Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: March 19

    1801

    William Alexander and Hendrick Frey, as executers of the will of John Porteus, conveyed to Alexander Ellice lots 12 and 13 of the Burnetsfield Patent. This property, on the north side of the Mohawk River, comprises most of what is now Little Falls.

    1889

    The old Church Street School has been cleared of its furniture etc. and contractors will start the work of pulling down the old structure. The bricks for the new building are on the ground.

    1902

    A bill has been signed in Albany, allowing the annexation of a part of the Town of Little Falls to the City of Little Falls.  The annexed area contains the new city reservoir.

    1903

    The old Nathaniel S. Benton property, corner of Garden and Jackson streets (current W.C.A.) was sold by Mrs. Catherine B. Gray of New York City, to Messrs. John O’Rourke and John Hurley composing the firm of O’Rourke & Hurley.

    1960

    The St. Joseph’s Society No. 53, a cultural, social, and beneficial organization of the Slovenian immigrants to Little Falls from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, celebrated their 55th anniversary with a banquet at the Slovenian Home on Danube Street.

    1961

    Amos P. Clark, an employee of the City of Little Falls for the past 54 years as custodian at the city hall, was found dead in the City Hall boiler room. Death was attributed to natural causes.

    1986

    A large mudslide from the Rollway knocked a garage at 1 West Casler Street off of its foundation. Water overflowed its normal path, saturated an embankment causing approximately 50 feet of earth and rocks to slide over a retaining wall crushing the garage.

  • This day in history: March 20

    1799

    John Porteus passed away, and his son-in-law, William Alexander, took over management of the Ellice Estate, and replaced Porteus as Postmaster.

    1832

    The Baptist church in this village, a fine stone edifice, was solemnly dedicated today. The Rev. E. Galusha delivered an appropriate discourse to the extensive congregation present.

    1854

    Henry Cheney and Silas W. LeRow moved their hammer manufacturing operation from Fly Creek to the former fulling and carding mill of William Ingham in Little Falls.

    1894

    Although open for four months, the Little Falls hospital, at 14 North Ann Street, became a legal entity, after two years of hard work on the part of a group of spirited women intent on improving the health of the community’s people. Two years later the facility moved to larger quarters at 610 Monroe Street.

    1897

    From all indications Little Falls will witness a building boom in 1897. Robert MacKinnon will build a new five story factory for knit goods. Other new construction projects planned are at the Stacy Company on John Street, Irving Snell a factory on Albany Street, improvements at the electric works, and an addition to the Barnett tannery for the manufacture of russet leather.

    1936

    According to a state study, Little Falls had one restaurant liquor license for every 218 inhabitants. Albany’s ratio was one to 422, Syracuse’s one to 462, and buffalo’s one to 465.

    1953

    Gordie Douglas, 19, signed a contract with the New York Yankees to play with the Class D Olean team. He was the first Little Falls player to sign with organized baseball since Ray Shepardson in 1924.

    1963

    One of Little Falls’ oldest established industries, the Gilbert Knitting Company, has been sold. Arthur Van der Gracht, retiring president, and Mr. Maxwell Schultz made the joint announcement. Mr. Schultz and Mr. Charles Frost, both of New York City represent the new owners. Mr. Schultz will conduct the affairs of the company as president.

    1999

    Three businesswomen from Canal Place, Gail Hammond, Jayne Ritz, and Linda Vincent, joined forces to create a “Community Heritage Garden” along the western boundary of Sterziner Park in Canal Place. Perennial plants were collected or donated by gardeners and organizations in the city for the project.

  • This day in history: March 21

    1844

    A Leap Year Ball was held at the Washington Hall which had been erected by S. W. Stinson in 1842.

    1884

    Mr. Lookin is building a hotel adjoining the West Shore Railroad station.

    1903

    The contract for erecting the Hotel Richmond was awarded to the firm of Gifford and Pierce for $75,525.

    1908

    The Knights of St. Paul basketball team, representing the Methodist Episcopal Church, proved to be one of the swiftest amateur organizations in the vicinity, and finished the season undefeated.

    1960

    Ben Schwartzwalder, coach of the 1959 Syracuse University national champion football team, spoke at 16th annual sports banquet of the Varsity Club held at the DeCarlo-Staffo Post.

    1964

    Another railroad landmark is coming down. The metal pedestrian overpass, just east of the depot, was removed. It was used comparatively little since the pedestrian subway was opened.

  • This day in history: March 22

    1832

    A strong hope was indulged that after petitioning for a bank at this place for the last ten years, and after frequent favorable reports that our wants would be gratified, but when it came to a showdown it was killed, the reason of a result so unexpected and injurious to our interest, is supposed to be the ungenerous opposition from the Village of Herkimer.

    1872

    “The man who was seen walking off with the Thermometer in front of No. 5 Keller Block, will please return it to its nail, and no questions asked.” – Newspaper advertisement by George Keller

    1987

    After being a thorn in the city’s side for the last ten years, the Allegro Shoe Company’s six story, 140,000 square foot building on South Ann Street is coming down. One of the largest shoe manufacturers in the nation, and a major employer in the city for many years, the company fell victim to cheap foreign imports. In 1974  the company moved to a smaller facility in the Little Falls Industrial Park.

    1988

    Almost half of the City of Little Falls is tax exempt. The state Board of Equalization and Assessment reported a 42.8% exempt ratio for the city, with 110 properties totally exempt; and 506 partially exempt, out of a total of 2,189 properties. Statewide the exempt ratio is 33%, and for Herkimer County 27.1%.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

Come and enjoy Christmas in Little Falls!

Plan a visit to the Little Falls Historical Society Museum on your list of fun activities during Christmas in Little Falls from December 8-10.

From left to right:  City Engineer Chet Szymanski, 2nd Ward Alderman and Common Council President Justin Welyczko, Dan Enea of Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 1st Ward Alderman Tim Lyon, Joan Vogt, 1st Ward Alderman Jonathon Shaffer, Louis Baum, Church Street Cemetery Caretaker Justin Ostasz, Patty Sklarz, David Krutz, Pat Frezza-Gressler, Jeffrey Gressler, and Pat Stock. [Photo by Sarah Rogers]

CITY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY CONTINUE EFFORTS TO RECOGNIZE AFRICAN AMERICAN BURIAL GROUND

It all began sometime in the early-2000s in the mind and heart of deceased former City Historian Edwin Vogt.

MEMORIAL SERVICE NOTICE FOR ARTHUR WITHINGTON

There will be a Memorial Service for former Little Falls native Annette (Eysaman) Withington’s husband, Arthur, on July 22, 2023, 11am, at the Cornerstone Plymouth Bethesda Church in Utica.

New York State historic marker nearby Yellow Church Cemetery.

Patriots Day at Yellow Church Cemetery

On Saturday May 20, the twelfth annual Patriots Day ceremony was held at historic Yellow Church Cemetery in Manheim. The well-attended event was co-sponsored by the Manheim Lutheran Church Association and the Little Falls Historical Society.

Hector Allen Memorial Celebration

A memorial celebration for Hector Allen will be on June 3, 2023, from noon to 6:00 PM at the H.C. Smith Benefit Club outside St. Johnsville.