Aug. 1st
1836
Regular passenger train service on a single track of the Schenectady – Utica division of the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad was inaugurated in Little Falls and the Mohawk Valley. Construction and freight trains had been running for some time. The first Mohawk & Hudson train ran from Albany to Schenectady on August 9, 1831.
1933
A major milk strike flares throughout the county with disorder in Little Falls. About one half the normal supply of milk was received at the local processing plants. Clubs were brandished freely by the strikers, and Chief Long and his men endeavored to keep access to the plants open.
Aug. 3rd
1643
Father Isaac Jogues, a French Jesuit priest stationed in Quebec, was captured by the Mohawk Indians on August 3, 1642, and held prisoner for thirteen months during which time he was cruelly tortured. Sometime during his imprisonment, he was taken to the western Iroquois tribes, passing by the little falls, possibly detouring over Fall Hill to avoid the rapids.
1858
The General Herkimer Company #3 took over the old the old German Street (Flint Avenue) engine house as an independent company. The company was admitted to the village fire department in 1860.
1985
Farmers’ Market held each Saturday in the parking lot of the Herkimer County Trust Company, along Albany Street, continues to draw a goodly number of vendors and customers.
Aug. 5th
1897
The first motor car went through Little Falls today on its way from the factory in Cleveland to New York City. The first local person to own a car was John G. Thomas who acquired a Locomobile, which ran on Kerosene, in 1901 – the first auto accident occurred during 1902. Mrs. D. H. Burrell, Jr. was the first woman driver.
Aug. 6th
1781
A war party of Indians, accompanied by the loyalist MacDonald, struck the Shell settlement northwest of Little Falls. John Christian Shell defended his blockhouse, but two young boys were captured and taken to Canada.
1867
The cornerstone for the new, brick St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church on Alexander Street was laid in the presence of a very large assembly. An open air mass was celebrated in a rustic chapel built for the occasion.
Aug. 7th
1868
Handsome iron drinking fountains, arranged to accommodate man and beast, including cats and dogs, have been placed at the junction of Albany and East Main streets and the western and eastern ends of Western Avenue (West Main Street.) The spout is in the shape of a large frog from whose mouth the water flows to the tank.
Aug. 8th
1869
The new brick St. Mary’s church on Petrie Street was dedicated by Bishop Lynch, with an open air Mass. Within a few years, the church was condemned as being structurally unsound and had to be abandoned. The bricks were used to build homes along Petrie and Alexander Streets.
1906
Balloonist, Professor William Johnson, met his death before a large crowd while making a balloon ascent and parachute jump at the Little Falls fair. His first parachute opened, the second did not, and Johnson landed on wires along the Central railroad just west of the gulf bridge. He died in the Little Falls hospital.
1949
A total of 859 children are registered in the Little Falls summer playgrounds, Director Ann Pocentyluk (Martyniuk) reported.
1961
The opening of the new swimming pool near the Monroe Street field was a big splash as about 400 swimmers, mostly children, were on hand for the first dip. The evening crowd was almost as large as that during the afternoon.
Aug. 9th
1831
The first Mohawk & Hudson train ran from Albany to Schenectady.
2014
Live Shakespeare returns to Little Falls with the Little Falls Theater Company’s (“LiFT”) production of “Twelfth Night” during the 27th annual Canal Celebration. Under the guidance of director and performer Matt Powers, performances will be held at both Benton’s Landing and Sterzinar Park.
Aug. 10th
1755
A letter from William Shirley, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, directed Captain Marcus Petri to proceed from the little falls to the “Canoeing Place” from the Mohawk River to the Wood Creek. Petri was to defend the area from incursion of French & Indian forces.
1876
Six hundred people left Little Falls and Valley towns, by train, on a grand excursion to the Thousand Islands under the auspices of the Gen. Z. C. Priest Steamer Co. Upon arrival in Clayton, the party will leave immediately on the splendid new steamer, “T. S. Faxion” which has been specially chartered for the excursion on the St. Lawrence River.
1933
The whole town seemed congregated on Ann Street in front of the Rialto Theater, anxious to find out who would be the winner of a new automobile given away by local merchants. Mayor Santry, master of ceremonies, presented the auto to Elizabeth Kling of West Main Street.
