Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events
This day in history: May 5
1882
The Herkimer Telephone Company is fitting up an office in the Petrie Block, at the northeast corner of Main and Second Streets. Connections will be had with Utica and there are 25 subscribers. Rates are $40 a year for business places, and $36 for residences.
1896
By a law lately enacted it is made a misdemeanor to throw tacks or broken glass in the way of bicycles. The offense has been committed in Little Falls, and if repeated it will not be well for the person who may be found guilty.
This day in history: May 6
1849
On this day, John Splan was born in Little Falls, and by the age of seven “had a fair notion of a horse.” He hung around local stables and race tracks and ran away from home at a young age. Splan became a very early pioneer in the sport of trotters and became famous throughout the country in racing circles. Many of the training techniques he developed are still in use today.
1916
Men who were engaged in work on the new Grace block on William Street came upon 500 pennies which had been stowed away in the ancient structure for many long years. Some of the pennies dated back as far as 1811 and were of the large sized variety.
This day in history: May 7
1832
An ordinance was passed to change the name Telegraph Street to Mohawk Street and President Street to Jefferson Street.
1900
Mr. and Mrs. George Sanborn, of Utica, visited Little Falls today in the locomobile, a very neat horseless carriage, of the gasoline variety. Its adaptability for climbing our steep streets was shown by a run up Church and Prospect streets.
1918
Pickpockets, operating at the Hippodrome, Gem Theatre, and other public gathering places, have met with much success in the city. Wallets, purses, and watches all have been lifted.
1971
The Little Falls Citizens’ Advisory Committee proposes that the mayor appoint the library trustees.
This day in history: May 8
1796
Mr. Bethune Dodd was appointed by the Presbytery to preach at the Octagon Church. The previous evening, he stayed at the home of John Porteous.
1895
The cannon boomed and the headlines declared “LITTLE FALLS IS A CITY AT LAST” as the New York state legislature approved the charter for the village to become a city. Objections had been made for decades by the three towns from which the city was carved, Manheim, Danube, and Little Falls, because of the loss of tax revenue.
1936
The newly formed Birgir Inc. on West Mill planned to manufacture high-grade caskets and sectional bookcases. Birgir Lundstrom heads the company.
1942
WW II Era – 9,825 sugar ration books were issued, on 10,298 applications, at the four registration centers in the elementary schools of the city.
2004
Because of declining membership, Masonic Lodge No. 181 F&AM of Little Falls will meet no more. It has merged with Lodge No. 796 of Dolgeville. At one time the local lodge had over 350 members and another 173 ladies who belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. In existence in Little Falls for over 150 years, its last meeting was in December 2003.
April 28: National Historic Marker Day
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe officers and directors of the Little Falls Historical Society marked this day by placing a new historic marker atop a previously installed marker pole at the site of the guard gate for the 1795 Western Inland Navigation Lock Canal.
April 28 National Historic Marker Day
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThis is a service-oriented event intended to bring people together to help maintain their historic markers, celebrate local history, and beautify their communities.
Little Falls Alerts in need of players
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe Little Falls Alerts, a vintage base ball team, is looking for players to continue building on the success of the past two years.
Little Falls Patriots Day Past and Present
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe Little Falls Historical Society will partner with the Yellow Church Cemetery Association to host a Patriots Day observance at their historic site beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday May 20. The rain date is Sunday May 21 at the same time. The event is free and open to the public.
2023 Writing Series Dedicated to Edward Cooney By Michael Cooney
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumEdward Cooney was City Historian for over forty years, president of the Herkimer County Historical Society, and one of the founding members of the Little Falls Historical Society.
2022 Annual Report
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumView the 2022 Little Falls Historical Society Annual report Including membership, sponsors, online activities, writing series, and more.
NYS Education Department Recognizes Black History Month
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumResources, Online, and In-Person Programming and Public Broadcasting Events Available Throughout February Across the State