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Little Falls, NY

  • This day in history: September 15

    1821

    The first newspaper published in Little Falls, the “People’s Friend”, by Edward Griffing, was printed in Mechanic’s Hall on Main Street, and later at the brick house on Garden Street at the head of Mary Street.

    1843

    The boat “The Champion” left her dock at Little Falls for Troy with a mammoth load: 1944 boxes of cheese, 43 cases of cheese, 3 boxes of woolens, and 1 box of leather. The cargo weighed 150,561 pounds and the toll was $56.50.

    1885

    One of the oldest and most honored citizens of Little Falls, Judge Arphaxed Loomis, passed away. Born in 1798 in Connecticut, he moved to to Salisbury as a young boy in 1803. Long prominent in local affairs, he ranked among the foremost men in the State, and was an acknowledged leader in shaping its course as the Empire State. Arphaxed Loomis, is remembered most for his successful efforts in forcing the Ellice Estate to sell their holdings in Little Falls. He was village president (1831-1836,) County Judge, member of the NYS Assembly, and member of Congress. He built his home at 676 East Main Street in 1832.

    1901

    A memorial service for all churches in the city was held for President William McKinley at the Skinner Opera House. McKinley had been assassinated nine days earlier in Buffalo, New York.

    1982

    New officers were installed for the Little Falls Bocce League. Charlie Raiello, Ugo Taverni, and John Casullo took over the reins from Lou Colangelo and Paul Terenzetti.  The local bocce ball courts are located at the Veterans Memorial Park complex.

    2010

    A flotilla enroute to Rochester for the 2010 World Canals Conference stopped in Little Falls today. The flotilla is made up of pleasure and tour boats, as well as several historic and operational vessels from the New York State Canal Corporation.

  • Many thanks to Louie Baum for his research for This Day in History.

    ALL EXHIBITS

    • 1912 Little Falls Textile Strike
    • 1940 Gulf Curve Train Wreck
    • 240th Anniversary of the Battles of Stone Arabia and Klock’s Field
    • Athletics Wing Collection
    • Battle of West Canada Creek
    • Camp Jolly Exhibit
    • Church Street Cemetery Tour
    • City Hall – A History
    • Distant Drums – Little Falls during the Civil War Era
    • Early Base Ball in Little Falls
    • Early Little Falls Buildings and Organizations
    • First U.S. Cheese Market Exhibit
    • Frog Fountain
    • Herkimer County Bank
    • Little Falls African American History
    • Little Falls Diamonds Collection
    • Little Falls Music Exhibit
    • Little Falls Waterways
    • Little Falls and Women’s Suffrage
    • Making History Today
    • Making History Today Student Edition
    • Massacre at the Little Falls Grist Mill
    • Myjava, Slovakia, Sister City of Little Falls
    • Native American Exhibit
    • Prohibition Exhibit
    • Rockton Exhibit
    • Urban Renewal Exhibit
    • Vietnam War Exhibit
    • World War II and Korean Conflict Exhibit
    Circa 1911 Italian Immigrant workers of the Little Falls - Dolgeville Railroad

    ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS FIND THEIR WAY TO LITTLE FALLS

    November 3, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    On November 1, 1891, forty-eight Italians arrived in Little Falls from Buffalo to work on the Little Falls–Dolgeville Railroad.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_2843.jpeg 700 1200 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-11-03 14:05:262023-11-06 08:44:04ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS FIND THEIR WAY TO LITTLE FALLS
    Hill Side Farm | Eatonville, NY | Present -day 173 Dise Road, with the property owned by Barbara Pelzer. He purchased the farm on June 1, 1858, for the sum of $1,220. His grandparents, Honorable Evans and Phebe Belknap Wharry, bought this land near Little Falls, NY in 1785.

