Saratoga History

Initially settled by the native Iroquois Indians, Saratoga Springs in Saratoga County has always been a favored location for New Yorkers. Because of its geographic location between the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers, the abundance of timber and furs, and the indigenous natural mineral springs, it is no mystery why the Iroquois chose to settle in beautiful Saratoga County.

Saratoga Springs was settled by the Colonies in 1776, the same good qualities evident to the Indians were also evident to the Colonialists. Because of the tall and straight pine trees that grow all over Saratoga County, timber fueled the early expansion of people into Saratoga County, and by extension Saratoga Springs. All sorts of mills started to sprout up all over the County, ranging from saw mills to tanning mills, many of which used the waterways as a source of power.

Established in 1819, the town of Saratoga Springs was, for a period, a hidden and sleepy township in northeast portion of Saratoga County. But, with the discovery of natural mineral springs, Saratoga Springs became a resort town for the wealthy and privileged from all over New England. With the influx of wealthy patrons, Victorian mansions started popping up, many of which are still standing and attracting visitors to this day, giving Saratoga Springs that look of timely beauty.

The rich, famous, and infamous were known to frequent Saratoga County, and Saratoga Springs, in the late Nineteen Century – Early Twentieth Century. The Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Whitneys, J.P Morgan and Lillian Russell were known to often visit the Spa’s of Saratoga County, including Saratoga Springs, adding glamour to the area.

Over time, horse racing became a staple of the County, centered around Saratoga Race Track, located in Saratoga Springs. In 1863, Saratoga Racetrack was opened to the public, with a horse named Lizzie W wining the first race. Horse racing became so important and popular, that it was not long before Saratoga was international synonymous with horse racing. Even to this day, all the great horses, jockeys, and trainers race at Saratoga, currently the oldest track operating in the United States. The legendary Man o’ War suffered his lone defeat at Saratoga, and parts of the movie Seabiscuit was filmed around the racetrack.

During the early Twenty Century, Saratoga Springs was under a great deal of pressure because of the prohibition of gambling, hurting her greatest attraction: the racetrack. Many casino operators tried to deflect the new laws by focusing more on the mineral springs, making Saratoga Springs a place for relaxation and vacation, rather than fun in games. Luckily, after a few years of prohibition, gambling was again made legal, re-establishing Saratoga Springs as a preeminent location for horse racing.

But, with the advantages of gambling come the disadvantages. An influx of gamblers, gangsters, bookies, pimps and prostitutes left a sour taste in the mouth of local residents, many of whom wished to keep Saratoga Springs quiet and peaceful. As the years moved along, the high life which characterized Saratoga Springs in the late parts of the Nineteenth Century and the early parts of the Twentieth Century had began to wane, leaving behind a depressed economy. During World War II, racing was suspended for three years, leaving the tourist-centered industries which made up a large part of the economy hurting. The large hotels, restaurants and casinos all suffered during World War II, leaving many to wonder if Saratoga Springs great days were in the rear view mirror.

In the years following World War II, gambling surged again in County, centered around the racetrack and casinos in Saratoga Springs. But, unlike before, many viewed the disadvantages of gambling to be greater than the advantages, spurring a movement to crack down on illegal gambling all through Saratoga County. Many people were surprised to find that the racetrack did well even with the increased pressure on gambling, convincing many that it was possible for Saratoga to exist without pervasive and gambling.

The 1950’s started with hope, but as the decade marched along, things seemed to remain the same. A series of fires and foreclosures hurt the hotel industry badly, leaving Saratoga Springs without an abundance of high-end lodging; a new direction was needed for all of Saratoga County, because the current track was not working.

At the end of the decade, a grant from the United States Urban Renewal Commission gave Saratoga County an opportunity to dramatically reinvent itself. Making the most of their opportunity, Saratoga County, with help from the Federal government, focused on making downtown Saratoga Springs a tourist attraction again, rebuilding many of the restaurants and hotels which had fallen into disrepair over the decades. This project, as well as the completion of a portion of the Thruway, the Northway, which made it easier to get to Saratoga Springs, helped increase not only the tourist industry, but the bedroom community. By attaching Saratoga Springs to The Capital Region of New York, the future again looked bright for Saratoga Springs, and by extension Saratoga County.

The Sixties saw expansion on just about every level possible. Educational speaking, Skidmore College decided to build a campus in Saratoga Springs on the Hilton estate, which was a large track of land given to the college. Culturally speaking, one of the biggest musical venues in the area was completed in 1966, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, or S.P.A.C. The arts center is the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York City Ballet, the New York City Opera, and all the top jazz, pop and rock music performers. Saratoga County was back on track, regaining their place atop the list of hot destinations.

It is no wonder why Saratoga County, but more specifically Saratoga Springs, has become such a wonder place to visit. With Saratoga Racetrack, S.P.A.C, Saratoga Harness Track, and many other countless attractions, like Revolutionary battlefields, museums, and classic Victorian mansions, Saratoga Springs is the place to be.