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Little Falls, NY

  • This day in history: December 4

    1885

    Peter J. Casler, the owner of the Grand Central Hotel, has received a summons for violating fish & game laws for using dynamite to illegally kill and remove fish from Piseco Lake. Casler denied the charges.

    1923

    Willard Levee, Jeweler and Importer, located at 562 East Main Street in Little Falls, offers Ever-Sharp pens at $1, Wahl pens at $4, and solid gold Wahl pens at up to $50 at his shop. Mr. Levee recently returned from an around the world tour visiting many gem markets.

    1980

    If the latest “unofficial” census figures are correct Little Falls  has lost 1,476 residents in the past ten years – from 7, 629 in 1970 to the current 6,153. As a whole, Herkimer County lost 1,015 people. Mayor Wind rejected the census figure for the city and will initiate a locally-conducted count.

    2007

    At a Common Council meeting, Mayor Ted Wind retired after 45 years of public service as alderman, county legislator, and long-time mayor of Little Falls.

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

    ALL EXHIBITS

    • 1912 Little Falls Textile Strike
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    1940 train wreck | Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    1940 Gulf Curve Train Wreck

    World War II Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY

    World War II and Korean Conflict Exhibit

    Little Falls Waterways

    Little Falls Music Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Little Falls Music Exhibit

    1912 Textile Strike | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY

    1912 Little Falls Textile Strike

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    littlefallshistory
    🎄🎅🏻🎄The HERKIMER HOME HISTORIC STATE S 🎄🎅🏻🎄The HERKIMER HOME HISTORIC STATE SITE will be hosting a ‘Palatines and Presents’ on Sunday, December 8th from 3-6 p.m. to take part in some 18th century Christmas festivities and chance a meeting with the Belsnickel—we hope you’ve been good! THE HERKIMER HOME | A STATE HISTORIC SITE Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer joined his father's trade and transport businesses along the Mohawk River in the late 1740s and, over time, became known in his own right as one of the wealthiest and most prominent members of the Mohawk Valley. Nicholas was newly married in 1760 when his father, Johan Jost Herkimer, had gifted him 500 acres of the 1752 Fall Hill Patent in May of that year. He had married Maria Madeline Tygert (b. 1730-d. 1775) (Dygert), who may have been known as “Lany,” the sister of Peter S. Tygert. In 1761, they moved to the property below the falls and built a log cabin, where they established a farmstead. By 1764, Nicholas was wealthy enough to finance the construction of an English Georgian-style mansion on the Mohawk flatlands overlooking the river. The manor was designed by a well-known architect from Schenectady, New York, Samuel Fuller, a fourth generation from the arrival of the May Flower. Amongst many Fuller-designed historic structures is the Fulton County Courthouse in Johnstown, which has been in active service since 1772 and is the oldest courthouse in New York State. Herkimer's mansion is known today as the Herkimer Home State Historic Site, an American relic of patriotism ... 🎄🎅🏻To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️ 🎄🎅🏻🎄We will be open for FREE TOURS for "Little Falls Holiday Festival" on December 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please make plans to stop in for a visit!!🎄Please continue to visit our Website, which can be found at: https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/
    FORT HERKIMER CHURCH | 🙏🏻🦃Please join the FORT HERKIMER CHURCH | 🙏🏻🦃Please join the 2024 Thanksgiving Day Service at the historic church on Thursday, November 28th, with services starting at 9:45 a.m. Following the service, refreshments will be served next door at the German Flatts Town Park. 🙏🏻The booklet “The History of Fort Herkimer Church,” written by Mrs. Andrew Patrick and Mrs. Raymond Klock, whose ancestors were the first European settlers of Fort Herkimer, was read to the congregation of the Fort Herkimer Church by Reverend Forest L. Decker on November 21, 1966. A portion of those written words, interspersed with additional historical facts, are as follows: “… as soon after the arrival of the German Palatine colonists from the Rhine in Germany to German Flatts, they erected log cabins to protect their families and gave thought to a place of worship, and soon a little log church stood on the site of the present Fort Herkimer Church. On September 24, 1730, Nicholas Wollaber gave a deed for a portion of lot number 30 of the 1725 Burnetsfield Patent, being an acre and 9 rods. The deed mentions the presence of a schoolhouse already on the grounds, which the settlers most likely used this building to hold their first religious services. Soon after 1740, work began on building the present rectangular native grey limestone house of worship for the valley settlers. Johan Jost Herkimer, father of Gen. Nicholas Herkimer, and Augustine Hess were prominent influences and guides on the project and major financial contributors ... 🙏🏻🦃To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️ 🙏🏻🦃Photo: The Fort Herkimer Church as a fort during the French and Indian War as drawn by Ruffus Grider | Circa 1880s | Present-day Fort Herkimer Church is located at 575 New York State Route 5S, Mohawk, NY #littlefallshistory #nyhistory #littlefallsny #mohawkvalleyhistory #nyhistoricalsociety #historicnewyork #historylovers #upstateny #thisisupstateny #herkimercountyhistory