    Home Of The First U.S. Open Air Cheese Market (Part 1)

    October 2, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    DID YOU KNOW…Xerxes Willard wrote articles on the activities of the cheese industry at Little Falls, for the Utica Morning Herald & Daily Gazette, which were read by cheese producers, buying agents and merchants, eventually leading to Little Falls becoming the hub for the Cheese Market?

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/384749044_806958417885799_649379132185753182_n.jpg 603 1044 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-10-02 15:39:432024-09-06 11:43:18Home Of The First U.S. Open Air Cheese Market (Part 1)
    Harry Burrell's home at 664 East Main Street | Present-day Verizon Telephone Co.

    Home Of The First U.S. Open Air Cheese Market (Part 2)

    October 1, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Jonathan Burrell and his family were influential in making Little Falls the cheese capital of the United States and beyond.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AB8707FE-D09B-47FD-9844-E8A020133077.jpeg 411 764 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-10-01 07:29:212024-09-26 12:49:16Home Of The First U.S. Open Air Cheese Market (Part 2)
    The 4 short Red Arrows show the Locations of the 1825 Erie Canal Locks | E36 : Lock 36, known as the Mile Lock, which had a mule shed, where mules could be rented; E37 : Lock 37, which was known as the Van Allen’s Lock, which was a mechanics drydock that was used for boat repairs; E38 : Lock 38, which was known as Perry’s Lock: and E39 : Lock 39, which was known as Leigh’s Lock. | The route of the 1825 Erie Canal is shown on the map with a dotted line on the south side of the Loomis, Seeley and Moss Island | Also marked on the map is a longer Red Arrow marking the location of the 1822 Aqueduct | Circled in Red is the 1795 Guard Lock of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Canal, with the canal path shown on the map with Black Dots, that also includes the 5 lift locks, shown with the symbol of

    THE MAGNIFICENT MILE: PORTAGE TO PRESENT GRAND ERIE CANAL: 1825 PART III

    August 16, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    The Western Inland Lock Navigation Canal (WILNC) was the catalyst for growth in the Mohawk Valley and of the western frontier in the late 1790s.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_2241.jpeg 466 716 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-08-16 09:07:472023-08-16 10:49:10THE MAGNIFICENT MILE: PORTAGE TO PRESENT GRAND ERIE CANAL: 1825 PART III
    1795 Guard Lock

    THE MAGNIFICENT MILE : PORTAGE TO PRESENT. THE WESTERN INLAND LOCK NAVIGATION CANAL PART II

    August 10, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    The resettlement of the village after the American Revolution began when a Scottish immigrant, John Porteous, came to Little Falls in 1785.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_2224.jpeg 1214 843 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-08-10 08:00:242023-08-16 08:11:03THE MAGNIFICENT MILE : PORTAGE TO PRESENT. THE WESTERN INLAND LOCK NAVIGATION CANAL PART II
    Circa 1880’s Rufus Grider Pencil and Graphite Drawing: “Little Falls Rapids”

    THE MAGNIFICENT MILE : PORTAGE TO PRESENT THE LITTLE CARRYING PLACE PART I

    August 9, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    UNVEILING of the HISTORIC 1795 GUARD LOCK signage will take place on Thursday morning, on August the 10th at 11 am in Little Falls.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_2206.jpeg 621 828 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-08-09 07:27:432023-08-16 10:31:09THE MAGNIFICENT MILE : PORTAGE TO PRESENT THE LITTLE CARRYING PLACE PART I
    Crane's Tavern | The old stone tavern was built by William Alexander, son-in-law of John Porteous, and agent for the Ellice Estate, in 1808. | Photo c. early 1900s

    Stag’s Head Tavern (formerly Crane’s Tavern)

    July 12, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    On the 12th of July in 1812, Colonel Morgan, proprietor of the “Stag’s Head Tavern” (formerly Crane’s Tavern) entertained General Stephen Van Rensselaer and his officers on their way to the Canadian frontier. A sumptuous banquet was served followed by the usual toasts.”

