This day in history: April 30

1725

The Burnetsfield Patent, confirming the “Indian Deed,” was instituted, granting lands to 94 persons representing 38 families. The land covered 9,400 acres purchased from the Mohawks in 1722. Each patentee received 100 acres, each with some frontage on the Mohawk River from the little falls westward.

The land grants on the north side of the Mohawk River near the little falls were: Lot #10 – Augustus Hess, Lot #11 – Mary Beerman (Bierman), Lot # 12 – Johan Jost Temouth (Demuth), Lot #13  – Mary Eva Staring (Stahring.) Many deeds refer back to these lot numbers. The first lot, #13, ran from the falls at the Burrows paper mill to a line just west of the Allegro mill, then north to about Monroe Street.

1889

At 9 o’clock this morning all the church bells in Little Falls, and those throughout the nation, shall ring to celebrate the event 100 years ago when all the bells in the original thirteen states rang out to call the people together to pray for the success and prosperity of the country during the inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States.

1917

After eighty four years of service to the community, the National Herkimer County Bank was liquidated and then reopened today, in the new Burrell Building as the Herkimer County Trust Company. The new status gives the bank all the services which would be beneficial to all.

1921

A fire practically destroyed the old Evans Hotel at the northwest corner of John and Ann Streets. Built over 100 years ago, it was at this point that the overland mail stages changed their horses before the building of the railroad. Recently, it was a furniture store.

1943

WW II Era – Air raid wardens from sector 2W voted to build a picket fence around the obelisk in Eastern Park that was the city’s honor roll. Names of 250 more servicemen and women were to be added, bringing the total to about 1,500.

This day in history: May 1

1846

S. F. Bennet, begs leave to inform the citizens of Little Falls and vicinity, that he is now receiving a very extensive stock of Books and Stationary, cheap Literature, Toys and Fancy Goods, Looking Glasses, Hard Ware, Woolen Ware, and every description of Groceries, Fruit, &c. which he offers for sale at greatly reduced prices for ready pay.

1877

Rollin Smith requested permission to build a bandstand in Eastern Park and collected the funds necessary for the construction. It was  completed in time for the Memorial Day dedication of the Soldiers’ Monument in the park by the G.A.R.

1886

The control of the Police and Fire Departments passed from the Trustees to a commission named Board of Fire and Police consisting of the Mayor and four Commissioners, but the Mayor has no vote.

1893

A large crowd of people gathered at the Central railroad station to see the fac simile of the original “Dewitt Clinton” locomotive and the first coaches drawn by it over the Albany & Schenectady Railroad.

1900

H. P. Snyder Manufacturing completed a shipment of 500 bicycles to a firm in Wolverhamton, England. Since December 1899, the company has produced 11,953 bicycles, the largest number ever turned out in a similar length of time.

Edward Cooney was appointed Little Falls’ first paid fire chief, a position he held for 47 years. During his tenure, he oversaw the transition from horse- drawn to motor-driven apparatus.

 1916

The Stacey  Company Cheese ceased operations when the executives foresaw the decline of Herkimer County as the center of the cheese trade, and the building space was taken over by the Little Falls Felt Shoe Company which had been founded in 1905. Irving E. Stacey is president of both companies.

1946

City Historian, Edward J. Cooney Jr. completed reviewing records and interviewing Little Falls participants in World War Ii. He totaled 1688 men and 69 women, and could not find records for another 11. 363 were married before entering the service, another 256 after joining up.

1967

The A&P grocery stores are discontinuing the distribution, begun in 1961, of Plaid Trading Stamps.

This day in history: May 2

1892

A freight train of the Central composed of 135 cars passed through Little Falls. It was probably the longest train ever drawn by one engine, being over a mile in length.

 1897

A council of the Knights of Columbus was organized in the old Gymnasium Hall in the McCaley Building in Little Falls. The society has grown greatly in favor among the Catholic people of the area and has a very large membership. 61 candidates were initiated the Major Degree of the Order by Judge John J. Delaney of New York City.

1913

Health Officer Dr. A.B. Santry reported that the small-pox epidemic in Little Falls has ended. Sixty cases were placed under strict quarantine, and guards were on a vigorous watch at each house so others might not be exposed. The epidemic has cost Little Falls more than the textile strike.

2002

Alan N. Vincent of Little Falls was confirmed as a member of the recently established Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The commission’s charter is designed to enhance tourism, education, recreation, and economic development along the more than 500 mile waterway corridor.

This day in history: May 3

1832

A collection of animals were exhibited at the Eagle Tavern, consisting of an elephant, African lions, tiger, cerval, cougar, panther, camel, apes, etc. A pretentious menagerie was viewed with keen interest by people from all around the neighborhood.

1834

The Angenvine Natural History Museum was on exhibition in the Public Square (Western Park) in tents set up for the occasion. The show travelled by boat. This was believed to be the first “circus” to visit Little Falls.

1895

A chance is now given Little Falls people to stop paying the heavy royalties on Bell telephones that they have kicking about for years. All they need to do is to stick by the new Interstate Company, and this will be possible.

1932

Chief of Police James Long has returned from Colorado, bringing with him John N. Blair of the town of Little Falls, who is wanted for deserting his wife. He located Blair on a sheep ranch, and arrested him with a warrant charging him for non-support.

1974

Felix Frederiksen , Little Falls native and son of the famous cheese expert Johan Frederiksen,  died at age 81. Encouraged by his father, he started a cheese-making business in the city on East Monroe Street, and eventually moved to Minnesota where he became the first to commercially produce blue cheese.

2013

Demolition continued on a large part of Shopper’s Square to make room for a new 30,500 square foot Price Chopper supermarket. The grocery store will be built on the western end of the site, while the eastern end will undergo renovations. The total cost of the project is $6,459,149.