Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: March 18

    1898

    An extraordinary large horse, from California, is being exhibited at the Star Academy. He is said to be about seven feet high, weighing about 2,000 pounds. Ten cents admission is charged.

    1910

    William Evans has closed his moving picture and vaudeville theatre, on Ann Street near John, known as the Royal Theatre. With the rivalry of three such places and a 10 cents admission charge, the Royal could not produce the revenue to stay open.

    1954

    H. W. Snyder, of H. P. Snyder Manufacturing Co., said that the U. S. bicycle industry was in danger from imports. Almost 600,000 bicycles were imported in 1953, about 40 times the 1949 imports.

  • This day in history: March 19

    1801

    William Alexander and Hendrick Frey, as executers of the will of John Porteus, conveyed to Alexander Ellice lots 12 and 13 of the Burnetsfield Patent. This property, on the north side of the Mohawk River, comprises most of what is now Little Falls.

    1889

    The old Church Street School has been cleared of its furniture etc. and contractors will start the work of pulling down the old structure. The bricks for the new building are on the ground.

    1902

    A bill has been signed in Albany, allowing the annexation of a part of the Town of Little Falls to the City of Little Falls.  The annexed area contains the new city reservoir.

    1903

    The old Nathaniel S. Benton property, corner of Garden and Jackson streets (current W.C.A.) was sold by Mrs. Catherine B. Gray of New York City, to Messrs. John O’Rourke and John Hurley composing the firm of O’Rourke & Hurley.

    1960

    The St. Joseph’s Society No. 53, a cultural, social, and beneficial organization of the Slovenian immigrants to Little Falls from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, celebrated their 55th anniversary with a banquet at the Slovenian Home on Danube Street.

    1961

    Amos P. Clark, an employee of the City of Little Falls for the past 54 years as custodian at the city hall, was found dead in the City Hall boiler room. Death was attributed to natural causes.

    1986

    A large mudslide from the Rollway knocked a garage at 1 West Casler Street off of its foundation. Water overflowed its normal path, saturated an embankment causing approximately 50 feet of earth and rocks to slide over a retaining wall crushing the garage.

  • This day in history: March 20

    1799

    John Porteus passed away, and his son-in-law, William Alexander, took over management of the Ellice Estate, and replaced Porteus as Postmaster.

    1832

    The Baptist church in this village, a fine stone edifice, was solemnly dedicated today. The Rev. E. Galusha delivered an appropriate discourse to the extensive congregation present.

    1854

    Henry Cheney and Silas W. LeRow moved their hammer manufacturing operation from Fly Creek to the former fulling and carding mill of William Ingham in Little Falls.

    1894

    Although open for four months, the Little Falls hospital, at 14 North Ann Street, became a legal entity, after two years of hard work on the part of a group of spirited women intent on improving the health of the community’s people. Two years later the facility moved to larger quarters at 610 Monroe Street.

    1897

    From all indications Little Falls will witness a building boom in 1897. Robert MacKinnon will build a new five story factory for knit goods. Other new construction projects planned are at the Stacy Company on John Street, Irving Snell a factory on Albany Street, improvements at the electric works, and an addition to the Barnett tannery for the manufacture of russet leather.

    1936

    According to a state study, Little Falls had one restaurant liquor license for every 218 inhabitants. Albany’s ratio was one to 422, Syracuse’s one to 462, and buffalo’s one to 465.

    1953

    Gordie Douglas, 19, signed a contract with the New York Yankees to play with the Class D Olean team. He was the first Little Falls player to sign with organized baseball since Ray Shepardson in 1924.

    1963

    One of Little Falls’ oldest established industries, the Gilbert Knitting Company, has been sold. Arthur Van der Gracht, retiring president, and Mr. Maxwell Schultz made the joint announcement. Mr. Schultz and Mr. Charles Frost, both of New York City represent the new owners. Mr. Schultz will conduct the affairs of the company as president.

    1999

    Three businesswomen from Canal Place, Gail Hammond, Jayne Ritz, and Linda Vincent, joined forces to create a “Community Heritage Garden” along the western boundary of Sterziner Park in Canal Place. Perennial plants were collected or donated by gardeners and organizations in the city for the project.

  • This day in history: March 21

    1844

    A Leap Year Ball was held at the Washington Hall which had been erected by S. W. Stinson in 1842.

    1884

    Mr. Lookin is building a hotel adjoining the West Shore Railroad station.

    1903

    The contract for erecting the Hotel Richmond was awarded to the firm of Gifford and Pierce for $75,525.

    1908

    The Knights of St. Paul basketball team, representing the Methodist Episcopal Church, proved to be one of the swiftest amateur organizations in the vicinity, and finished the season undefeated.

    1960

    Ben Schwartzwalder, coach of the 1959 Syracuse University national champion football team, spoke at 16th annual sports banquet of the Varsity Club held at the DeCarlo-Staffo Post.

    1964

    Another railroad landmark is coming down. The metal pedestrian overpass, just east of the depot, was removed. It was used comparatively little since the pedestrian subway was opened.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

LITTLE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY AWARDS TWO SCHOLARSHIPS

The 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 Historical Society Announces New Book: Beyond Our Bicentennial

The 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.

MAY 14 PATRIOTS DAY PROGRAM AT NORWAY RURAL CEMETERY

The Little Falls Historical Society and the Norway Historical Society will hold a partnered Patriots Day observance program beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday May 14 in Norway Rural Cemetery, also known as Four Wars Cemetery. 

Helen Dunteman

LITTLE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES 2022 WRITING SERIES

The officers and directors of the Little Falls Historical Society are proud to announce that their 2022 writing series will be dedicated to former Little Falls social studies teacher Helen Dunteman.

Helen Dunteman

MISS HELEN DUNTEMAN

Helen 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.