From the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On April 6, 1903, the South Side Athletic Club has been reorganized with Frank O’Hara as manager. The club is negotiating for ball grounds on the north side between Little Falls and Herkimer that can be reached by trolley.”
According to the Cooney Archives: …” Louis Ransom, a native of Little Falls, invented the steam street car in 1877 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The steam street car was the precursor to the electric trolley. Horses pulled the first street car for the Little Falls area in the early 1900s”
According to This day in Mohawk Valley History … “On September 6, 1901, as reported in the Gloversville Daily Leader, Fulton County, NY | “Building the Road -Work on the new electric railroad to be built between Little Falls and Herkimer, was commenced in Little Falls yesterday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the corner of East Main and Alexander Streets. The work was under the supervision of Col. Beckwith of the contracting firm of Beckwith & Quackenbush, who came down from Herkimer to supervise the organization of the workmen. The Cleveland people want the road completed as soon as possible, and it is said that all the local workmen that can be secured will be put to work. It is thought that the local supply of men will not be anywhere near equal to the demand.”
Electric trolley line
On April 11, 1902, an electrical trolley line was opened from Utica, New York to Herkimer, New York. This electric trolley line was known as the Utica & Mohawk Valley Railway. The completed electric railway line of 1903 ran between Rome, NY, and Little Falls. This electric line became part of the New York State Railways in 1912, eventually becoming part of the New York Central Railroad.
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY … “On January 27, 1903, several years ago a group of prominent Little Falls citizens formed the “Eastern Improvement Company” to develop the Burnt Rocks area of Little Falls, and lay out streets, building lots, and a route for the trolley. The lots did not sell, the trolley never materialized, and the lands were sold today under foreclosure to Mr. D. H. Burrell for $8,009.”
East Hekimer Trolley Viaduct Bridge – NYS Route 5, Herkimer, New York
The first trolley came to Little Falls on April 29, 1903, by way of the East Herkimer Trolley Bridge. The trolley bridge was built by Col. Clinton Beckwith and John V. Quackenbush, bridge builders who were partners in the Little Falls-Herkimer Railway Company, whose general office was located at Little Falls. This duo of heavy construction contractors also oversaw the build of the Little Falls division of the Utica & Mohawk Valley Railway electric line.
Electric inter-urban trolley in Little Falls
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On April 29, 1903, a gala celebration in Little Falls greeted the first of the electric inter-urban trolley to reach the city from Utica and Rome. A large crowd awaited the arrival of car number 24 and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. The Adams cannon fired salutes, chimes from St. Mary’s Chruch rang out, and the school children waved greetings. There is a half-hour service between Little Falls and Herkimer.”
April 29, 1903 First Trolley, Car No. 24, to arrive in Little Falls, New York
A trolley (streetcar) resembled a bus except that it operated on rails and had a trolley device that connected to overhead electrical wires. The trolley’s connection to the wires was a trolley retriever mechanism that could be tilted over, thus the streetcar was able to travel in the opposite direction without changing tracks just by maneuvering the trolley by the other end of the trolley car. The Little Falls Shanahan Trolley Specialty Co. manufactured the trolley retriever mechanisms that allowed the trolley to do just that.
Frank Watts was the local trolley agent at Little Falls, with an office in the Dubios Block and a trolley storage shed was on the corner of John and Ann St., about where the present-day Kelly’s Meat Market is located. A round trip by trolley to Mohawk was 25 cents, with the Mohawk Stop being about a 30-minute ride from Little Falls.
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”In 1908, the city merchants inaugurated a novel scheme to bring them more business. Beginning in November of that year, they ran a special trolley from Frankfort, through the Valley towns, to Little Falls. Passengers were given a circular book with advertisements from 38 city merchants, and with a purchase made, free transportation home was provided on the trolley.”
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On June 19, 1909, the newly completed Little Falls Country Club is located on ample lands midway between Little Falls and Herkimer. It is an attractive place easily reached at any time by highway or electric road. A great number of the city’s most prominent residents are members.”
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On January 10, 1910. Up for consideration was a proposal to build a double-track electric trolley railroad between Little Falls and Johnstown passing through Sammonsville, Ephratah, Palatine Church, and St. Johnsville. This railway would connect with the current trolley from Little Falls to Rome. The line was never built.”
Utica & Mohawk Valley Railway Company Stock Certificate
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On January 3, 1924, to safeguard coasters, motorists will be asked to stop at all intersections leading into Monroe Street. This was an exception as the commissioners decided to have the police enforce the ordinance against coasting on other city streets. Coasters are at risk of being struck by automobiles and trolley cars. It was observed that bobsleds go down East Monroe up to 40 mph.”
The demise of the trolley system came with the production of buses, which could transport larger groups of travelers more economically.
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On June 30, 1933, the last trolley leaves Little Falls at 10:52 pm, unhonored and unsung, to make the final interurban run between the city and up-valley towns. At the same time, two bus companies inaugurated service between the various communities.”
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On January 25, 1937, work has begun on removing trolley rails from city streets.”
According to the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN HISTORY …”On March 6, 2020, Al Mlinar, a resident at the Alpine Rehabilitation & Nursing Center since September 2019, celebrated his 105th birthday today with family and friends. The native of Little Falls and long-time resident, Al remembers kerosene lamps, trolley cars, walking to school, working for the CCC planting trees in Virginia, and working in a local slipper factory for 24 ½ cents per hour.”
*From The Cooney Archive’s: This Day In History by Louis W. Baum JR, Digitizing of historical photos by Gail & Mike Potter, Post compiled by Darlene Smith.
The Little Falls Historical Society’s Old Bank Building MuseumThe Little Falls Historical Society’s Old Bank Building Museum is open by appointment only for the winter season. For a FREE tour of the museum, please contact either Louis Baum @ 315-823-3527, Mary Ann Terzi @ 315-823-1502, or Jeffery Gressler @ 315-823-2799 to schedule an appointment.
Railway Express Agency employees Al Munger (on left - Al later became Little Falls fire chief) and Jimmy Fitzgerald (on right) pictured with cages of homing pigeons outside of the company office once housed in the Old Bank Building.