvan Square,” as it is called, is to provide a playground for the city. The rock will have a covering of dirt and will then be level and well adapted for baseball and other sports. The contractors receive $600 for the job.

1969

There were a wide variety of exhibits by local businesses and manufacturers at the “Know Your City “ Show at the high school gymnasium. More than 3,000 residents and 1,000 students filed through the elaborate and comprehensive displays.

May 24th

1933

The verdict was against the 18th amendment as the anti-prohibitionists carried the city by a 2003 to 188 vote for repeal of the Dry Law.

1970

In a letter read at Sunday Masses at St. Mary’s Church, it was made known that the high school department of St. Mary’s Academy will be closed at the end of the current school year.

May 25th

1881

Thirty-four carloads of German emigrants, nearly 2,000 persons, passed west through here today. It was the largest emigrant train over the road so far this year.

1918

The Fire Department moved to their present quarters in the recently built City Hall.

1962

Former Supreme Court Justice Abram Zoller, who had served on the Fifth Judicial District bench for 28 years died at his home. He was previously Herkimer County judge and surrogate and mayor of his native Little Falls.

2015

Long time city resident, and City Historian for over 40 years, Edwin Vogt passed away today. Ed served as a Herkimer County Legislator, was civic-minded and was a very articulate poetry writer and publisher.

May 26th

1831

LABOR WANTED – some people who are in want of both work and money, will be interested to know that Mr. Buxton is at the hotel to hire two hundred teams to draw material on the line of the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, and for 500 laborers to prepare stone etc.

1882

Several boys were brought before Police Justice Dasey for violating one of the village by-laws by playing baseball on Sunday. Four pleaded guilty and were fined two dollars each, while the remainder preferred to stand trial. The examination was frequently interrupted by the disorderly conduct of some of the spectators.

1916

Work on the big lock has been completed, and it is in working order, as several fleets in addition to a large number of pleasure craft have successfully passed through it. Currently, it takes one-half hour for passage.

1917

The Mack Fire Truck arrived in Little Falls. It was “a complete fire department on wheels,” weighing eight tons, with a four cylinder, seventy horse power motor. It was first used to fight a fire on June 3rd.

May 27th

1869

Mr. and Mrs. General Tom Thumb and Commodore Nutt and Minnie Warren, who have attracted attention throughout the world, will give two entertainments at Keller Hall. It is a rare opportunity for the citizens of Little Falls to see these little people. Admission 25 cents, children 10.

1906

The new Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church on Petrie Street was dedicated today.

1932

The salaries of rural mail carriers in Little Falls and around the country may be slashed 10%, and many would be terminated if the proposed measure is approved by President Herbert Hoover. 

1993

Linda Vincent, president of Canal Place Development Association and Mayor Roger Stock presided over the opening of the walkway over the hydroelectric plant which leads to Moss Island and Lock 17.

May 28th

2020

The Little Falls Volunteer Corps, through partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses, has spent more than 120 hours on coordinating and delivering meals to hundreds of residents, providing summer meals for kids, and distributing more than 2,000 masks during the coronavirus outbreak.

May 29th

1827

An attempt by Judge Sanders Lansing, who represented the Ellice Estate, to write a second charter in 1826 was aborted. Judge Nathaniel Benton drew up a new, less restrictive third charter, in which a majority of trustees must be freeholders. This was adopted, and at an election on this date at the stone school, Benton was chosen as the first village president. The total to be raised by taxes was limited to $300.

1920

All of the members of the Little Falls police department, except for Chief Long, have resigned with several finding other employment. The blue suits were replaced by the gray suits of the state police with six troopers assigned to patrol the city where they are doing splendid work.

1953

By a 1,284 to 421 tally, Little Falls area voters approved school centralization. The new district included city districts and 15 districts from surrounding towns. A seven member school board was created.

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!