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• 1771 - Mineral Spring disovered
  In the early summer of 1771 some surveyors employed by the commissioners appointed to survey and partition among its thirteen proprietors the great patent of Kayadrossera were engaged in running the north line of the five-mile square, now the line between the towns of Milton and Ballston. When these surveyors and their chain-men arrived on the brow of the hill, opposite what has since been known as the Public spring, the heat of the day being intense, and seeing the rippling waters of the creek through the openings in the forest, they with one accord dropped their instruments, and ran down the bank to the stream to quench their thirst and bathe their foreheads in its cooling waters. It was then and there THEY FOUND A MINERAL SPRING, - the spring now called the Public spring, its waters then bubbling up cool and delicious from the low swampy ground which then bordered the creek. It was when first found a large full fountain rising to the surface and freely running off. The discovery... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1787 - In the year 1787, Benajah Douglas built, for those days, a commodious log tavern near the Public spring. (Ballston Spa)
  He purchased a farm of one hundred acres adjoining the spring on the west, on which he built his first rude hostelry and opened it for the accommodation of guests. He also built a small frame house near by for the use of people who came there with their own victuals.
  
  About the same year Micajah Benedict opened a tavern and took boarders, one mile south of the springs.
  
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~nysarato/ Sylvester/ chap30.html
  
• 1794 - a number of Masons met in the town of Ballston for the purpose of forming a lodge, and that on the 16th day of May, in the same year, the Grand Lodge of the State of New York granted a charter to Franklin Lodge, No 37, located in Ballston
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~nysarato/ Sylvester/ chap30.html
  
• 1808 - (Ballston Spa) May 28, 1808, each owner of a dwelling-house was required to have two ladders ready for use in case of fire, - one to reach the eaves, another, with iron hooks, to be laid on the roof.
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~nysarato/ Sylvester/ chap30.html
  
• 1819 - Court-house and jail erected in Ballston Spa
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~nysarato/ Sylvester/ chap30.html
  
• 1822 - (Ballston Spa) - In 1822 the officers of the first Fire Engine Company, No. 1, were appointed by the board: Andrew Watrous, captain; Rowland A. Wright, assistant captain; Stephen B. Noble, secretary; Lyman S. Ballard, steward.
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~nysarato/ Sylvester/ chap30.html
  
• 1838 - "The Ballston Spa Bank," the first banking institution in town, was organized in 1838, and commenced business May 15, 1839.
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~nysarato/ Sylvester/ chap30.html
  
•   1849 - Railroad Accident
  The Rail Road train for Whitehall ran off the track this morning at a place called Tallmadge's Road, six miles South of Ballston. The train was under full headway. The locomotive ran some six rods up a bank six feet high, when it upset, being smashed in pieces, crushing the engineer, WILLIAM DODGE, and the fireman JOHN FRANK, under it. The baggage tram was thrown up to the opposite bank. The passenger cars uninjured.
  
  DODGE was terribly cut in the face, and FRANK had his left leg horribly crushed. It is hoped that both will recover, though it is very doubtful. DODGE was taken to Ballston [his home] and FRANK to Troy. The worst of the whole is, that it was the result design. Stones have been wedged between the rails and the plank of the crossing, carefully placed and driven down. Billets of wood have been found several times driven down in the same spot, but have been removed to prevent injury. A hand-car passed over the track two hours before the accident. John Tallmage, who owns... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1850 - (Ballston Spa) - Beach & Chapman also built about the year 1850 a woolen-mill, known as the Glen woolen-mill property
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ ~nysarato/ Sylvester/ chap30.html
  
• 1854 - Ballston / Ballston Spa
  Ballston, a post-township of Saratoga county, New York, 25 miles N. from Albany, is intersected by the Schenectady and Saratoga railroad. Population, 2269.
  
  Ballston Centre, a post-village of Sara toga county, New York, 26 miles N. from Albany.
  
  Ballston Spa, a post-village, capital of Saratoga county, New York, on the Saratoga and Schenectady railroad, 80 miles N. from Albany, and 7 miles S. W. from Saratoga Springs. The mineral springs at this place have considerable celebrity. The village contains a court house, several churches, a bank, 1 or 2 newspaper offices, and the Sans Souci hotel, which is 160 feet long, with wings extending back 163 feet. Population, in 1862, about 2000.
  A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
  
• 1868 - The Glen Paper Collar Co., of Ballston Spa, was established in 1868; commencing business in April of that year.
  HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
  by NATHANIEL BARTLETT SYLVESTER
  1878
  
  "During the 1870s, a peculiar clothing fad swept the country. Disposable cotton-based paper collars were introduced to the upper classes as a way of maintaining a fresh, white collar rather than attempting to clean soiled cloth collars.
  
  Some of the first paper collars in the country were manufactured two miles north of Ballston by Lindley Murray Crane, a paper mill owner and holder of three patents. Henry Mann’s father also manufactured paper collar materials in nearby Factory Village for some years under the partnership of Mann & Laflin.
  
  Medbery and Mann recognized the potential, and rented space at the Blue Mill to establish the Glen Paper Collar Co. In their first year, the partnership produced 9 million collars. Soon they occupied the entire building. In 1871, they built a five-story, 60-foot by 40-foot addition, reportedly constructed in 20 days. They rented the old Waverly Hall for use as a... Read MORE...
  
