Saratoga Springs, New York
Encyclopedia
Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 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
name, authorities disagree on what the exact word was, and hence what it meant. The city is near the center of Saratoga County
in upstate New York
.
, which was settled shortly thereafter, and was known as Saratoga until 1831. In 1767, Sir William Johnson, British soldier and a hero of the French and Indian War
s, was brought about ten miles (16 km) west of the village, to what would become the city of Saratoga Springs, by Native American friends, 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 at the springs arrived around 1776, and a tourist trade swiftly grew, with hotels being constructed starting with Gideon Putnam
. Putnam laid out the roads and donated land for use as public spaces.
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 noted doctor Simon Baruch encouraged bringing European style spas to the United States, and thus Saratoga Springs, with its wealth of mineral waters developed as a spa
, seeing many hotels built, including the Grand Union Hotel
that was, in its day, the largest hotel in the world, and the United States Hotel. In 1863, Saratoga Race Course
opened and moved to its current location the following year, greatly expanding the city's reputation as a tourist destination. In addition, the Saratoga Springs area was known for its gambling, which after the first years of the 20th century was illegal, but still widespread. Most gambling facilities were located on Saratoga Lake, on the southeast side of the city.
After the closing and demolition of many of the town's premier hotels, including the Grand Union and United States, in the 1940s and 1950s, Saratoga Springs experienced a significant economic downturn. During the 1950s, the famed gambling houses were also shut down, which hurt Saratoga Springs' popularity even more. The city's rebirth began in the 1960s with the completion of the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87), which allowed visitors from the New York City area much easier access. In addition, the construction of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the late 1960s, which features classical and popular music and dance, furthered the city's renaissance.
The Battle of Saratoga
, the turning point of the Revolutionary War, did not take place in Saratoga Springs. Rather, the battlefield is 15 miles (24.1 km) to the southeast in the town of Stillwater
. There is a museum dedicated to these two battles located on the fields where the battles were fought. The British encampment before the surrender at Saratoga took place 10 miles (16.1 km) east of the city, in Schuylerville
, and there are several historical markers delineating points of interest. The surrender of the sword took place where Fort Saratoga had been, south of Schuylerville.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 29.1 square miles (75.4 km²), of which, 28.4 square miles (73.6 km²) of it is 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 Saratoga Springs.
Saratoga Lake is southeast of the city.
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 per square mile (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.
is open, there is plenty of industry that keeps this culture-rich city's economy booming. Saratoga Springs is home to Quad Graphics, offset printers of Time Magazine, Newsweek
, People Magazine, Sports Illustrated
and many others. Ball Corp.
, makers of the Mason Jar as well as aluminum cans for companies such as Pepsi
and Anheuser-Busch InBev
, has a large manufacturing plant in Saratoga County. AMD - Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (Global Foundries) has recently opened a manufacturing site in a newly constructed office park just outside Saratoga Springs in the town of Malta, NY. Stewart's Shops
, a popular convenience store chain that is an employee and family-owned business dealing in milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline, and more is based out of Saratoga Springs with a distribution center in Greenfield Center. Stewart's now has over 300 stores throughout New York and Vermont. Perhaps the most recognized of all businesses in Saratoga Springs is the Saratoga Spring Water Co. (a division of Anheuser-Busch InBev
) on Geyser Road. Since 1872, Americans have been enjoying this popular bottled mineral water whose blue glass bottle is still its trademark to this day.
which opened on August 3, 1863. The first track was located across Union Avenue (at the present Oklahoma Training Track location) from the present Saratoga Race Course, which opened the following year. Founded by John Hunter and William R. Travers
, the thoroughbred
track is the oldest continuously-operating sporting event of any kind in the United States. The track holds a summer meet lasting six weeks, from late July to Labor Day, that attracts the top horses, jockeys, and trainers in America. The meet features a number of major stakes races, with the Travers Stakes, a Grade I race, being the most important of America's summer horse races. 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 Casino and Raceway, a harness (Standardbred) racetrack that includes a video gaming facility, the Racino.
, which degasses from the water very quickly. Visitors are welcome to bottle the spring water for personal consumption.
The springs include:
(known by its acronym "SPAC," rhymes with "snack") 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 the "Home Made Theater" as well as Opera Saratoga
(formerly known as the Lake George Opera) during the summer.
There are several museum
s 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 course
s in the area.
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 at Cafè Lena early in his career and has returned for occasional benefit concerts, and singer Don McLean
was also a frequent performer early in his career (contrary to a popular legend, Mr. McLean has stated that his song "American Pie" was not composed at a table in the Tin & Lint, a bar on Caroline Street). Numerous other establishments exist on Broadway, Caroline Street(the Hamilton district), and the redeveloped Putnam Street.
Recently, Beekman Street (four blocks West of Broadway), once the center of a lower class residential neighborhood, has become an art district, housing four galleries, a restaurant, 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 of the tourism economy of the city, and were traditionally segregated to this once-remote quarter.
Saratoga Springs is also home to Yaddo
, a 400 acre (1.62 km²; 0.625000552608715 sq mi) 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.
and Edward G. Robinson
. The following is a list of movies filmed in and around Saratoga Springs.
For more on movies, see "In Pop Culture" below.
and Skidmore College
are both located in Saratoga Springs. During the summer, Skidmore is one of several hosts for the Johns Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth
. Eastern Nazarene College
, located in Quincy
, Massachusetts
, was founded in Saratoga Springs as the "Pentecostal Collegiate Institute and Biblical Seminary" at the turn of the 20th century.
