Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: March 9

    1918

    A proposal has been set forth by the New York Central Railroad to solve the grade level problems in the city. Over the years, dozens of people save been killed and scores of others have been injured by passing trains. The proposal calls for two subways, one overhead pedestrian crossing, and a motorcar overhead crossing at Third Street.

    1920

    Loomis, David, and Elizabeth Burrell gave the Nathaniel Benton house on Garden Street, and $12,000, for its renovation, to the people of Little Falls, for a W.C.A.

  • This day in history: March 10

    1876

    The members of the Little Falls Farmers’ Club met at the office of William I. Skinner for their annual meeting. The subject mainly discussed was, “Roots for feeding dairy cows, their cultivations, preservation etc.”

    1899

    Twenty-three year old Ensign Charles M. Tozer, a graduate of the Little Falls Academy and the Annapolis Naval Academy, is now a member of the United States Navy. Tozer had served on several naval vessels during the Spanish-American War, also served both in Cuba and Alaska and is now on his way to Manila to be a part of Admiral Dewey’s squadron.

    1932

    A massive fire, of mysterious origin, enveloped the Dasey block and caused extensive water and smoke damage to the big Luries department store, Dasey dry goods store, and Miss Burns’ millinery shop. Losses were estimated at $45,000. Later in the month, Luries had a “Big Fire Sale” selling its entire stock.

  • This day in history: March 11

    1930

    The Victor Adams Hose Company, No. 1 of Little Falls was the Champion Drill Squad of New York State.

  • This day in history: March 12

    1831

    The Ellice Estate sold the lot at the southwest corner of Albany and Mary streets to the Baptist Association for a new church.

    1878

    A cattle yard has been established by the railroad company near the Fifth Street crossing for the accommodation of loading and unloading sheep, swine, cows, etc.

    1886

    The bell of St. Mary’s church was badly cracked by the recent frost, which will necessitate its being recast. In consequence the sexton rings it but a little.

    1897

    A new game called “basket ball” was played in the Little Falls gymnasium.

    1920

    The Little Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Little Falls Auto Club are going to try the experiment of an auto show. The event is attracting considerable interest, and all of the space at the Y.M.C.A. has been taken for the autos and accessories.

    1922

    The first Post Office truck, an army surplus G.M.C., arrived in Little Falls today. The truck had no starter so the driver would back up a hill, and use gravity to start the truck when next used. An alternative was to never turn the truck off during business hours.

    1926

    Razing of the old New York Central repair shop west of the Ann Street crossing brought to an end in what is believed to have been the oldest building in the city. The structure was built about 1792 as a terminal on the initial canal for the Western Inland Navigation Company.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

Inter-urban trolley lasted 30 years

The 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.

Cars still a relative novelty at time of ‘Sociability’ run

Automobiles were still a relative novelty in Little Falls in 1909 when the Smith brothers, proprietors of the Richmond Hotel (later called Hotel Snyder) concocted the idea of a “Sociability” automobile run from the city to Cooperstown and back.

Little Falls High School class of 1954

Nostalgia

Nostalgia becomes a personal emotional experience. In times of stress, nostalgia can provide a retreat, a respite, a way to feel less alone.

Advertisement for Barnum's Circus -August 22, 1822

Jumbo entertains Little Falls

On Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1882, Little Falls played host to a 12-foot tall, 6½ ton entertainer, whose reach extended 26 feet from the ground.

Little Falls was basketball pioneer

When basketball was new, Little Falls (along with Herkimer) was one of its pioneering communities and had some of its better teams.

Little Falls Public Library head librarian Julia Yardley pictured on the front portico of the Old Bank Building Museum during the October 5th cheese festival.

Little Falls Public Library librarian, Julia Yardley, at the Old Bank Building Museum during the October 5th Cheese Festival.

Little Falls Public Library head librarian Julia Yardley pictured on the front portico of the Old Bank Building Museum during the October 5th Cheese Festival.

Albany Symphony Orchestra at the Old Bank Building in Little Falls.

OLD BANK BUILDING MUSEUM SITE OF ALBANY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RECORDING

Friday September 27 was a most interesting and history-making day at the Little Falls Historical Society’s Old Bank Building Museum.