This day in history: June 17

1890

Under the name “Talaquega Tribe,” a branch of the Improved Order of Red Men was organized in this village with 39 charter members. Its name is taken from an old Indian name in this locality.

1902

The Interstate Telephone Co. reported that there were 340 telephones in use in Little Falls with the number growing.

1910

“The City Theatre” is the name which Reardon & Shults have decided that Skinner Opera House will be hereafter known. 

This day in history: June 18

1844

A ratification meeting was held at Washington Hall on South Ann Street for James K. Polk and George Dallas. Polk was to be elected as the eleventh president of the United States, and during his term of office the territory of the country expanded significantly with the annexation of the Republic of Texas, the Oregon Territory, and the Mexican Cession.

1887

A blast on Moss Island threw a rock weighing 9 ½ lbs. across the river and through the roof of the E. B. Waite’s paper mill. The rock struck with such force as to break a 3 x 6 rafter in the roof.

1890

Between fifteen hundred and two thousand people gathered at Eastern Park to enjoy the first band concert of the season. The band played a number of selections in first-class style.

1895

A private driveway has been made through the Lansing property, which connects Church and Lansing streets.

1896

The steamboat, Titus Sheard, with sixteen aboard, left Little Falls at 1:20 PM for the short voyage to Taylor Driving Park with Van Buren Young at the helm. As it neared the park, the steam engine exploded killing Young and ten others. Heroic efforts by park patrons saved five others including Miss Rhonda Warren who graduated from the local high school later that week.

1923

Photographs of Little Falls were taken from the air by the Fairchild Aerial Corporation if New York as the machine circled twice around the city. The photos will be used for marketing purposes.

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.