The Saratoga Springs City School District is made up of:
Dr. Janice M. White is Superintendent of the Saratoga Springs City School District; Assistant Superintendents are Kurt Jaeger (Business), Thomas Mele (Elementary Education) and Michael Piccirillo (Secondary Education). The school Board is made up of Mia Pfitzer (President), Regina Gapczynski (Vice President), Russell Danforth, Ernest Gailor, Steve Grandin, Frank Palumbo, Charles Phillips, Jeffrey Piro, and Jay Rifenbary; school board members serve three-year terms.
Private schools in Saratoga Springs include Saratoga Central Catholic High School
, St. Clement's Regional Catholic School, The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, and Saratoga Independent School.
Sports Figures
Musicians
Other Notable People
. 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 6400 square feet (594.6 m²) passenger area contains a coffee
shop/newsstand, mural
s, 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.
Greyhound Bus Lines also serves the city frequently, sending buses every few hours towards Albany
or Montreal. The city Amtrak station also serves as the Greyhound Bus Lines & Adirondack Trailways Bus Lines station. The city is also served by the Capital District Transportation Authority
, which 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 from the south. Exit 15 serves Skidmore College
, downtown if coming from the north, and the shopping malls just north of city limits.
(France
) since 1994 Chekhov, Moscow Oblast
(Russia
) since 2001 Waveland, Mississippi
In the spring of 2006, Saratoga Springs decided to help out the people of Waveland in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
via a "Mardi Gras
"-esque festival downtown.
Saratoga County, New York
Saratoga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 219,607. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Ballston Spa...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
name, authorities disagree on what the exact word was, and hence what it meant. The city is near the center of Saratoga County
Saratoga County, New York
Saratoga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 219,607. It is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Ballston Spa...
in upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
.
History
Fort Saratoga was built in 1691 on the west bank of the Hudson River about a mile south of the current village of Schuylerville, New YorkSchuylerville, New York
Schuylerville is a village in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,197 at the 2000 census. The village is named after the Schuyler family....
, which was settled shortly thereafter, and was known as Saratoga until 1831. In 1767, Sir William Johnson, British soldier and a hero of the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
s, was brought about ten miles (16 km) west of the village, to what would become the city of Saratoga Springs, by Native American friends, 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 at the springs arrived around 1776, and a tourist trade swiftly grew, with hotels being constructed starting with Gideon Putnam
Gideon Putnam
Gideon Putnam was an entrepreneur and a founder of Saratoga Springs, New York. He also worked as a miller and built the city's Grand Union and Congress Hotels...
. Putnam laid out the roads and donated land for use as public spaces.
Saratoga Springs was established as a town in 1819 from a western portion of the Town of Saratoga
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
. Its principal community was incorporated as a village in 1826 and the entire region became a city in 1915.
In the 19th century, the noted doctor Simon Baruch encouraged bringing European style spas to the United States, and thus Saratoga Springs, with its wealth of mineral waters developed as a spa
Spa town
A spa town is a town situated around a mineral spa . Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau...
, seeing many hotels built, including the Grand Union Hotel
Grand Union Hotel (Saratoga Springs, New York)
The Grand Union Hotel was located on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, New York. The hotel began as a boarding house, built by Gideon Putnam in 1802, but grew into the world's largest hotel, before it was demolished in 1953....
that was, in its day, the largest hotel in the world, and the United States Hotel. In 1863, Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
opened and moved to its current location the following year, greatly expanding the city's reputation as a tourist destination. In addition, the Saratoga Springs area was known for its gambling, which after the first years of the 20th century was illegal, but still widespread. Most gambling facilities were located on Saratoga Lake, on the southeast side of the city.
After the closing and demolition of many of the town's premier hotels, including the Grand Union and United States, in the 1940s and 1950s, Saratoga Springs experienced a significant economic downturn. During the 1950s, the famed gambling houses were also shut down, which hurt Saratoga Springs' popularity even more. The city's rebirth began in the 1960s with the completion of the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87), which allowed visitors from the New York City area much easier access. In addition, the construction of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the late 1960s, which features classical and popular music and dance, furthered the city's renaissance.
The Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...
, the turning point of the Revolutionary War, did not take place in Saratoga Springs. Rather, the battlefield is 15 miles (24.1 km) to the southeast in the town of Stillwater
Stillwater (town), New York
Stillwater is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 7,522 at the 2000 census. The town contains a village called Stillwater...
. There is a museum dedicated to these two battles located on the fields where the battles were fought. The British encampment before the surrender at Saratoga took place 10 miles (16.1 km) east of the city, in Schuylerville
Schuylerville, New York
Schuylerville is a village in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,197 at the 2000 census. The village is named after the Schuyler family....
, and there are several historical markers delineating points of interest. The surrender of the sword took place where Fort Saratoga had been, south of Schuylerville.
Geography
Saratoga Springs is located at 43.075337°N 73.782422°W (43.075337, -73.782422).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 29.1 square miles (75.4 km²), of which, 28.4 square miles (73.6 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (2.17%) is water.
The Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87
Interstate 87
Interstate 87 is a Interstate Highway located entirely within New York State in the United States of America. I-87 is the longest intrastate Interstate highway in the Interstate Highway System. Its southern end is at the Bronx approaches of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City...
