Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events
This day in history: October 25
1878
A large ice house, with a capacity for holding 5,000 tons, is being built on the south side flats. The ice will be forwarded to city markets during the hot weather.
1902
The city breathed a sigh of relief after police, acting on a complaint, removed a box containing 50 pounds the high-powered variety of dynamite in the cellar of a home on Whited Street. The explosives had been stored there since the building of the Little Falls-Dolgeville railroad several years ago.
This day in history: October 26
1837
The Hinman’s Cave (Hole), situated about one mile north of the village, was explored extensively by students from the Fairfield Academy. Using ropes they descended 100 feet from the surface. There was one room of importance being between 30 and 40 feet wide with dripping water.
1909
The new temple of the International Organization of Odd Fellows, on South William Street, is an ornament and enterprise of the local lodge. The front of the building is an especially fine piece of architecture and is admired by all beholders.
1964
Traffic moved for the first time over the South Side Arterial and bridge over the Mohawk River and Barge canal. There were no ceremonies. At the same time, the old lift bridge, between Mohawk Street and Flint Avenue, was closed, and workmen shortly will start removing it.
This day in history: October 27
1882
Xerxes A. Willard, the man responsible in making Little Falls the “cheese capitol of the nation,” has died. He abandoned law as a career, became a farmer and was editor of the Herkimer County Journal, as well being an author on various phases of cheese making which became standards in the industry. He developed the method for establishing cheese prices and transmitting that information instantly across the country.
1887
Improvements in providing water power for running the large number of factories along the Mohawk River have been completed at a cost of about $60,000. Water is now running in the new raceways.
1894
A train bearing Governor McKinley, the famous Ohio statesman and champion of Protection, and future U.S. president,will stop in Little Falls today. McKinley will deliver an address in Clinton Park adjacent to the railway depot.
1910
Col. Theodore Roosevelt is to speak at the City Theatre in Little Falls today. He will be met at the train station by the local Military Band and escorted to the theatre to discuss the issues of the present campaign before a large crowd.
1971
There is opposition to the proposal for a county airport on Gun Club Road just west of Little Falls. Proponents state the airport is a necessary tool for economic development, while the opponents indicate the “luxury facility” caters to private plane owners with taxpayers footing the bill. The airport was never built.
This day in history: October 28
1952
ELECTION EVE :”LIGHTS ON – VOTES OUT” PARADE
The “40 & 8” Steam Engine and Box Car …Shooting off a small cannon …The Knights of Columbus had a float also!…VFW -Decarlo Staffo Post -American Legion -Masons -Elks – Moose – all in decorated cars. Then along came the new autos carrying the Motor Corps and City Officials!
From the Cooney Archives
Late 19th century map of Moreland (Park).
Just Ducky, He Cooled Her Off
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumHISTORICAL SOCIETY HOSTS NYS CANAL SOCIETY VISIT
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumAfter weeks of planning, the Little Falls Historical Society welcomed and hosted the NYS Canal Society for a two-day visit.
County Historian Writes: “Iron Horses” Made First Trip Through Little Falls in August 1836
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumFrom the Herkimer County Historian – The New York Central Railroad was like a tree with roots in the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, and a trunk extending westward to Chicago and St. Louis.
THE ALEXANDER–SNYDER HOME
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumImagine North Ann Street during the early nineteenth century, when Little Falls was beginning to expand beyond its earliest settlement.
HORACE BURCH – FORD TRASK HOME
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumImagine walking along North Ann Street during the first half of the nineteenth century, when Little Falls was growing beyond its earlier canal settlement and substantial brick residences were beginning to appear along the village streets.
THE HERMIT OF BURWELL HILL POSTHUMOUS
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumTwo known pieces of Frances Ledyard Haun published literature were: “Auld Lang Syne”, a short story with the main character being Dudley Burwell, known as the Hermit of Burwell Hill.
THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumImagine Church Street in the closing years of the eighteenth century, when Little Falls was still a small settlement surrounded by rugged terrain, scattered homes, mills, and unpaved roads.