1996
During the annual Canal Days celebration, an estimated 1,500 people toured the newly rebuilt and renovated Benton Hall Academy. A large number of them were former students and senior citizens. They were impressed by its architectural beauty and sensed its historical significance.
Aug. 12th
1847
The new Benton House has opened (later Girvan House) to the public under the directorship of Mr. Giles Orcutt of Binghamton. It is pleasantly situated at the corner of Main and Ann streets, a short distance from the Rail Road Depot and the Packet boat landing.
1870
A man named Donaldson walked a tight rope suspended across from the Petrie building to the Loomis building, in a bag and blindfolded.
1884
Work on the Little Falls Roller Skating Rink at the corner of Main and John streets is to be commenced this week at a cost of $4,000. The skating floor will be 49 by 128 feet – all appointments to be first class.
1886
The last shipment of starch was made from the Gilbert’s factory ending many years as the village’s leading industry. The raw material had been unloaded to the large storage building on the Erie Canal and conveyorized across Seeley Island to the factory on the Mohawk River for processing. The building will be converted to a knitting mill under the direction of J. J. Gilbert.
1895
Manager Tittle of Camp Jolly launched the new barge “City of Little Falls” to be used to transport up to 500 passengers to the campgrounds a few miles east of the city. The double-decker is 55 feet long and 14 feet wide and will be lashed to the “Victor Adams” which can accommodate an additional 200 people. There is room on the barge for dancing.
1922
“Kite Day” will be introduced to hundreds of Little Falls kiddies, under the age of 12, when they have the opportunity to make a kite and flying it the highest altitude in a contest under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A.
1930
Dan Vickers (later Dr. Dan Vickers), son of Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Vickers, and Wells Davy, both of Little Falls, made their first solo flights at Seymour field near Little Falls. They are members of the Little Falls Flying Club where nine other members are learning to fly.
1967
The Eastern Herkimer County Industries Inc. has purchased 24 ½ acres of land from the New York Central Railroad Company. This land, between the railroad tracks and the Mohawk River, comprises the Riverside Industrial Park. The city recently received $280,000 from the United States Department of Commerce to develop the Riverside tract.
2016
Stephen “Pitt the Painter” Nicholas won the blue ribbon at the first Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts regional art show. ”Pitt” made his living as a sign painter, and was skilled in eglomise or reverse painting on glass. He is most known for his painting of “The Man on the Bateau,” an image seen throughout Little Falls.
Aug. 13th
1976
Bicentennial celebration ceremonies continued throughout Little Falls with a Liberty Tree observance (planting of a pine oak tree at Bellamy Park purchased by LFHS students,) and a Proud Heritage Day program at St. Mary’s Hall.
Aug. 14th
1876
Nelson Rust passed away today. In 1831, Rust took over the tannery established by Eben Britton on the site of the Rialto Theatre on North Ann Street. In 1844 he moved it to East Mill Street. Rust also ran a leather goods store on Second Street and served as village president in 1851. The tannery was sold to J.J. Gilbert and William Weeks in 1874, who in turn sold the tannery to J.S. Barnet & Brothers in 1885.
1884
The Protection Fire Company held an excursion to Catskill for two dollars, round trip. Two trains took 2,560 people to Albany, then by boat to Catskill. The revelers returned to Little Falls at 4:00 am the next morning – tired and happy? Before the Motor Age, recreation was of a group nature rather than the individual system.
1896
James Riley has erected a large dancing pavilion on the vacant lot at the corner of German (Flint Avenue) and Jefferson streets, opposite his hotel. The opening party will be held tonight when the Pelican Club will give the first of a series of dances.
1912
The survivors of the 121st Regiment of the Grand Army of the Republic and their wives, visited the Southern battlefield.
1914
Miss Helen T. Hooley, the first woman lawyer in this area, passed away today at her home in Little Falls. Born in this city, a graduate of Little Falls High School and later Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, Miss Hooley spent her whole life here. She was admitted to the bar in 1903, and was appointed to several terms as clerk of the Surrogate’s Court.
1945
WW II Era – In a spontaneous demonstration, wildly whooping crowds swept the city and cheered the news of the end of World War II. The celebration almost defied imagination, as the three years and eight months of struggle ended in victory. Crowds were gay and loud and orderly – grills did a big business.