) and US Route 9 pass alongside and through the city. New York State Route 29
New York State Route 29
New York State Route 29 is a state highway extending for across the eastern portion of the U.S. state of New York. The western terminus of the route is at NY 28 and NY 169 in Middleville, Herkimer County. The eastern terminus of the route is at NY 22 just south of Salem,...
, New York State Route 50
New York State Route 50
New York State Route 50 is a state highway in the Capital District of New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 5 in Scotia...
, New York State Route 9N
New York State Route 9N
New York State Route 9N is a north–south state highway in northeastern New York, United States. It extends from an intersection with U.S. Route 9 , NY 29, and NY 50 in the city of Saratoga Springs to a junction with US 9 and NY 22 in the Clinton County village of...
, and New York State Route 9P
New York State Route 9P
New York State Route 9P is a state highway in central Saratoga County, New York, United States. It is an alternate route off U.S. Route 9 between Malta and Saratoga Springs that connects US 9 to the eastern shore of Saratoga Lake. NY 9P meets NY 423 in the town of...
lead into Saratoga Springs.
Saratoga Lake is southeast of the city.
2010
According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:- 92.3% WhiteWhite AmericanWhite Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
- 2.6% BlackAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
- 0.2% Native AmericanNative Americans in the United StatesNative Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
- 2.0% AsianAsian AmericanAsian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
- 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderPacific Islander AmericanPacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
- 2.2% Two or more racesMultiracial AmericanMultiracial Americans, US residents who identify themselves as of "two or more races", were numbered at around 9 million, or 2.9% of the population, in the census of 2010. However there is considerable evidence that the real number is far higher. Prior to the mid-20th century many people hid their...
- 0.7% Other racesRace (United States Census)Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
- 3.2% Hispanic or LatinoHispanic and Latino AmericansHispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
(of any race)
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 26,186 people, 10,784 households, and 5,985 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 921.1 people per square mile (355.6/km2). There were 11,584 housing units at an average density of 407.5 per square mile (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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Business
Though Saratoga Springs relies heavily on tourism as its main source of income, especially during the Summer months while Saratoga Race CourseSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
is open, there is plenty of industry that keeps this culture-rich city's economy booming. Saratoga Springs is home to Quad Graphics, offset printers of Time Magazine, Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, People Magazine, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
and many others. Ball Corp.
Ball Corp.
Ball Corporation , originally Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company, is an American company famous for producing glass canning jars. Founded in 1880, it is currently headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado. The company has expanded into other areas such as avionics, space systems, metal beverage...
, makers of the Mason Jar as well as aluminum cans for companies such as Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
and Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V. is a Belgian-Brazilian publicly-traded company, based in Leuven, Belgium. It is the largest global brewer with nearly 25% global market share and one of the world's top five consumer products companies by EBITA....
, has a large manufacturing plant in Saratoga County. AMD - Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (Global Foundries) has recently opened a manufacturing site in a newly constructed office park just outside Saratoga Springs in the town of Malta, NY. Stewart's Shops
Stewart's Shops
Stewart's Shops is a U.S. chain of convenience stores located primarily in eastern Upstate New York and southwestern Vermont.Headquartered in Saratoga Springs, the company is well-established, particularly in the Capital District...
, a popular convenience store chain that is an employee and family-owned business dealing in milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline, and more is based out of Saratoga Springs with a distribution center in Greenfield Center. Stewart's now has over 300 stores throughout New York and Vermont. Perhaps the most recognized of all businesses in Saratoga Springs is the Saratoga Spring Water Co. (a division of Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V. is a Belgian-Brazilian publicly-traded company, based in Leuven, Belgium. It is the largest global brewer with nearly 25% global market share and one of the world's top five consumer products companies by EBITA....
) on Geyser Road. Since 1872, Americans have been enjoying this popular bottled mineral water whose blue glass bottle is still its trademark to this day.
Horse Racing
The city is perhaps best known for the Saratoga Race CourseSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
which opened on August 3, 1863. The first track was located across Union Avenue (at the present Oklahoma Training Track location) from the present Saratoga Race Course, which opened the following year. Founded by John Hunter and William R. Travers
William R. Travers
William Riggin Travers was an American lawyer who made a fortune on Wall Street. A well-known cosmopolite and high liver, Travers was a member of 27 private clubs, according to Cleveland Amory in his book Who Killed Society?-Biography:He was born in 1819.Along with John Hunter, in 1863 he founded...
, the thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
track is the oldest continuously-operating sporting event of any kind in the United States. The track holds a summer meet lasting six weeks, from late July to Labor Day, that attracts the top horses, jockeys, and trainers in America. The meet features a number of major stakes races, with the Travers Stakes, a Grade I race, being the most important of America's summer horse races. 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 Casino and Raceway, a harness (Standardbred) racetrack that includes a video gaming facility, the Racino.
The Springs
Before racing began in Saratoga, the area's natural mineral springs had been attracting summertime visitors for many decades. These springs were believed to have healing powers. 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 covered by small pavilions and marked by plaques; others, however, are less conspicuous, sometimes just a spigot in a rock. The springs are famous for their varied and distinct tastes: some are clear freshwater, others are saltier, and some taste strongly of a certain mineral such as sodium bicarbonate or sodium chloride. There is a sulfur odor but mineral analysis of the water consistently shows almost no presence of dissolved sulfur, because the sulfur is in the form of the gas hydrogen sulfideHydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless, very poisonous, flammable gas with the characteristic foul odor of expired eggs perceptible at concentrations as low as 0.00047 parts per million...
