Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events
This day in history: April 3
1780
The Rheimensnyders Bush mill and settlement, located east of the yellow church, on the Salisbury Road, just north of Little Falls was burned by a party of sixty British and Indians, and many inhabitants were carried off to Canada.
1854
Little Falls had three paper mills, unfortunately all have been burned down. But Phoenix-like, they have all arisen again with new strength, beauty, and vigor. The Richmond mill is in operation, and the other two mills are nearly complete in construction.
1908
The city loses one of its most aged and interesting landmarks in the tearing down of the stone building on Main Street, once known as the McKinster Hotel. The building was recently visited by fire.
1917
A great campaign was initiated by Mayor Abram Zoller to have a branch of the American Red Cross in Little Falls. Led by many clubs and organizations, nearly 4,000 local citizens joined. The chapter was housed in the old bank building on South Ann Street after the bank’s move to new quarters in the Burrell building.
1933
As the Great Depression continues, the local taxpayers group demanded a further reduction in the city and school budgets, claiming homeowners can no longer afford current taxes. It was suggested that there be larger cuts for higher salaried municipal employees. There were heated verbal exchanges throughout the meeting. The city fathers approved the budgets.
This day in history: April 4
1793
Before the Octagon Church was built, an agreement was drawn up stating that preaching was to be in German and English on alternating Sundays, and pews were to be sold to the highest bidders.
1833
Lawyer Arphaxed Loomis advertised water rights for sale. About this time the Mill Street raceway was built that supplied power to many industries along the river.
1904
Titus Sheard, an industrial leader in Little Falls during the Gay Nineties, passed away today.
From the Cooney Archives
Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace
/by Mat RapaczThe Gateway Theatre in Little Falls, later to be renamed Rialto, first opened its doors to the public on October 22, 1923.
Little Falls’ South Side in the 1930s – 1940s: A Remembrance of Time and Place
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumAs long as I can remember my father, Joe Vespasiano, loved to share his stories, and he had a lot of material.
The Little Falls Historical Society hits the ground running in 2025
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumWe are eagerly anticipating this year’s Writing Series with new historical articles that highlight life in Little Falls.
Keene, Sullivan, among those who played Little Falls
/by Mat RapaczTwo of the famous people who performed in plays in Little Falls were the noted actress Laura Keene, and John L. Sullivan, the heavyweight boxing champion.
Come and enjoy Christmas in Little Falls!
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumPlan a visit to the Little Falls Historical Society Museum on your list of fun activities during Christmas in Little Falls at the Old Bank Museum on December 14.
Garfield’s whistle stop – 1880
/by Mat RapaczIn the presidential election of 1880, — General James A. Garfield, Republican nominee for president, brought his campaign to Little Falls on August 4 with a “whistle stop” on the New York Central.
Inter-urban trolley lasted 30 years
/by Mat RapaczThe electric trolley started in Little Falls in 1903 with great fanfare, a convenient and, for awhile at least, popular way to travel between Little Falls and points west and south.