Everything about Saratoga Springs New York totally explained
Saratoga Springs is a
city in
Saratoga County,
New York,
USA. The population was 26,186 at the
2000 census. The name reflects the presence of
mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a
Native American place name, authorities disagree on what the exact word was, and hence what it meant.
The
City of Saratoga Springs is in the center of
Saratoga County in
upstate New York.
Government
The Saratoga Springs charter specifies a "commission" form of city government. Recent efforts to amend the charter to consolidate responsibilities with the mayor have as yet been unsuccessful.
- Mayor -- Scott Johnson
- Commissioner of Public Safety -- Ron Kim
- Commissioner of Public Works -- Anthony "Skip" Scirocco
- Commissioner of Accounts -- John Franck
- Commissioner of Finance -- Ken Ivins
- Saratoga County Board of Supervisors -- Joanne Yepsen, Matthew Veitch
History
According to historical accounts,
Sir William Johnson, British soldier and a hero of the
French and Indian Wars, was brought to what would become the city by native friends in 1767 to treat war wounds at a spring thought to have medicinal properties. The spring is now known as High Rock Spring, and may be visited today.
The first permanent settler arrived around 1776, and a tourist trade swiftly grew, with hotels being constructed by such Revolutionary War luminaries as Gideon Putnam.
Saratoga Springs was established as a town in
1819 from a western portion of the
Town of Saratoga. Its principal community was incorporated as a village in
1826 and the entire region became a city in
1915.
In the
19th Century, the community became famous as a
spa that saw many hotels built, including the colossal
Grand Union Hotel that was in its day, the largest hotel in the world.
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The famous
Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the
Revolutionary War, didn't take place in Saratoga Springs. Rather, the
battlefield is 15 miles (24 km) to the southeast in the town of
Stillwater.
Geography
Saratoga Springs is located at (43.075337, -73.782422).
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.1 square miles (75.3
km²), of which, 28.4 square miles (73.6 km²) of it's land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (2.17%) is water.
The Adirondack Northway (
Interstate 87) and
US Route 9 pass alongside and through the city.
New York State Route 29,
New York State Route 50,
New York State Route 9N, and
New York State Route 9P lead into Saratoaga Springs.
Saratoga Lake is southeast of the city.
Demographics
As of the
census of 2000, there were 26,186 people, 10,784 households, and 5,985 families residing in the city. The
population density was 921.1 people per square mile (355.6/km²). There were 11,584 housing units at an average density of 407.5/sq mi (157.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.53%
White, 3.11%
African American, 0.24%
Native American, 1.03%
Asian, 0.03%
Pacific Islander, 0.64% from
other races, and 1.41% from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.
There were 10,784 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were
married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 15.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,130, and the median income for a family was $59,281. Males had a median income of $39,573 versus $29,439 for females. The
per capita income for the city was $26,250. About 5.5% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Additional facts about Saratoga Springs
Racing
The city is perhaps most famous for the
Saratoga Race Course which opened on August 3, 1863. Founded by John Hunter and
William R. Travers, it's the oldest continuously-operating
Thoroughbred track in the United States. The track holds a summer meet lasting approximately six weeks, from late July to Labor Day, every day but Tuesdays. The track season sees a dramatic influx of people into the city. Hotels fill to capacity, and many Saratogians rent out their homes.
Also located in the city is the
Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, a harness (Standardbred) racetrack that includes a video gaming facility, the Racino.
The Springs
When the city was young in the 1800's people would come to Saratoga not only for the racing but also for the springs. The natural mineral springs were believed to have healing powers and people would come from all over to drink or bathe in the waters. The Lincoln Baths was one such place people would go to be treated with the waters. The bath house has since been transformed into an office building, but still exists and can be visited to this day. The spa treatments also are being continued in a new bath house in the Spa State Park called the Roosevelt Baths. Springs can be found all over town. Most of the springs are marked by a small covered pavilion with the name of the spring across the top for all to see. Some however are just a spigot in a rock where the water flows out. Many of the springs are famous for their distinct taste. Some taste of regular water and some taste strongly of a certain mineral such as sulfur. Some people even bottle the spring water to take home. The springs give the town character and a history that's very unique.
List of the Springs:
Big Red Spring,
Charlie Spring,
Columbian Springs,
Congress Spring,
Deer Park Spring,
Empire Spring,
Geyser Island Spouter,
Geyser Spring,
Governor Spring,
Hathorn #1,
Hathorn #3,
Hayes Well Spring,
High Rock Spring,
Old Iron Spring,
Old Red Spring,
Orenda Spring and Tufa Deposits,
Patterson Springs
Peerless Spring,
Polaris Spring, and
State Seal
Culture
The
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (known by its acronym "SPAC," rhymes with "track") is a covered outdoor amphitheater located on the grounds of the
Saratoga Spa State Park, with a capacity of 5,000 in reserved seating and 20,000+ on its general admission lawn area. SPAC is the summer home of the
Philadelphia Orchestra and the
New York City Ballet, and has hosted a weekend-long jazz festival for several decades. 2007 marks the second year of the annual Saratoga Native American Festival held on the grounds of SPAC. It is a stop for touring national recording artists: over 20 popular bands grace the stage every summer. Steps away on State Park grounds, the
Spa Little Theater hosts a chamber music festival as well as the geographically-misdescriptive
Lake George Opera Festival during the summer.
There are several
museums in the area, including the
National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, and the
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. There are more than 20
golf courses.
The city is also notable for its vibrant night life.
Caffè Lena was one of the first venues in the Eastern US at which
Bob Dylan performed, in 1961.