, which degasses from the water very quickly. Visitors are welcome to bottle the spring water for personal consumption.
The springs include:
- 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
- State Seal
Arts and Entertainment
The Saratoga Performing Arts CenterSaratoga Performing Arts Center
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is an amphitheater in Saratoga Springs, New York, which presents summer festivals of all kinds of music , dance, and opera, as well as a Wine & Food Festival...
(known by its acronym "SPAC," rhymes with "snack") is a covered outdoor amphitheater located on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Spa State Park is a state park located in Saratoga County, New York in the USA. The park is in the City of Saratoga Springs, near US 9 and NY 50.-History:...
, 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
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
and the New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
, 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 the "Home Made Theater" as well as Opera Saratoga
Opera Saratoga
Opera Saratoga is a professional opera company based in Saratoga Springs, New York. It performs an annual summer festival of three fully staged operas and operettas....
(formerly known as the Lake George Opera) during the summer.
There are several museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s in the area, including the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
. There are more than 20 golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s in the area.
The city is also notable for its vibrant night life. Caffè Lena
Caffè Lena
Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the United States. Founded in 1960 by Bill and Lena Spencer, it features acoustic concerts and cultural events showcasing folk music, traditional music, and singer-songwriters of a wide range...
was one of the first venues in the Eastern US at which Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
performed, in 1961. Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Davy Guthrie is an American folk singer. Like his father, Woody Guthrie, Arlo often sings songs of protest against social injustice...
played at Cafè Lena early in his career and has returned for occasional benefit concerts, and singer Don McLean
Don McLean
Donald "Don" McLean is an American singer-songwriter. He is most famous for the 1971 album American Pie, containing the renowned songs "American Pie" and "Vincent".-Musical roots:...
was also a frequent performer early in his career (contrary to a popular legend, Mr. McLean has stated that his song "American Pie" was not composed at a table in the Tin & Lint, a bar on Caroline Street). Numerous other establishments exist on Broadway, Caroline Street(the Hamilton district), and the redeveloped Putnam Street.
Recently, Beekman Street (four blocks West of Broadway), once the center of a lower class residential neighborhood, has become an art district, housing four galleries, a restaurant, 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 of the tourism economy of the city, and were traditionally segregated to this once-remote quarter.
Saratoga Springs is also home to Yaddo
Yaddo
Yaddo is an artists' community located on a 400 acre estate in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its mission is "to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment."...
, a 400 acre (1.62 km²; 0.625000552608715 sq mi) artists' community, founded by the great Wall Street financier, Spencer Trask
Spencer Trask
Spencer Trask was an American financier, philanthropist, and venture capitalist. Beginning in the 1870s, Trask began investing and supporting entrepreneurs, including Thomas Edison's invention of the electric light bulb and his electricity network...
and his wife, the author Katrina Trask
Katrina Trask
Katrina Trask , also known as Kate Nichols Trask, was an American author and philanthropist.- Life account :She was born Kate Nichols in Brooklyn, New York to George Little Nichols and Christina Mary Cole...
. Since its inception in 1900, Yaddo has been home to 60 Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning authors and one Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
winner. Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist and short story writer. Born in Massachusetts, she studied at Smith College and Newnham College, Cambridge before receiving acclaim as a professional poet and writer...
, Truman Capote
Truman Capote
Truman Streckfus Persons , known as Truman Capote , was an American author, many of whose short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's and the true crime novel In Cold Blood , which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At...
, and David Sedaris
David Sedaris
David Sedaris is a Grammy Award-nominated American humorist, writer, comedian, bestselling author, and radio contributor....
have all been artists-in-residence. The Yaddo grounds are adjacent to the backstretch of the Saratoga Race Course.
Movies and film
Saratoga Springs has graced the silver screen since the days of Clark GableClark Gable
William Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
and Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson was a Romanian-born American actor. A popular star during Hollywood's Golden Age, he is best remembered for his roles as gangsters, such as Rico in his star-making film Little Caesar and as Rocco in Key Largo...
. The following is a list of movies filmed in and around Saratoga Springs.
- SaratogaSaratoga-United States::*Saratoga, California, city in Santa Clara County*Saratoga, former name of Yeomet, California*Saratoga, Indiana, town in Randolph County*Saratoga, Minnesota*Saratoga, Nebraska Territory, boom and bust town now inside of Omaha, Nebraska...
1937 - Clark GableClark GableWilliam Clark Gable , known as Clark Gable, was an American film actor most famous for his role as Rhett Butler in the 1939 Civil War epic film Gone with the Wind, in which he starred with Vivien Leigh...
, Lionel BarrymoreLionel BarrymoreLionel Barrymore was an American actor of stage, screen and radio. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in A Free Soul...
, Jean HarlowJean HarlowJean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" , Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute... - LolitaLolitaLolita is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov, first written in English and published in 1955 in Paris and 1958 in New York, and later translated by the author into Russian...
1962 - James MasonJames MasonJames Neville Mason was an English actor who attained stardom in both British and American films. Mason remained a powerful figure in the industry throughout his career and was nominated for three Academy Awards as well as three Golden Globes .- Early life :Mason was born in Huddersfield, in the...