1976
The Little Falls Little Leaguers defeated Williamsville-Buffalo 5-4 in the semifinals, but lost to Staten Island 4-0 in the finals of the New York State Little League Championship. The same group of boys won the high school state baseball championship in 1982.
1987
The inaugural Little Falls Canal Celebration started today. Former resident and businessman, Al Lovenheim, conceived of the idea as a way to replace the always-popular and well-attended St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s parish celebrations. Jayne Ritz is given credit for the name, to distinguish Little Falls from other communities having canal days or canal festivals.
Aug. 16th
1777
At his home just east of Little Falls, General Nicholas Herkimer died of his wounds suffered at the Battle of Oriskany on August 6, 1777. He had led the Tryon County militia to relieve the siege of Fort Stanwix (Schuyler) when his forces were ambushed by British troops, Royalists, and Indians in a battle deemed by many as the “bloodiest battle” of the Revolutionary War.
2015
A monument was dedicated at the old “Colored Burial Ground” in the Church Street Cemetery by the Little Falls Historical Society as a tribute to the recently deceased city historian, Edwin Vogt, who had conceived the idea.
Aug. 17th
1880
Dr. Perkins and geologist Hall explored the “Hinman Hole” off of West Monroe Street near the cities boundary, and announced their findings. The cave opening is 394 feet above the Mohawk River, is 70 feet deep, and the surface area of the floor is 100 square feet.
1917
The Red Cross is having their duck sale this evening at the corner of Main and Second Streets.
Aug. 18th
1741
The islands in the Mohawk River at the little falls were granted to Peter Winne. Winne’s ancestors were from Flanders (Belgium) and settled in the mid and upper Hudson River valley. They bought islands in the Hudson River south of Fort Orange (Albany.)
1882
A young man was sent by Police Justice Dasey to Albany penitentiary for 60 days for stealing tomatoes from Kane Brothers grocery store.
1932
Three dry agents from Utica raided the Globe Hotel on West John Street and confiscated 68 cases of home brew. The contents were dumped down the sink and the bottles broken on the floor. A large crowd gathered during the festivities.
1982
An article in the Evening Times mentions that the original George L. Smith bequest was $143,000 with a 1979 value of $1,500,000. The trust department of the Herkimer County Trust Company manages the estate.
Aug. 19th
1953
Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding at a banquet at the Mohawk Valley Country Club attended by 190 persons. Company chairman Johannes Hansen, accompanied by his wife, came over from Copenhagen, Denmark to deliver the principal address at the affair.
Aug. 22nd
1882
Barnum & London Shows rolled into Little Falls featuring “Jumbo” the massive elephant, 3 circuses in 3 rings, 2 enormous menageries, and the 7 largest shows on Earth. The shows were viewed in two huge tents.
1893
The steam launch, formerly called “Victor Adams,” was set afloat on the river off Moss Island under the new name of “The Hadley Jones.” The boat will seat twelve persons and will run between Moss Island and Five Mile dam, for pleasure parties.
1896
Local liquor dealers had one of the most jolly outings, enjoying a day of royal sport at their clambake at Camp Jolly. On a day of perfect weather, everyone sang, drank, danced, drank, ate, drank and entered heartily into the sports.
1911
Harry Atwood flew the first airplane, a Wright Biplane, over the Mohawk Valley, passing a little to the south of Little Falls, on his famous flight from St. Louis to New York City. The distance of 1265 miles was covered in 28 hours and 31 minutes.
Aug. 24th
1833
Business commenced at the Herkimer County National Bank on this Saturday morning. Dudley Burwell took the contents home, deposited them under his bed without a pistol or club near them.
1932
Miss Mary Clark won the popularity contest at the Rialto Theatre, sponsored by local merchants, and was given a free trip to Bermuda in October. She was crowned by Mayor Santry as “Miss Little Falls.” Allowed to take a friend, she chose Miss Coletta McLaughlin.
1963
The city of Little Falls has an official flag. It was designed through the cooperation of Acting City Engineer John Gallagher, Mrs. Mary Louise Cooney, and Architect Charles Maltby. The flag features a “Little Falls” diamond, and the wording “City of Little Falls, New York,” “Est. 1811,” and “Inc. 1895.”
