Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events
This day in history: September 21
1900
The new industrial building erected by D. H. Burrell & Co., facing on Ann Street, is nearly ready for use. It is the company’s intention to improve the adjacent Albany Street property so all company business will be located in one area.
1903
After much discussion and arguing, the Common Council passed a proposition increasing the speed limit of trollies running through Little Falls from five to ten miles per hour.
1921
An old human skeleton was found under a King Street house while workers were excavating for a sewer line. Five coins found in the soil give an approximate date which coincides with the disappearance of a man who had been thought to have left the area according to Chief James Long.
1938
Many hundreds of autos participated in the cavalcade celebrating the opening of the Gorge View highway. State and local officials gave felicitous talks on why it was necessary to carve out the new road, and eliminate the need of passing under the notorious Gulf Bridge.
1942
WW II Era – The first fatal accident occurred on the George View Highway when a milk tanker tipped over in the small park at East Main and Hancock Streets killing an Ogdensburg man.
This day in history: September 22
1834
Richard Ray Ward gave the property for the Church Street Cemetery to the village.
1863
The Farmer’s Club of Little Falls will hold their Sixth Annual Fair one mile west of Little Falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. All animals on exhibition will be shown to the proper judges who will award ribbons and monetary prizes to the winners.
1896
The title of “Union School and Academy” will be changed to “Little Falls High School” by the Board of Regents who passed an ordinance changing the names of all public secondary schools to High School. A large delegation of local students will be attending college or normal schools including Williams, Yale, Columbia, Vassar, Oberlin, and Albany, Oswego, Brockport & Genesco Normal Schools.
This day in history: September 23
1889
The new schoolhouse on Church Street was put into use today. For the past few days the building has received scores of visitors every day, many of whom were little girls who expect to attend school in the new structure.
1988
With the snip of a ribbon and a ride on a bicycle, Senator James Donovan and local resident, James Miller dedicated the new bicycle trail that runs from Railroad Street in the city to Fink’s Basin. Christened the “James Miller Miracle Mile and a Half,” the trail stretches for 1.3 miles along the bed of the abandoned West Shore Railroad tracks. Miller had lobbied for nine years to have the trail built.
This day in history: September 24
1909
There have been three shootings on the south side in the past five days including two murders. The latest was the slaying of John Fuda, who was lured to a lonely spot on German Street (Flint Avenue) and shot in the back of the head. He was last seen walking with two strangers, reportedly from Utica.
1933
Rev. Anthony Spina, organizer and beloved first pastor of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic parish in Little Falls, has been transferred to Schenectady. Father Spina has been in the city for nearly eleven years and founded the Italian congregation here as well as being active in civic affairs.
1972
Approximately 400 of St. Mary’s parishioners and friends assembled for the dedication of the new multi-purpose auditorium-gymnasium that had been erected at the rear of St. Mary’s Academy. Most Rev. Edwin B. Broderick, bishop of Albany was present to bless the building. Rev. Joseph F. Barker was present as pastor. John B. McGuire was toastmaster.
From the Cooney Archives
The Old Bank Building Survives and Thrives by Pat Frezza-Gressler
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe wisdom of historic preservation has not always been a given. The desire by some to preserve old buildings and places is at times pitted against those who would rather “start over” with new construction.
Palatine Germans in Search of a Land to Call Home by Ginny Rogers
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumJanuary 17, 2022 marks the 300th anniversary of the Burnetsfield Patent.
The earliest European settlers in the Mohawk Valley came from what is now southwest Germany. Under near constant threat of destruction, whether from multiple wars, invasions, or the plague, in the near hundred years leading up to the 18th century, the southwest German population experienced extreme hardship.
MISS HELEN DUNTEMAN
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumHelen Dunteman was a highly respected social studies teacher in the Little Falls school district for many years, retiring in 1962. Helen was both a lifelong Little Falls resident and a graduate of Oneonta State Normal School. She passed away in 1984.
Growing up on the South Side from the early 1950’s through the late 1960’s By Donald F. Staffo
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumIn the 1950s and 1960s, Little Falls was a bustling blue-collar mill town of about 9,000 people with many hard-working citizens employed in its numerous factories. Most of the factories were on Mill Street which ran parallel to the railroad tracks on the southern side with a few factories on the other side of the tracks. My parents, and most of the parents of my friends, worked in the mills. None wore a tie to work.
A Pizza Story by James Papaleo
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumIf you lived in Little Falls in the late-1950s through early-1980s I bet you ate at least one slice of Papaleo’s pizza or one of the delicious hoagies (subs) that came out of the family restaurant owned by my parents Anthony (Tony) and Grayce Papaleo.
Even today, 40 years after the restaurant closed, people still tell me and my sisters how our Dad’s pizza and hoagies were the best they have ever eaten. I might be biased, but I agree because I have never found another pizza or hoagie like Dad’s.
South Side Cigar Stores by Gary Staffo
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThis article came about as part of the research started for the Southside Veteran’s Recognition Project, which was displayed during the September 2013 Southside Reunion. It covers the period from the 1930s through the mid-1970s and the role three Southside cigar stores played in the lives of the young men who grew up hanging out around them.
Industrialization in Little Falls, New York, 1790-1960
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe Little Falls Historical Society much appreciates the opportunity to work with the SUNY Oneonta’s Cooperstown Graduate Program of Museum Studies. Some background history about Little Falls will add perspective.