[2] The city is built on both sides of the Mohawk River, at a point at which rapids had impeded travel upriver.

Transportation through the valley was improved by construction of the Erie Canal, completed in 1825 and connecting the Great Lakes with the Hudson River.

The city is located at the northeastern corner of the town of Little Falls and is east of Utica.

Little Falls was first settled by Europeans around 1723, when German Palatines were granted land under the Burnetsfield Patent.

The need to portage around the falls promoted a trading location on the site of the future city.

The small settlement here was destroyed by Iroquois Indians, mostly Mohawk, and Tories in June 1782.

With dairy farms located throughout the town, Little Falls was a major center for the manufacturing of cheese in the third quarter of the 19th century.

In the 20th century it attracted immigrants from eastern and southern Europe, who worked in factories for textiles, gloves and other products.

In 1903, a westbound New York Central special newspaper train derailed due to excessive speed on a sharp curve killing the engine crew.

The strike, led by the Industrial Workers of the World, lasted into the following year and saw a violent confrontation between strikers and police.

The following are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: James Sanders House, Italian Community Bake Oven, Little Falls City Hall, Little Falls Historic District, Overlook, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, South Ann Street-Mill Street Historic District, the Overlook (Burrell) House, and the United States Post Office.