  
•   1869 - Thrown From Carriage
  John W. Duncan, of Ballston Spa, N. Y., has recovered $5,000 from the New York Central Railroad Company for throwing him from his carriage, in Rochester, three years ago.
  St Joseph Herald
  Saint Joseph, Michigan
  February 13, 1869
  
•   1882 - Bad Blasting
  A Premature Explosion Sends Thirteen Persons to Eternity.
  
  MILTON, New York, July 14. - By the premature explosion of a blast on the North Shore road yesterday, thirteen men where killed or probably fatally wounded.
  Tucson Daily Citizen
  Tucson, Arizona
  July 14, 1882
  
• 1895 - Ballston Spa
  Ballston Spa, a post-town, the capital of Saratoga co., N.Y., in Ballston and Milton townships, 32 miles by rail N.N.W. of Albany, and 6 miles S.W. of Saratoga Springs. The name of its station is Ballston. It has several mineral springs, 2 national banks, 5 churches, 2 news paper offices, graded schools, and manufactures of paper, paper-bags, axes and scythes, cotton and woollen goods, sash, blinds, &c. Pop. in 1890, 3527.
  Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
  
• 1899 - Ballston
  The town of Ballston comprises the so-called “five-mile square,” with a small addition to the south. It is bounded on the north by Milton, on the east by Malta, on the south by Clifton Park and Schenectady county, and on the west by Schenectady county and Charlton. The Revised Statutes define the town as follows:
  
  The town of Ballston shall contain all that part of said county comprehending the tract of land commonly called the five mile square, and the west line of the same extended south to the bounds of the county; then along the bounds of the county to a line run from the south end of Long Lake south fifty-three degrees west; then along that line and the east shore of said lake to the south bounds of the said five-mile square.
  
  The surface of Ballston is gently undulating. The Mourning kill rises in the western part of the town and flows northeasterly through Ballston and Malta into the Kayaderosseras. The outlet of Ballston lake flows northeasterly, finally emptying into... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1899 - Milton
  The town of Milton is second in importance to Saratoga Springs in point of population and wealth, but probably the first town in the county in the extent and value of its manufactures. Milton is bounded on the north by Greenfield, on the east by Saratoga Springs and Malta, on the south by Ballston and Charlton, and on the west by Galway. It contains 20,935 acres. The Revised Statutes describe the town as follows:
  
  The town of Milton shall contain all that part of said county bounded northerly by Greenfield, easterly by the east line of the fourteenth allotment of the Kayadrossera patent and the same continued to the north line of the sixteenth allotment, southerly by a line beginning in the southeast corner of the fourteenth allotment of the Kayadrossera patent and running thence west along the bounds of the said allotment to the middle of the south bounds of lot number nine in the subdivision of the allotment aforesaid, and westerly by a line running from thence due north to the... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1916
  Ballston, a township (town) of Saratoga oo., N.Y. It contains Ballston Center and part of Ballston Spa. Pop. in 1900, 2034.
  
  Ballston Spa, a banking post-town and resort, the capital of Saratoga co., N.Y., on the Delaware and Hudson R., 6 miles SW. of Saratoga Springs. The name of its station is Ballston. It has several mineral springs and manufactures of paper, paper bags, leather and woollen goods, etc. Pop. in 1900, 3923.
  
  Ballston Center, a poet- village of Saratoga oo., N.Y., in Ballston township (town), 5 miles SW. of Ballston Spa.
  
  Ballston Lake, a post-village of Saratoga co., N.Y., 7 miles SW. of Ballston Spa. Pop. 200.
  Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
  
•   1948 Fire Razes Church Built 96 Years Ago
  BALLSTON SPA. (AP) - The 96 year old United Methodist church at nearby Galway was destroyed by fire yesterday.
  
  The flames fanned by a high wind, went out of control despite efforts of firemen from Galway and seven other Saratoga county villages, Fire Chief C. Duane McChesney said. He estimated the damage at $50,000. No one was injured.
  
  Sparks from the church set fire to a barn owned by John H. Teachout a quarter-mile away, McChesney said, causing an estimated additional $500 damage. The barn fire was quickly extinguished.
  
  McChesney said the fire started from soot in the chimney and later two oil burners in the rear of the church exploded.
  The Post Standard
  Syracuse, New York
  April 19, 1948
  
• Driving by Ballston Spa, New York
  
  
• 2023 - Here's a list of places to go and things to do in and around Ballston Spa:
  Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum: Start your exploration of Ballston Spa by visiting the Brookside Museum. This museum showcases the history of the region, including its role in the Revolutionary War and the growth of the Saratoga County area. You can learn about the village's past and how it has evolved over the centuries.
  
  National Bottle Museum: If you have an interest in unique collections, the National Bottle Museum is a must-visit. It features a vast collection of bottles and glassware from various eras, offering insight into the art and science of glassmaking.
  
  Saratoga Spa State Park: This expansive park is just a short drive from Ballston Spa and offers a wide range of outdoor activities. You can hike, bike, or picnic in the scenic surroundings. The park is also home to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), which hosts concerts and cultural events during the summer.
  
  Ballston Spa Farmers' Market: If you're visiting Ballston Spa during the... Read MORE...
  
  
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