Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events
This day in history: February 10
1842
The warm rains caused the ice on the Mohawk River and West Canada Creek to break up and come down the river in large masses causing significant damage to the Railroad, Canal, and buildings in Little Falls. The water was estimated to be 25 feet above low water level. One house was swept away nearly to the Fink ferry bridge.
1902
Four of the eight aldermen purposely “went on strike” and did not attend the Common Council meeting. Since business could not be conducted and bills audited, police officers were sent out by the mayor, with search warrants, to look for the absentees. They were not found. Five members are needed for a quorum.
1963
Changes continue in the Cherry- Burrell Company and its ties with Little Falls grow fewer and fewer. David H. Burrell 3rd, Edwin Fisher, and Anthony Wening resigned as directors, and representatives of the investor group which recently bought into the company were elected to succeed them.
2000
Numerous area residents had an opportunity to meet and talk with first lady and U. S. Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton at her campaign stop at the Ann Street Deli in Little Falls.
This day in history: February 11
1891
James Tappan, better known as “Hunkey” Tappan, was arrested by Officer Holmes at the polling place in Skinner Hall for being drunk, and disorderly, and for trying to vote twice. He was discharged with a reprimand.
1916
For a week or more, the water in the city reservoir was lowering six or eight inches a day. A resident noticed that Furnace Creek was unusually high, and a big break was found nearby in the dead line in Skinner Woods which was repaired.
This day in history: February 12
1916
Weber and Fields appeared at a stage show at the City Theatre.in Little Falls.
1898
Opposition has arisen to the Academy project of building a new $65,000 schoolhouse at the site of the current academy at the corner of East Main and Alexander streets. A movement has started to build the school on West Main Street with the claim that this would be more convenient for the 141 students who live in that general area, but many of them attend St. Mary’s.
This day in history: February 13
1913
Thirty year-old Zaida Zoller was appalled by the condition of the horses in a circus travelling through the area in 1912, and had the owners arrested and the horses confiscated. On this date, through her work and strong public reaction, the Herkimer County Humane Society was incorporated.
2016
Born in Little Falls, of Italian immigrant parents, John J. Riccardo, former President of Chrysler Corporation (1970-1975) and Chairman & CEO (1975-1979) died in Birmingham, Michigan. Active at LFHS, John was a World War II veteran, and graduated with degrees in economics at the University of Michigan. He quickly rose through the ranks at Chrysler.
Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace
/by Mat RapaczThe Gateway Theatre in Little Falls, later to be renamed Rialto, first opened its doors to the public on October 22, 1923.
Little Falls’ South Side in the 1930s – 1940s: A Remembrance of Time and Place
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumAs long as I can remember my father, Joe Vespasiano, loved to share his stories, and he had a lot of material.
The Little Falls Historical Society hits the ground running in 2025
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumWe are eagerly anticipating this year’s Writing Series with new historical articles that highlight life in Little Falls.
Keene, Sullivan, among those who played Little Falls
/by Mat RapaczTwo of the famous people who performed in plays in Little Falls were the noted actress Laura Keene, and John L. Sullivan, the heavyweight boxing champion.
Come and enjoy Christmas in Little Falls!
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumPlan a visit to the Little Falls Historical Society Museum on your list of fun activities during Christmas in Little Falls at the Old Bank Museum on December 14.
Garfield’s whistle stop – 1880
/by Mat RapaczIn the presidential election of 1880, — General James A. Garfield, Republican nominee for president, brought his campaign to Little Falls on August 4 with a “whistle stop” on the New York Central.
Inter-urban trolley lasted 30 years
/by Mat RapaczThe 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.