Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: May 23

    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.

  • This day in history: May 24

    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.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

HISTORICAL SOCIETY DUES HELP FINANCE SIGNS AND HISTORIC MARKERS – PART I OF 2

The official dedication ceremony for the Little Falls Historic Entry’s historic markers and related signage along East Main Street will take place sometime in early June.

Herkimer Home State Historic Site

PATRIOTS DAY EVENT SATURDAY, MAY 24 AT HERKIMER HOME

The Herkimer Home State Historic Site and the Little Falls Historical Society will co-host a Patriots Day event at Herkimer Home beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 24.

Gettysburg Address monument located in Ward Square

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, LITTLE FALLS AND BEYOND

2025 marks both the 165th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election to the presidency and the 160th anniversary of his April 15th, 1865 assassination.

Dwight James Baum: The World’s Most Famous Architect from Little Falls

My grandfather, Dwight James Baum, is undoubtedly Little Falls’ most-famous architect ever and one of its most-famous sons. 

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

Rialto memories

When preparing to write this article, I asked readers for their memories of the Rialto and received the following replies.

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

The Gateway Theatre in Little Falls, later to be renamed Rialto, first opened its doors to the public on October 22, 1923.

Old-time southsiders Father Dan Lanza and Joe Vespasiano at 2019 South Side Reunion

Little Falls’ South Side in the 1930s – 1940s: A Remembrance of Time and Place

As long as I can remember my father, Joe Vespasiano, loved to share his stories, and he had a lot of material.