, Shelley WintersShelley WintersShelley Winters was an American actress who appeared in dozens of films, as well as on stage and television; her career spanned over 50 years until her death in 2006... - The Way We WereThe Way We WereThe Way We Were is a 1973 American romantic dramatic film co-starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford, directed by Sydney Pollack. The screenplay by Arthur Laurents was based on his college days at Cornell University and his experiences with the House Un-American Activities Committee.A box...
1973 - Robert RedfordRobert RedfordCharles Robert Redford, Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American actor, film director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival. He has received two Oscars: one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People, and one for Lifetime...
, Barbara Streisand - My Old ManMy Old Man (film)My Old Man is a 1979 television film directed by John Erman. The film is based on an Ernest Hemingway story that had previously been adapted for the 1950 film Under My Skin.-Plot:...
1979 - Kristy McNicholKristy McNicholChristina Ann "Kristy" McNichol is an American actress.McNichol is best known for her roles as Leticia “Buddy” Lawrence on the television drama series Family and as Barbara Weston on the sitcom Empty Nest. She is also the sister of former child actor Jimmy McNichol... - Paul's Case 1980 - Eric RobertsEric RobertsEric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
, Lindsay CrouseLindsay Crouse-Early life:Crouse was born in New York City, the daughter of Anna and Russel Crouse, a playwright. Her full name—Lindsay Ann Crouse—is an intentional tribute to the Broadway writing partnership of Lindsay and Crouse. Her father and his writing partner, Howard Lindsay, wrote much of... - Ghost StoryGhost Story (film)Ghost Story is a 1981 American horror film directed by John Irvin and based on the book of the same name by Peter Straub. It stars Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Houseman and Craig Wasson . It was the last film to feature Astaire, Fairbanks, and Douglas, and the first...
1981 - Fred AstaireFred AstaireFred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
, John HousemanJohn HousemanJohn Houseman was a Romanian-born British-American actor and film producer who became known for his highly publicized collaboration with director Orson Welles from their days in the Federal Theatre Project through to the production of Citizen Kane... - Billy BathgateBilly BathgateBilly Bathgate is a 1989 novel by author E. L. Doctorow that won the 1989 National Book Critics Circle award for fiction for 1990 and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, and was the runner up for the 1990 Pulitzer Prize...
1991 - Dustin HoffmanDustin HoffmanDustin Lee Hoffman is an American actor with a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960. He has been known for his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and vulnerable characters....
, Nicole KidmanNicole KidmanNicole Mary Kidman, AC is an American-born Australian actress, singer, film producer, spokesmodel, and humanitarian. After starring in a number of small Australian films and TV shows, Kidman's breakthrough was in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm... - Nobody's Fool 1994 - Paul NewmanPaul NewmanPaul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
, Bruce WillisBruce WillisWalter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles... - The Horse WhispererThe Horse WhispererThe Horse Whisperer is a 1998 American drama film directed by and starring Robert Redford, based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Nicholas Evans...
1998 - Robert RedfordRobert RedfordCharles Robert Redford, Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American actor, film director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival. He has received two Oscars: one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People, and one for Lifetime...
, Scarlett JohanssonScarlett JohanssonScarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World... - The Time MachineThe Time MachineThe Time Machine is a science fiction novella by H. G. Wells, published in 1895 for the first time and later adapted into at least two feature films of the same name, as well as two television versions, and a large number of comic book adaptations. It indirectly inspired many more works of fiction...
2002 - Guy PearceGuy PearceGuy Edward Pearce is an English-born Australian actor and musician, known for his roles as Leonard Shelby in Christopher Nolan's Memento, Lieutenant Ed Exley in L.A...
, Samantha MumbaSamantha MumbaSamantha Tamania Anne Cecilia Mumba is an Irish singer and actress.Her first album was released in 2000. Her most notable role was Mara in the 2002 film The Time Machine. She has also appeared in a number of Irish independent films.-Early life, education and early career:Mumba was born in Dublin,... - SeabiscuitSeabiscuitSeabiscuit was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse in the United States. From an inauspicious start, Seabiscuit became an unlikely champion and a symbol of hope to many Americans during the Great Depression...
2003 - Toby Maguire, Jeff BridgesJeff BridgesJeffrey Leon "Jeff" Bridges is an American actor and musician. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Otis "Bad" Blake in the 2009 film Crazy Heart.... - The SkepticThe Skeptic (film)The Skeptic is a 2009 American horror film written and directed by Tennyson Bardwell. Starring Tim Daly, Zoe Saldana, and Tom Arnold, and featuring Robert Prosky and Edward Hermann, it depicts the story of an attorney who inherits a seemingly haunted house, though he does not believe in the...
2009 - Tom ArnoldTom Arnold (actor)Thomas Dwaine "Tom" Arnold is an American actor and comedian. He has appeared in many films, perhaps most notably True Lies . He was the host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years.-Early life:...
, Zoe SaldanaZoe SaldanaZoe Saldana , sometimes stylized Zoë Saldaña, is an American actress. She had her breakthrough role in the 2000 film Center Stage and later gained prominence for her roles as Anamaria in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Uhura in the 2009 film Star Trek, and a starring role... - A Dog YearA Dog YearA Dog Year is a 2008 film directed by first time director George LaVoo starring Jeff Bridges.The film is based on the memoir by Jon Katz and adapted by LaVoo, the story centers on a man having a midlife crisis whose life is turned upside down when he takes in a border collie crazier than he...
