Saratoga Lake

Originally called Caniad-eri-os-se-ra by the Mohawk Indians, meaning the lake of the crooked stream, Saratoga Lake has a long history. The Mohawks believed that the stillness on the lake was sacred to the Great Spirit and if a human voice was heard their canoe would collapse. In 1772 as the area was being discovered by settlers, they decided to name it Saratoga Lake. Despite disputes between the Mohawks and the settlers, the land was eventually claimed by the settlers in 1768.

Saratoga Lake is eight and half miles long, and one and a half miles wide. After about four and a half miles, the lake necks down another four miles or so. At this point the lake becomes about and eighth of a mile wide, and is called Fish Creek. At one point a toll bridge was built at the beginning of Fish Creek. The deepest depth of the lake is ninety-six feet. The fish in Saratoga Lake include; black crappie, bluegill, brown trout, carp, chain pickerel, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, rainbow trout, tiger muskellunge, walleye, and yellow perch.

Although many productive farms once called the eastern slope of the lake home, the lake has been a successful tourist attraction since the 19th century. Because of the widely popular springs in the area, hotels and restaurants had popped up all around the lake. People came by any means necessary to visit the springs and the beauty of the lake. Even at the time, steam powered boat tours were available to visitors, as well as sail boat tours. And of course for those more inclined to a quiet day out, fishing the lake drew many people to its shores.

Regattas were one of the most exciting tourist attractions at the lake. Enormous crowds were drawn to Saratoga Lake for the regattas. Grand stands were built along the lake side to help hold the crowds, although the events were much too large to be held just by the grand stands. These events included music and speeches, as well as other outdoor activities.

The first notable regatta was in 1871. The International Regatta was sponsored by John Morrissey, one of the founders of Saratoga Race Track and the Canfield Casino. At this race, teams from England and America competed. In 1874 colleges were persuaded by the owner of the New York Herald, James Gordon Bennett, to race on the lake. In 1875 a large college race on Saratoga Lake included Cornell, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, Wesleyan, Amherst, Brown, Williams, Bowdoin, Hamilton, Union and Princeton. The results were as follows Cornell first, Columbia second, and Harvard third. This race drew huge crowds and included other events such as baseball and leg races.

What we now call the potato chip was created at Saratoga Lake! Moon Lake Lodge was a very popular resort at the time, host too many wealthy and as it turned out, picky guests. The chef in 1853 was American Indian George Crum. As French fries were a very popular dinner dish around this time, they were of course on the menu at Moon Lake Lodge.

After a disgruntled customer sent back his order two times because his French fries were too thick, Crum became angry and decided to take action against the annoying customer. He decided to make the French fries so thin, you wouldn’t be able to use your fork while eating them. He hoped this would further anger the customer. Surprisingly though, his plan failed because the customer was delighted with the extremely thin potato slices! As he raved about his dinner, other guests wanted to try them as well. The other guests also enjoyed this specialty item, and eventually they became a constant on the menu.

Eventually they began bagging them and selling them locally which of course led to them being sold throughout the New England area. When the automatic potato peeler was invented in the 1920’s, Saratoga Chips took off eventually loosing the geographical name and becoming simple potato chips. They spread through the country via traveling salesmen, one by the name of Herman Lay now known for Lay’s Potato Chips. Who would have thought that such a worldly popular snack food would have started right here at Saratoga Lake, and all because of a dispute between a customer and the chef!

These days most of the historic hotels and sites have since passed, either from natural demise or demolition. However, events and attractions at Saratoga Lake are still going strong! There is still at least one yearly regatta at the lake, at which colleges and rowing clubs compete. Many houses have sprung up around the lake, and it’s become a place many families call their year round home, not just a place to visit and mingle. However, there are still many, many restaurants around the lake known for amazing food and atmosphere.

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