1968
The new lookout on the Little Falls – Dolgeville highway has been completed. The beautiful Mohawk Valley is viewed showing the river, canal, NYCRR, highways, and rolling hills.
2009
A vital city resource has been returned to the Little Falls community with the early August reopening of the Francis Skinner Municipal Swimming Pool. The revitalization project was achieved through the efforts of the City DPW, city government, local businessmen and factory owners, area contractors, and many, many dedicated volunteers.
Aug. 25th
1874
Mr. Henry Cheney, founder of the Cheney Hammer Company in Little Falls, has bought the local axe factory lately owned by Mr. Barry Van Vechten.
Aug. 26th
1896
William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic nominee for the presidency, stopped briefly in Little Falls at 10:40 at night to the cheers of a great concourse of people. The crowds pushed, surged, and rushed toward the rear platform, and the ovations were so loud and sustained Bryan, the “boy orator,” was unable to give a speech. He smiled and bowed as the train left the city.
Aug. 27th
1837
A robber detached the “baggage wagon” from an eastbound train a short distance east of Little Falls. It was discovered missing a few minutes later, and the train slowly backed up to the village. Two railroad hands surprised the robber going through the mail and belongings, subdued him, and promptly “closed” the case.
1957
Restante’s Dairy advertised milk at 23 cents a quart for home delivery, and 21 cents a quart at their dairy bar on Flint Avenue. A special price of 6 quarts for $1.15. They asked that bottles be returned daily.
2015
Twelve opera singers from Mexico, studying in Little Falls, presented a “Voices of Mexico” concert at Benton Hall Academy under the direction of Mathieu Guertin. They were accompanied by international pianist Vlad Iftinca, who is from Romania and now resides in Little Falls and Teresa Rodriguez.
Aug. 29th
1867
The Rough & Ready base ball club of this village, and the Valley Club of Canajoharie played a “friendly” match at Canajoharie with the locals winning 45 to 11. A little bad blood was manifested once or twice during the contest. One of the local fans was assaulted at the Palatine Bridge railroad depot in a misunderstanding with the baggage master.
1893
The free lunch feature of the saloon business has grown to be such an expense that there is movement in the Liquor Dealers’ Association to do away with it.
1903
A light newspaper train, with three express cars, rushing at 70 miles an hour, jumped the New York Central tracks at the sharp Gulf Curve in Little Falls killing the engineer and fireman. The engineer was trying to make up for time lost at stops in Amsterdam and Fonda.
Aug. 30th
1890
The strike of the Gilboys’ drivers has been settled at last. Two horses belonging to the Gilboys died last night and one yesterday afternoon, besides twenty chickens. They were undoubtedly poisoned by some unknown miscreant.
1892
A Silver Ash Institute will be established in Little Falls. The treatment is claimed to be a sure cure for liquor and morphine habits.
1895
Little Falls is not far behind her sister towns in the adoption of the rational dress by lady bicyclists. There is an old and well-grounded prejudice against the ugly garment invented by Mrs. Bloomer. Prominent ladies in Little Falls society have set the fashion for a really neat appearing article of the present time.
1918
Thieves are raiding the war gardens of the city and automobile thieves are despoiling the vegetable crops of the farmers. What they need is a good charge of rock salt from a shotgun.
1983
The Herkimer County Trust Company celebrated 150 years of banking business in Little Falls. Ralph W. Burrows was president and chairman of the Board. Directors included William Cotter, Ralph W. Burrows, Jr., George Aney, Mrs. Lillian W.B. Fisher, Hon. Edmund McCarthy, Frank G, Mendl, James B. Wright, Richard Collins, and I. Stacey Simpson.
Aug. 31st
1837
Owen McLaughlin of Ireland became the first victim of the railroad as he was killed on the tracks. McLaughlin was employed on a local farm.
2006
After 50 years of doing business as Morgan’s Dairy, plus many years with my father & brother doing business as Hillside Dairy, I am retiring the milk delivery business effective today – W. Morgan Carrig, “The Milkman.”
This Week in History” is brought to you by the Little Falls Historical Society. Please Visit the Little Falls Historical Society Website and please consider supporting the Museum by becoming a Member. Download the membership form here!