2009 - Jeff BridgesJeff BridgesJeffrey Leon "Jeff" Bridges is an American actor and musician. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Otis "Bad" Blake in the 2009 film Crazy Heart....
, Lauren Ambrose - Ass Backwards 2011 - Jon CryerJon CryerJonathan Niven "Jon" Cryer is an American actor, screenwriter and film producer. He is the son of actress–singer Gretchen Cryer. He made his motion picture debut in the 1984 romantic comedy No Small Affair, but gained greater fame as "Duckie" in the 1986 John Hughes-scripted film Pretty in Pink...
, Alicia SilverstoneAlicia SilverstoneAlicia Silverstone is an American actress, author, and former fashion model. She first came to widespread attention in music videos for Aerosmith, and is perhaps best known for her roles in Hollywood films such as Clueless and her portrayal of Batgirl in Batman & Robin .-Early life:Silverstone...
For more on movies, see "In Pop Culture" below.
Education
Empire State CollegeEmpire State College
Empire State College, one of the thirteen arts and science colleges of the State University of New York, is a multi-site institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. It is primarily oriented towards the adult learner...
and Skidmore College
Skidmore College
Skidmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The college is located in the town of Saratoga Springs, New York State....
are both located in Saratoga Springs. During the summer, Skidmore is one of several hosts for the Johns Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth
Center for Talented Youth
The Center for Talented Youth is a gifted education program for school-age children, founded in 1979 by Dr. Julian Stanley at Johns Hopkins University. It was initially a research study of the rate at which gifted children can learn new material and became the first program of its kind to identify...
. Eastern Nazarene College
Eastern Nazarene College
The Eastern Nazarene College is a private, coeducational college of the liberal arts and sciences in Quincy, Massachusetts near Boston, in the New England region of the United States. Known for its strong religious affiliation, distinctive liberal arts core curriculum, and excellence in science...
, located in Quincy
Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, was founded in Saratoga Springs as the "Pentecostal Collegiate Institute and Biblical Seminary" at the turn of the 20th century.
The Saratoga Springs City School District is made up of:
- Six elementary schools (kindergarten through grade five) — Lake Avenue, Caroline Street, Division Street and Geyser Road in the City of Saratoga Springs; Greenfield in the Town of Greenfield; and Dorothy Nolan in the Town of Wilton
- One middle school (grades six through eight) — Maple Avenue Middle School in the Town of Greenfield
- One high school (grades nine through twelve) — Saratoga Springs High SchoolSaratoga Springs High SchoolSaratoga Springs High School is a public high school in Saratoga Springs, New York. The school was originally located on Lake Avenue, but was relocated to its current location prior to 1969. The current campus was renovated in 2002 and is a state-of-the-art facility. The school is well known for...
located on on the West side on Blue Streak Boulevard in the City of Saratoga Springs.
Dr. Janice M. White is Superintendent of the Saratoga Springs City School District; Assistant Superintendents are Kurt Jaeger (Business), Thomas Mele (Elementary Education) and Michael Piccirillo (Secondary Education). The school Board is made up of Mia Pfitzer (President), Regina Gapczynski (Vice President), Russell Danforth, Ernest Gailor, Steve Grandin, Frank Palumbo, Charles Phillips, Jeffrey Piro, and Jay Rifenbary; school board members serve three-year terms.
Private schools in Saratoga Springs include Saratoga Central Catholic High School
Saratoga Central Catholic High School
Saratoga Central Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.-Background:...
, St. Clement's Regional Catholic School, The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, and Saratoga Independent School.
Saratogians
Actors- David Hyde PierceDavid Hyde PierceDavid Hyde Pierce is an American actor and comedian best known for playing psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier, for which he received many accolades including four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.-Early life:Pierce, the youngest of four siblings,...
, 1977 Saratoga Springs High School graduate and winner of the Yaddo Medal - Monty WoolleyMonty WoolleyMonty Woolley was an American stage, film, radio, and television actor. At the age of 50, he achieved a measure of stardom for his best-known role in the stage play and 1942 film The Man Who Came to Dinner...
, American actor, best known for his role in the play The Man Who Came to DinnerThe Man Who Came to DinnerThe Man Who Came to Dinner is a comedy in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It debuted on October 16, 1939 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. It then enjoyed a number of New York and London revivals. The first London production was staged at The Savoy Theatre starring Robert...
. Woolley was nominated twice for the Academy Award, as Best Actor in 1943 for The Pied Piper and as Best Supporting Actor in 1945 for Since You Went Away; he also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He grew up in Saratoga Springs, where is father managed the Grand Union HotelGrand Union Hotel (Saratoga Springs, New York)The Grand Union Hotel was located on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, New York. The hotel began as a boarding house, built by Gideon Putnam in 1802, but grew into the world's largest hotel, before it was demolished in 1953....
. - Scott ValentineScott ValentineScott Eugene Valentine is an American actor.-Life and career:Valentine was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, the son of Beverly Ann and Edward Eugene Valentine. He began to pursue acting one year into his college education, attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York...
, television (Family Ties) and motion picture actor, graduate of Saratoga Springs High School - Charles BrackettCharles BrackettCharles William Brackett was an American novelist, screenwriter, and film producer.-Biography:Born on November 26, 1892 in Saratoga Springs, New York, Charles William Brackett was the son of New York State Senator, lawyer, and banker Edgar Truman Brackett...
