History of Saratoga Springs, New York, USA

1854 - Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs, situated in Saratoga township, Saratoga county, New York, 38 miles by railroad N. of Albany, and 32 N. of Troy. This is the most fashionable watering-place on the American continent, as well as the most in repute for the medical virtues of its waters. Here assemble from every quarter of the Union the devotees of pleasure and the victims of disease ; the pass belle, bedecked in jewellery and artificials, the wornout roue, in search of an heiress — the gambler, seeking his prey, and the brainless, bedizened fop, his easy victim, all are here. The visitors, however, are not confined to these extremes of society ; the merchant, the statesman, the divine, and the man of letters, here seek health or recreation, and the pleasures of mutual intercourse. Here are formed acquaintances by persons, from different portions of the Union, that tend to ob literate sectional prejudices, and cement the bonds of our political, by strengthening those of our social union.

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1863 - August 3 - Saratoga Racetrack (NY) opens

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1871 - Care for Sick Sheep. - James Smith, of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., says:
"I believe it is not generally known to farmers what to do for sheep when their ears lop, and they stand with their feet together, and their eyes run; the disease is just commencing. Catch the animal, and pull the hoof apart, and the issues will be found stopped up with a hard substance; pick that out and the animal will get well immediately. A little clean lard put into the oxen and cows' ears, when they run at the eyes, is very good."
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 11, 1871

1887 - By a plan of "penny a day" collections, the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Saratoga Springs raised during the past year the handsome sum of $1,950 on the debt of the church.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 5, 1887

1895 - Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs, a post-village and fashionable summer resort of Saratoga co., N.Y., in a township of its own name, on the Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad, at the S. terminus of the Adirondack Railroad, 38 miles N. of Albany, and about 180 miles N. of New York City. Besides being one of the most fashionable summer resorts in the world, Saratoga is visited by many persons for its medicinal advantages. Here are over 20 mineral springs, some of which are of great celebrity, the waters of which, in addition to the local consumption, are bottled in large quantities for exportation. The village contains 2 national banks, churches belonging to the Baptists, Catholics, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians, and printing offices which issue 1 daily and 3 weekly news papers. It has numerous hotels, some of great elegance and capable of accommodating more than 1000 guests each. Several of the leading hotels sustain excellent orchestras, and the season is further... Read MORE...

1899 - Saratoga Springs
The town of Saratoga Springs is located a little to the southeast of the geographical centre of the county. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Greenfield and Wilton, on the east by Saratoga, on the south by Malta and on the west by Milton. The Revised Statutes of New York State define the town as follows:

The town of Saratoga Springs shall contain all that part of said county bounded northerly by Greenfield and Wilton, westerly by Milton. southerly by Malta, and easterly by a line beginning at the northeast corner of Malta, then down the middle of Saratoga lake and. Fish creek to a point two rods above Stafford’s Bridge, and running thence, so as to include said bridge and a piece of land four. rods wide, to a point two rods below said bridge, and then due north to the south bouhds. of Wilton.

The surface of the town is gently undulating. A portion of Saratoga lake forms the southeast corner of the town. Kayaderosseras creek traverses the southern boundary. Its most... Read MORE...

1906
Saratoga Springs, a post-village of Saratoga co., N.Y., in a township (town) of its own name, on the Delaware and Hudson and other railroads, 38 miles N. of Albany. It is one of the most fashionable resorts of the United States, and its vast hotels, giving accommodation to about 20,000 guests, are among the largest in the world. The village is noted for its numerous carbonated medicinal springs (chalybeate, sulphur, iodine), which are considered efficacious in toe treatment of rheumatic, liver, and digestive troubles, and of which vast quantities are bottled and exported. Saratoga has long been famous for its horse-races and latterly it has introduced an autumnal flower (He. The village has several parks. About 4 miles distant is Saratoga Lake. Twelve miles SE. of Saratoga, on the Hudson River, is the battle-ground of Stillwater (see Stillwater and Bemus Heights), where were fought the two battles of Saratoga, between the forces of Burgoyne and Gates, on Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, 1777,... Read MORE...

1906 - TWO KILLED IN CRASH OF MONTREAL EXPRESS
George Foster Peabody One of the Injured in Train Wreck.
HIS HURTS NOT SERIOUS
Sharp Curve Cut Off Signal That Brakeman Used In Effort to Avoid Disaster.
Special to The New York Times.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, March 7. - Two persons were killed, another will probably die before morning, and several were injured in an accident this afternoon on the Delaware & Hudson Railway. George Foster Peabody was hurt.

Soon after 5 o'clock a freight train in the yard at the bottom of Church Street ran off the track at the switch. The engine and three cars left the rails and effectually blocked the track. The passenger train from Rutland, due at Saratoga at 5:30 o'clock, was unable to pass and came to a halt.

The Montreal express was due in five minutes on a sharp curve, and a brakeman, according to the regulations, was hurried back along the line to flag it. The engineer of the express could not see the flag at any distance, but, as soon as he did, put on the brakes.

The speed was reduced,... Read MORE...

1957 - Fire
Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (UP) - A fire apparently started by an oil burner explosion raged through a downtown block of this famous resort city for five hours Sunday, killing one person, injuring four others and leaving 30 families homeless.

Firemen believe an oil burner explosion in the Paris Bowling alley started the $2.5 million blaze and spread from there throughout eight buildings in the crowded city block.

Policeman FRED PETTIT, 41, was killed when a second explosion collapsed a bowling alley wall. Fire Chief ROBERT CARROLL, who was pinned in the wreckage, was hospitalized. Three firemen were slightly injured.

The Red Cross declared the burned section a disaster area and set up an emergency office to supply food and clothing to some 30 homeless families who lived in the upper stories of the buildings. Other organizations including the Salvation Army and the Civil Air Patrol set up stations to give aid and restaurants gave free meals to those fighting the fire.

Four... Read MORE...

Here are some of the best places to go and things to do in Saratoga Springs:
Saratoga Spa State Park:

Start your visit with the Saratoga Spa State Park. It's not just a park; it's a whole experience. You can stroll through the beautiful gardens, take a hike, and even soak in the rejuvenating mineral springs. The park also hosts the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), where you might catch a live concert or ballet performance.

Downtown Saratoga Springs:

Wander around downtown Saratoga, where you'll find a mix of boutiques, art galleries, and charming cafes. Broadway is the main street, lined with shops and restaurants. It's a perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

Saratoga Race Course:

If you're in town during racing season (July to September), don't miss the Saratoga Race Course. It's one of the oldest race tracks in the country, and the atmosphere is electric. Even if you're not into horse racing, the historic significance and energy of the place are worth experiencing.

Yaddo Gardens:

Yaddo is a 400-acre estate with beautiful gardens.... Read MORE...