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.

This day in history: May 9

1884

Hours were set for the public library which is located in the Chronkhite opera house block.

1892

“The Jewelers Weekly” has mentioned J. H. H. Vosburgh’s remarkable collection of quartz crystals. The Little Falls man has a collection of more than 60,000 “diamonds” found within one mile of the village. This is one of the most unique and interesting collections of small crystals in the world. (Note: Mr. Vosburgh’s collection is on display at Colgate University.)

1903

The South Side Union Church, a handsome structure conceived and constructed under the practical well doing of David H. Burrell, Sr. was dedicated. The first pastor is Dr. J. L. Humphrey who returned to Little Falls from missionary work in India.

1930

In a light turnout, voters in the city approved two bonding propositions for executing public work to offset the slack industrial period and help reduce unemployment in the area. One was for paving Southern Avenue, and the second was for improvements at Church Street cemetery.

1952

Loomis Burrell, chairman of the board of Cherry-Burwell Corp., was honored by Cornell University for outstanding contributions to the dairy industry.

This day in history: May 11

1858

The village rented a building owned by McChesney & Furnan ,at the southwest corner of Albany and Second streets, for a new firehouse for Protection Engine Company #2 at a rate of $100 a year. As a result of this move, the south side of the river will have no fire protection.

1869

Governor John T. Hoffman signed the “Finck’s Bridge Bill” much to the delight of the residents and friends of the bridge living east of Little Falls.

1917

St. Mary’s Academy has a finely appointed chemistry laboratory where the students take great interest in their work under the tutelage of Dr. John Hurley a local pharmacist. Dr. Hurley, a member of the State Board of Pharmacy, is considered one of the best authorities in the State on chemical analysis.