, Hollywood screenwriter and producer - Dave CummingsDave CummingsDave Cummings is considered the oldest American still-performing professional porn star....
, Adult Hall of Fame performer, grew up in Saratoga Springs
Sports Figures
- Moira D'Andrea, Olympic Speed Skater; Skated in two Olympics and seven World Championships, 1986 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School.
- Dottie Pepper-NormoyleDottie PepperDottie Pepper is an American professional golfer and television golf broadcaster. From 1988 to 1995 she competed as Dottie Mochrie, which was her married name before a divorce...
, golfer; 1983 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, daughter of Major League basketball player Don Pepper - Anthony WeaverAnthony WeaverAnthony Lee Weaver is a former American football defensive end. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Weaver played high school football for the Saratoga Springs High School Blue Streaks in Saratoga Springs, NY...
, football player; former defensive end with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
and Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, 1998 Saratoga Springs High School graduate - Tim StaufferTim StaufferTimothy James Stauffer is an American professional baseball pitcher with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He was born in Portland, Maine....
, Major League Baseball pitcher in the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
system; attended Saratoga Central Catholic High SchoolSaratoga Central Catholic High SchoolSaratoga Central Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.-Background:...
. - Kathleen KauthKathleen KauthKathleen Kauth is an American ice hockey player, formerly playing for the Brampton Thunder, when they were affiliated with the NWHL.-USA Hockey:...
, hockey player; 2006 Olympic bronze medalist; currently plays for the NWHLNational Women's Hockey LeagueThe National Women's Hockey League was a women's ice hockey league. This League was in service between 1999 and 2007.-History:The NWHL superseded the old Central Ontario Women's Hockey League in 1998-99. After the old COWHL dropped down to three teams in 1997-98, the new league expanded to...
's Brampton ThunderBrampton ThunderThe Brampton Canadettes-Thunder is an ice hockey team in the Canadian Women's Hockey League. The Canadettes-Thunder play its home games at the Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario.-Team history:... - Justin MorrowJustin MorrowJustin Morrow is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
, figure-skater; two-time national ice-dancing medalist; 2005 Saratoga Springs High School graduate - Bill ParcellsBill ParcellsDuane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
, retired footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach; owns a summer/retirement home overlooking a local golf course - Jerry BaileyJerry BaileyJerry D. Bailey is a retired American Hall of Fame jockey. He began his racing career in November 1974. His first mount was on a horse named Pegged Rate, who ran off the board. He notched his first career win the next day on his second career mount, Fetch, at New Mexico's Sunland Park, and has...
, Retired Jockey - Giana RobergeGiana RobergeGiana Roberge is an American female road cycle racer from who after retiring from professional cycling in 1999 due to a heart condition, began another successful career as a team director, leading the Saturn Women's road team to become one of the most successful teams in the world...
, professional cyclist; 2004 Master's World Time-Trial Champion; former owner of Paradox Bicycle Center on Church St.; Skidmore graduate - Robbie DavisRobbie DavisRobbie Glen Davis is a retired American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.-Early life:Davis grew up in a single parent household forced onto welfare, something that would impact him for the rest of his life....
, Retired Jockey
Musicians
- Dorian CrozierDorian Crozier- Drummer :A session drummer whose credits include Pink, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, the film Rent, Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys, and David Cook...
, drummer who has sat in with Five for FightingFive for FightingFive for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
and The RembrandtsThe RembrandtsThe Rembrandts are an American pop-rock duo formed by Phil Solem and Danny Wilde in 1989. They had previously worked together as members of Great Buildings in 1981...
; 1989 Saratoga Springs High School graduate - The FiggsFiggsThe Figgs are a rock band out of Saratoga Springs, New York. First formed in 1987 , their output has included at least nine traditional full length albums , multiple EPs and singles, a live album, and gigs backing Graham Parker since 1996 and on Graham's 2005 release Songs of No Consequence, as...
, a band formed in 1987 by Mike GentMike GentMike Gent Songwriter, Guitar, and Vocals in The Figgs since 1987. Also plays with Graham Parker, Candy Butchers.Solo Discography*1999 Received*2003 The Intake*2009 Mike GentFiggs Discography*Ginger - Absolute A Go Go - 1992...
, Pete Donnelly, and Guy Lyons, 1989 and 1990 Saratoga Springs High School graduates - Dave Luetkenhoelter, bass player for KutlessKutlessKutless is a Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1999. Since their formation, they have released six studio albums including their latest, It Is Well. The band has also released a live album, Live from Portland. Currently, they have sold almost 2 million records.-Biography:Formed in...
; lived in Saratoga Springs for a short time during high school - Sarah PedinottiSarah PedinottiSarah Pedinotti is an American songwriter and musician from Saratoga Springs, NY. She is the lead singer and songwriter of the band Railbird . She has also released three albums under her own name. In 2005 her album, One Mirror, was listed by Billboard Magazine editor Thom Duffy as one of the ten...
, young jazz singer with albums positively review by Billboard Magazine - Utah PhillipsUtah PhillipsBruce Duncan "Utah" Phillips was a labor organizer, folk singer, storyteller, poet and the "Golden Voice of the Great Southwest". He described the struggles of labor unions and the power of direct action, self-identifying as an anarchist...