Arlo Guthrie played the Caffè early in his career and has returned for occasional benefit concerts. Singer
Don McLean is said to have composed his "
American Pie" sitting at a table in the Tin & Lint, a bar on Caroline Street. A plaque marks the table today. Numerous other establishments exist on Broadway, Caroline Street, and the redeveloped Putnam Street.
Recently, Beekman Street (four blocks west of Broadway) has become an art district, housing four galleries, a restaruant, a pub and teahouse, and a bistro. Artists live and work in co-ops and arrange social events. While many congratulate themselves on "revitalizing" a "deteriorating" area, others consider such declarations an insult to the generations of Saratogians of marginalized ethnicities that toiled in support the tourism economy of the city, and were traditionally segregated to this once-remote quarter.
Skidmore College is located in the north of the city. During the summer, Skidmore is one of several hosts for the Johns Hopkins'
CTY program.
Saratoga Springs is also home to
Yaddo, a 400 acre (1.6 km²) artists' community, founded by the great Wall Street financier,
Spencer Trask and his wife, the author
Katrina Trask. Since its inception in 1900, Yaddo has been home to 60
Pulitzer Prize winning authors and one
Nobel Prize winner.
Sylvia Plath,
Truman Capote, and
David Sedaris have all been artists-in-residence. The Yaddo grounds are adjacent to the backstretch of the Saratoga Race Course.
It is believed that
potato chips were invented in Saratoga Springs, by
Native American/African American chef
George Crum, at Moon's Lake House on
August 24,
1853.
Walt Disney World Resort has a theme resort called
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, inspired by this city.
Saratoga Springs was noted in
The Hipster Handbook as one of the "college towns" where
hipsters often dwell.
Notable Saratogians
Actors
David Hyde Pierce, 1977 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate and winner of the Yaddo Medal
Scott Valentine, grew up in Saratoga Springs
Charles Brackett, Hollywood screenwriter and producer
Sports Figures
Kathleen Kauth, hockey player; 2006 Olympic bronze medalist; currently plays for the NWHL's Brampton Thunder
Bill Parcells, retired football coach; owns a summer/retirement home overlooking a local golf course
Dottie Pepper, golfer
Giana Roberge, professional cyclist; 2004 Master's World Time-Trial Champion; former owner of Paradox Bicycle Center on Church St.; Skidmore graduate
Anthony Weaver, football player; defensive end with the Houston Texans, 1998 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate
Nick Zito, thoroughbred horse trainer
Tim Stauffer, Major League Baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres system; attended Saratoga Central Catholic High School.
Musicians
Trey Anastasio, Guitarist and Vocalist for legendary band Phish
Dorian Crozier, drummer who has sat in with Five for Fighting and The Rembrandts; 1989 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate
The Figgs, a band formed in 1987 by Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly, and Guy Lyons, 1989 and 1990 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduates
Adam Finkin, Bassist for Seven Stories Falling
Dave Luetkenhoelter, bass player for Kutless; lived in Saratoga Springs for a short time during high school
Sarah Pedinotti, young jazz singer with albums critically acclaimed by Billboard Magazine
Utah Phillips, while not a native, began his career as a professional musician while living in Saratoga
Scott Underwood, drummer for and member of Train; 1990 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate
Other Notable People
Justin Michael Jenkins, Artist, designer for Susan Polgar; 1989 Saratoga Springs Senior High School Graduate
James Howard Kunstler, writer and social critic
Steven Millhauser, writer, winner of 1997 Pulitzer Prize.
Solomon Northup, prominent abolitionist and author of Twelve Years a Slave; born a free man but kidnapped into slavery, eventually regaining freedom in 1853
Jane Roberts, author, psychic and trance medium or spirit medium.
Nick Steele, noted fashion stylist; has worked with Beyoncé, Katie Couric and many others; grew up in Saratoga and his family still resides there
Marylou Whitney, socialite; maintains a home at Cady Hill
George Crum, inventor of the potato chip; a Native American/African American chef at Moon's Lake House
Transportation
The closest scheduled air service is available at Albany International Airport (ALB). There is also a general aviation facility, Saratoga County Airport (5B2), located west of city limits in the Town of Milton.
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Saratoga Springs, operating its Adirondack daily in both directions between Montreal and New York City and Ethan Allen Express daily in both directions between Rutland, Vermont and New York City. The local station was built in 1956, but dramatically rehabilitated in 2004. The 6,400 square foot passenger area contains a coffee shop/newsstand, murals, an automated teller machine, a visitors information kiosk, outside patio area and benches, and a children’s play area. The station serves about 23,000 passengers every year. The Adirondack and Ethan Allen Express trains stop in Saratoga.
Greyhound Bus Lines also serves the city frequently, sending buses every few hours towards Albany or Montreal. Its station is the Saratoga Diner on South Broadway, distinguished by a fiberglass statue of a young horse mounted on the roof of the building. The bus station is also served by the Capital District Transportation Authority. CDTA also provides service from Schenectady via Route 50 daily, and weekday service to Albany via the Northway Express line.
Long-distance motorists generally reach Saratoga via I-87, which north of Albany is known as the Adirondack Northway. Three exits access the city. Exit 13-S is optimal for reaching Saratoga Lake, and 13-N for SPAC, and the southern and western quadrants of the city. Visitors to the racetrack use Exit 14, which is also arguably best for reaching downtown. Exit 15 serves Skidmore College and the shopping malls just north of city limits.
Saratoga Springs in popular culture
Saratoga Springs has been the scene where a number of motion pictures were either filmed or were the setting thereof:
Further Information
Get more info on 'Saratoga Springs New York'.
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