    From the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN LITTLE FALLS From the Cooney Archives: THIS DAY IN LITTLE FALLS HISTORY ..."On November 17, 1896, the imposing monument at the homestead of General Nicholas Herkimer was formally dedicated with appropriate and interesting exercises at the cemetery and the Skinner Opera House by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York and the D.A.R. The 65-foot high obelisk, made from the finest Barre granite, was erected by the State under the direction of Hon. John Vrooman and Hon. Titus Sheard. " THE GENERAL HERKIMER MONUMENT OF 1896 The printed words found on page 199 of Nelson Greene’s book “The Old Mohawk Turnpike” on the subject of “General Herkimer Monument of 1896” are as follows: “In recognition of General Herkimer’s heroism, the Continental Congress, in 1777, appointed $500 for a monument to be erected to the brigadier's memory, but the money was never expended. (Herkimer’s grave was unadorned for 70 years) In 1847, Warren Herkimer, grandnephew of General Herkimer, son of his brother George, placed a headstone on the grave of the hero of Oriskany, this being his first monument. Through the agitation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Historical Societies and the valley chapters of the Daughters of the Revolution, the New York State Legislature appropriated $5,500 in 1895 and 1896 for a monument to General Nicholas Herkimer. The present granite obelisk, 60 feet high, and the stone wall around the burial plot were erected and dedicated in 1896 with imposing Masonic exercises ... ⚔️To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️ ⚔️Photo: Circa 1897 | Frank Vincent's Steamboat in the Mohawk River viewing the 1896 Herkimer Monument at the Historic Herkimer Home #littlefallshistory #nyhistory #littlefallsny #mohawkvalleyhistory #nyhistoricalsociety #historicnewyork #historylovers #upstateny #thisisupstateny #herkimercountyhistory
    The Little Falls Historical Museum would like to h The Little Falls Historical Museum would like to honor all US Military Veterans that have served our country and the to the US Military who are presently serving on this Veteran's Day, November 11, 2023. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” Veterans Day continues to preserve the historical significance of this date, and focuses attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and the sacrifices made for our national security. 🪖SIDE NOTE: JAMES COOK BRONNER (1890-1970) James Bronner was a prominent Little Falls attorney who had served his country during World War I. Jim graduated from Cornell University in 1914. That same year, Bronner joined his father Myron's law firm of Bronner and Ward whose offices were once located in the prestigious Burrell Building. During World War I, Bronner was an Army Major in the 24th Company, 78th Division. He was stationed at Camp Dix, New Jersey ... 🪖To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️
    From the Mat Rapacz Achives: INTER-URBAN TOLLEY From the Mat Rapacz Achives: INTER-URBAN TOLLEY LASTED 30 YEARS Another type of travel by rail through the valley didn’t last very long. The electric trolley started in Little Falls in 1903 with great fanfare, a convenient and, for awhile at least, popular way to travel between Little Falls and points west and south. Only three decades later, trolleys had become a nuisance to most people, in the way of the king of the streets and roads, namely the automobile. On Wednesday, April 29, 1903, salutes were fired by the Adams cannon, the chimes of St. Mary’s church rang out, and school children waved handkerchiefs as a token of welcome by Little Falls to the inter-urban electric trolley. Utica and Mohawk Valley Railway Company officials and city officials rode the first trolley from the west and stopped for photos and inspection by the populace. A stop was made on the concrete bridge where a photo was taken. Another stop was made at 1:19 p.m. at the power house at Small where five minutes was allowed for inspection. At 1:31 the car crossed the city line and local commercial photographers shot more photos. The car passed through John Street and a stop of about ½ hour was made on Main Street where all had the opportunity to examine the handsome car No. 24 labeled “Rome to Little Falls.” Then the trolley continued west, leaving the city at about 2:30 ... 🚎To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️ 🚎Photo: On April 29, 1903 the first Trolley, Trolley Car 24, came to Little Falls by way of the East Herkimer Trolley Bridge, built by Clinton Beckwith and John V. Quackenbush from the Little Falls-Herkimer Railway Company, whose general office was located in Little Falls. #littlefallshistory #nyhistory #littlefallsny #mohawkvalleyhistory #nyhistoricalsociety #historicnewyork #historylovers #upstateny #thisisupstateny #herkimercountyhistory