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_2004.jpeg 795 1200 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-07-12 08:17:072023-07-19 08:20:29Stag’s Head Tavern (formerly Crane’s Tavern)

    JUNE 30, 1916, Lift Lock Celebration

    June 30, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    ON JUNE 30, 1916, the Lift Lock Celebration began for the opening of Lock 17, the highest single lift in the Western Hemisphere at 40 ½ feet.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Episode-VII-The-Period-of-Peace.jpg 892 1200 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-06-30 12:13:532023-06-30 12:13:57JUNE 30, 1916, Lift Lock Celebration
    The Snell Zimmerman Land Patent

    MAY 30, 1755: A PLACE TO CALL HOME – THE MOHAWK VALLEY

    June 5, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    A patent issued by King George II of England, bestowed to John Jost Schnell and Jacob Zimmerman 3,600 acres of land north of the Mohawk River across from the General Herkimer home.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/The-Snell-Zimmerman-Land-Patent.jpg 488 605 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-06-05 11:13:572023-06-05 11:16:43MAY 30, 1755: A PLACE TO CALL HOME – THE MOHAWK VALLEY

    May 11, 1869: The Fink’s Bridge Bill

    May 11, 2023/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    ON MAY 11, 1869 Governor John T. Hoffman signed the “Fink’s Bridge Bill” much to the delight of the residents and friends living east of Little Falls.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_1557-scaled.jpeg 845 1800 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2023-05-11 17:32:382023-05-11 17:33:13May 11, 1869: The Fink’s Bridge Bill
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    Explore our history

    • The Privy and the Pear Tree: Unearthing Little Falls History in Your Own BackyardJuly 15, 2026 - 2:42 pm
    • Francis Skinner Municipal PoolFrancis Skinner Municipal Pool
      More than 150 Donors Help Reopen Francis Skinner Municipal PoolJuly 1, 2026 - 5:00 pm
    • COMMITTEE OF FIVE PRESENTING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO CONGRESS IN 1776.
      THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 1776 – 2026June 26, 2026 - 8:01 am
    • Little Falls Historical Society Membership PicnicJune 5, 2026 - 1:51 pm
    • Charles P Colby
      A Capacity For AchievementMay 7, 2026 - 7:35 am
    • Fort Herkimer Church
      Patriots Day Event Saturday, May 16, at the Fort Herkimer ChurchMay 5, 2026 - 8:55 am

    Explore the history of the Mohawk Valley

    Visit MohawkValleyMuseums.us

    Museum Exhibits

    • Little Falls and Women's Suffrage
      Little Falls and Women’s Suffragein: Current Exhibits
    • Rockton Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls, NY
      Rockton Exhibitin: Current Exhibits
    • Camp Jolly Little Falls Historical Society Museum
      Camp Jolly Exhibitin: Current Exhibits
    • Prohibition Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls, NY
      Prohibition Exhibitin: Current Exhibits
    • Athletics Wing | Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls, NY
      Athletics Wing Collectionin: Current Exhibits, Ongoing Exhibits
    • 1940 train wreck | Little Falls Historical Society Museum
      1940 Gulf Curve Train Wreckin: Ongoing Exhibits, Past Exhibits
    • Native American Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      Native American Exhibitin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • Little Falls Diamonds Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      Little Falls Diamonds Collectionin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • World War II Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      World War II and Korean Conflict Exhibitin: Past Exhibits
    • Little Falls Cheese Market | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      First U.S. Cheese Market Exhibitin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • Myjava, Slovakia Exhibitin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • Little Falls Waterwaysin: Past Exhibits

    Explore events happening in the Mohawk Valley

    See what's happening on MohawkValley.Today

    OLD BANK BUILDING MUSEUM HOURS

    By appointment only after October 4, 2025 until May 2026.
    SPECIAL DATES:
    OPEN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 9-2
    OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS IN LITTLE FALLS ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH

    Explore the history of the Mohawk Valley

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