Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events
This day in history: June 19
1903
Mrs. Emily E. Jones has been granted an absolute divorce from her husband, Hadley Jones, whose whereabouts are not known. Mrs. Jones, by virtue of the decree, will resume her maiden name, Mrs. Emily E. Neff.
1909
The newly completed Little Falls Country Club is located on ample lands midway between Little Falls and Herkimer. It is an attractive place easily reached at any time by highway or electric road. A great number of the city’s most prominent residents are members.
1915
Distinguished Masons from throughout the state gathered in Little Falls to dedicate the majestic, new Masonic Temple at the corner of Prospect and School streets The building was designed, after the French Medieval Period, by William Neil Smith, Masonic Grand Lodge Master Architect.
1986
The City of Little Falls was fined $1,000 by the New York State Department of Health for swimming pool violations after an investigation into the drowning of nine-year-old John DuPont in July 1985. The city was charged with “failure to maintain diatomaceous earth filters and proper operating condition,” and “failure to maintain the pool sidewall and bottom free from visible residue.”
This day in history: June 20
1866
Boys playing with matches set fire to the wooden framed St. Mary’s church, the first Catholic church building in Little Falls, which had been constructed in 1847. The loss amounted to ten thousand dollars. Services were held in Keller Hall until a new edifice could be built.
1895
The first bicycle turned out at the shop of Snyder & Fisher made its appearance on the streets of Little Falls this afternoon. It is a handsome machine capable of carrying a weight of 900 pounds.
1898
A quantity of black bass from the state hatchery were placed in the Mohawk River.
1912
The problem of sterilization of milking machines and dairy equipment was a puzzling dilemma. Loomis Burrell reached out to Cornell University in 1911 for help. They sent a young bacteriologist, Lois Watson Wing, to Little Falls and she, working with Burrell, solved the problem with a solution of chlorine and lime (Clorox.) The couple married on this date in Ithaca.
1997
An 1855 stone building on the Mohawk River in Canal Place is being rehabilitated for the Little Falls Antique Center better known as Mills at 25 West. The project, being undertaken by Alan and Linda Vincent, will house a greatly expanded antique center, executive loft apartments, and professional office space.
From the Cooney Archives
Growing Up on The Southside 1957 – 1970 by Gary T. Staffo
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumFor the past 8 years I have had the privilege of conducting a history and storytelling tour, “Growing Up on The Southside 1957 – 1970.”
It is important to understand how and why this tour started. It was to have a better understanding of why the “Southside” of Little Falls, NY has such a very special and perhaps unique place in the hearts of each and all who have had the privilege of growing up there during the “baby boomers” period, and those who followed, up until perhaps the late 1970s, when it’s aura and special ethnic qualities faded away.
Happy 70th Birthday to Little League in Little Falls
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumLittle Falls has always been a great baseball town with this year marking the 70th birthday of Little League baseball in Little Falls.
LITTLE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY AWARDS TWO SCHOLARSHIPS
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe officers and directors are proud to announce that the Historical Society worked with the Little Falls Central School District to award 2022 scholarships to two members of the Class of 2022.
Little Falls Pool Halls – Reflections on a Bygone Era
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumComing of age in the 1950s and 60s in Little Falls, New York included a number of rites of passage for the young men of that time.
Little Falls South Side in the 1970s by David P. Talaba
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumGrowing up on the South Side of Little Falls in the decade of the 70s was a wonderfully unique, cultural, and educational experience. Residents looked out for each other, fed each other, helped raise each other’s kids, and basically loved and respected each other.
Little Falls Historical Society Announces New Book: Beyond Our Bicentennial
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe officers, directors, and entire membership of the Little Falls Historical Society are proud to announce the publication and availability of their new book BEYOND OUR BICENTENNIAL.
The Lighter Side of Vietnam by Schuyler Van Horn
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumMy journey with the US Army started on June 17, 1968, the day after I graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and started looking forward to law school.