    From The Archives: CARS STILL A RELATIVE NOVELTY From The Archives: CARS STILL A RELATIVE NOVELTY AT TIME OF "SOCILBILITY" RUN Automobiles were still a relative novelty in Little Falls in 1909 when the Smith brothers, proprietors of the Richmond Hotel (later called Hotel Snyder) concocted the idea of a “Sociability” automobile run from the city to Cooperstown and back. It had been only eight years (1901) since railroad engineer John Thomas became the first Little Falls resident to own an auto, a Locomobile steamer that ran on kerosene. It was in September of that year that about 60 automobiles passed through the muddy streets of Little Falls on their way from New York City to Buffalo, America’s first long-distance auto “race.” (previous story) The Sociability Run was even less of a race, mostly a way of showing off one’s automobile, having a little fun and friendly competition, and testing reliability. The route chosen was from the Richmond Hotel to Cooperstown through Ilion, Richfield Springs and Fly Creek. A two-hour stopover at the Otesega Hotel was mandatory. The return route was on the east side of Otsego Lake, to Springfield, Little Lakes, Paines Hollow, and the stone house. Prizes for the auto nearest to a pre-selected “secret time” were an inner tube donated by garageman Charlie Ross and a 15-inch silver cup donated by the Smith brothers, mounted on an ebony base with a picture of an auto carved on it. Second prize was a silver cup donated by R.L. Anderson and Son jewelers, about 17 inches tall. The finisher furthest from the correct time received a year’s subscription to The Evening Times ... 🛞To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️ 🛞Photo: Motorcycle ride to Richfield 1915 | Gathered at 514 Albany Street, Little Falls, NY #littlefallshistory #nyhistory #littlefallsny #mohawkvalleyhistory #nyhistoricalsociety #historicnewyork #historylovers #upstateny #thisisupstateny #herkimercountyhistory
    FROM THE ARCHIVES: JUMBO ENTERTAINS LITTLE FALLS FROM THE ARCHIVES: JUMBO ENTERTAINS LITTLE FALLS On Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1882, Little Falls played host to a 12-foot tall, 6½ ton entertainer, whose reach extended 26 feet from the ground. Jumbo, the world-famous elephant, arrived by railroad as part of the “Barnum and London Moral Shows” along with 21 of his fellow pachyderms, plus animals of every shape and size for the menagerie; musicians, calliopes, circus wagons, and acrobats; and other performers and exhibits making up the traveling museum. The circus train itself was an attraction, as thousands made their way to the West Shore depot to watch the unloading of the lengthy (equivalent to 110 ordinary freight cars) circus train. The reporter for the Journal and Courier wrote “While this (the unloading) had been going on, the clergyman, the lawyer, the farmer, and all other classes of people down to the Italian stone picker who works on the West Shore road, were jostling and crowding each other in their efforts to secure the most desirable positions along the line of march, from which to view the grand parade.” After a “magnificent band” led off the parade, next came the golden-chariot cages, overflowing with animals. This was followed by “brass bands, bands of martial music, highland pipers, jubilee singers, calliopes and chimes of bells, all furnishing delightful music. The caparisoned riders, male and female, upon their beautiful horses, the teams of zebras, camels, llamas, dromedaries, and elephants, each added to the attractiveness and made the procession one not soon to be forgotten ... *St. Johnsville Native Mat Rapacz was a reporter for the Evening Times from 1995 to 2005. He has been St. Johnsville town and village historian since 2015. This story was originally publiahed in the Evening Times. 🐘To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️ #littlefallshistory #nyhistory #littlefallsny #mohawkvalleyhistory #nyhistoricalsociety #historicnewyork #historylovers #upstateny #thisisupstateny #herkimercountyhistory
    The Little Falls Historical Society would like to The Little Falls Historical Society would like to highlight the 2024 WRITING SERIES, dedicated to Edwin Vogt, by presenting Louis W. Baum, Jr.'s article "NOSTALGIA." Nostalgia – “A wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends.” Roughly translated from Greek it means “a longing to return home.” At some time in our lives, we all become somewhat nostalgic. We relive our past. We think about all the good times and shuffle the bad times to the back of our minds. Nostalgia becomes a personal emotional experience. In times of stress, nostalgia can provide a retreat, a respite, a way to feel less alone. Recent scientific studies have also shown that nostalgia can reduce chronic pain perception. Once we get to be elderly, we look back and recognize that the world, in general, is significantly different than what it was during our youthful days. It seems that technology expands exponentially. There are so many things in everyday life we take for granted because we have always had them for most, if not all, of our lives. Technical gadgets and things like automobiles, airplanes, Amazon deliveries, TV sets, radios, microwave ovens, the Internet, cell phones, and laptop computers. And then there are more mundane things such as paved streets, electric lights, a potable water supply, a sewage disposal system, shopping malls, large full-service grocery stores, and superhighways. But all these things we enjoy, and need were not always around. I think back to 1954, my senior year in high school with great clarity ... 👉🏻To continue reading this article in its entirety, please go to the link in the Little Falls History Profile: The expanded article can be found on The Little Falls Historical Society Museum's Facebook page- Enjoy‼️ Photo: Little Falls High School Class of 1954 #littlefallshistory #nyhistory #littlefallsny #mohawkvalleyhistory #nyhistoricalsociety #historicnewyork #historylovers #upstateny #thisisupstateny #herkimercountyhistory
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