, while not a native, began his career as a professional musician while living in Saratoga - Scott Underwood, drummer for and member of TrainTrain (band)Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
; 1990 Saratoga Springs High School graduate
Other Notable People
- Justin Michael JenkinsJustin Michael JenkinsJustin Michael Jenkins is an American artist. He is also an author and designer. He achieved college success in athletics for West Virginia University and became a successful artist at the university. He has worked as an artist and webmaster for Susan Polgar, former Women's World Chess Champion...
, artist, designer for Susan PolgarSusan PolgarSusan Polgar is a Hungarian-American chess Grandmaster...
; 1989 Saratoga Springs High School graduate - Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
, died of cancer in 1885 at his cottage on Mt. McGregor just north of Saratoga Springs. - James Howard KunstlerJames Howard KunstlerJames Howard Kunstler is an American author, social critic, public speaker, and blogger. He is best known for his books The Geography of Nowhere , a history of American suburbia and urban development, and the more recent The Long Emergency , where he argues that declining oil production is likely...
, writer and social critic - Gene MarkeyGene MarkeyEugene Willford "Gene" Markey was an American author, producer, screenwriter, and highly decorated naval officer.-Biography:...
, screenwriter, producer, U.S. Naval officer - Steven MillhauserSteven MillhauserSteven Millhauser is an American novelist and short story writer. He won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel Martin Dressler. The prize brought many of his older books back into print.-Life and career:...
, writer, winner of 1997 Pulitzer Prize. - Solomon NorthupSolomon NorthupSolomon Northup was a free-born African-American mulatto. He was born in Minerva, Essex County, New York. He disappeared in 1863.-Family history:...
, abolitionist and author of Twelve Years a SlaveTwelve Years a SlaveTwelve Years a Slave is the written work of Solomon Northup - a man who was born free, but was bound into slavery later in life.-Synopsis:The book, which was originally published in 1853, tells...
; born a free man but kidnapped into slavery, eventually regaining freedom in 1853 - Jane RobertsJane RobertsJane Roberts was an American author, poet, psychic and spirit medium, who said she had "channeled" a personality she called "Seth". Her publication of the Seth texts, known as the "Seth Material", established her as one of the preeminent figures in the world of paranormal phenomena...
, author, psychic and trance medium or spirit medium. - Nick SteeleNick SteeleNick Steele is a celebrity fashion stylist known for his work with Claire Danes, Beyonce Knowles and a variety of other high profile clients. - Early life :...
, noted fashion stylist; has worked with Beyoncé, Katie Couric and many others; grew up in Saratoga and his family still resides there - Marylou WhitneyMarylou WhitneyMarylou Whitney is a noted philanthropist and a prominent socialite...
, socialite; maintains a home at Cady Hill - Frank SullivanFrank Sullivan (writer)Frank Sullivan was an American humorist, best remembered for creating the character Mr. Arbuthnot the Cliche Expert....
, writer; The New Yorker - George CrumGeorge CrumGeorge "Speck" Crum , son of "a mulatto jockey and an Indian maid", according to a menu used at Moon's Lake House, was the cook at Moon's Lake House, a resort at the south end of the lake in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA...
, inventor of the potato chip; a Native American/African American chef at Moon's Lake House - Dr. Charles F. DowdCharles F. DowdCharles F. Dowd was a co-principal of the Temple Grove Ladies Seminary in Saratoga Springs, New York. He was the first person to propose multiple time zones for any country, those for the railways of the United States...
, one of the inventors of Standard Time that is in use today - Ransom CookRansom CookRansom Cook was an inventor who lived much of his life in Saratoga Springs, New York. He was born in Wallingford, Connecticut in 1794. His family moved to the village of East Line around 1802, where his father opened a furniture shop....
, inventor of the Cook Auger, or "Beetle Bit" - John McPhersonJohn McPhersonJohn McPherson was a Scottish footballer who played for Kilmarnock and Rangers.-Early career:Born in Kilmarnock, McPherson started his career with his local side Kilmarnock F.C., moved to Cowlairs in 1888, then joined Rangers in 1890...
, Internationally syndicated cartoonist, creator of the comic Close to HomeClose to Home (comic strip)Close to Home is a daily, one-panel comic strip by John McPherson that debuted in 1992. The comic strip features no ongoing plot, but is instead a collection of one-shot jokes covering a number of subjects that are "close to home," such as marriage, children, school, work, sports, health and home...
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. The Saratoga Springs City Council members for 2010 are:- Mayor - Scott T. Johnson
- Deputy Mayor - Shauna Sutton
- Commissioner of Public Safety - Richard Wirth
- Commissioner of Public Works - Anthony "Skip" Scirocco
- Commissioner of Accounts - John P. Franck
- Commissioner of Finance - Kenneth Ivins, Jr.
- Saratoga County Board of Supervisors - Joanne Yepsen, Matthew Veitch
Transportation
The closest scheduled air service is available at Albany International Airport (ALB)Albany International Airport
Albany International Airport is a public use airport located six nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Albany, in Albany County, New York, United States. It is owned by the Albany County Airport Authority....
. There is also a general aviation facility, Saratoga County Airport (5B2)
Saratoga County Airport
Saratoga County Airport is a county-owned public-use airport located three miles southwest of the central business district of Saratoga Springs, a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States...
, located west of city limits in the Town of Milton
Milton (town), New York
Milton is a town in Saratoga County, New York, USA. The population was 17,103 at the 2000 census. Some believe that the town was named after the poet, John Milton, while other sources state that it is a shortening of "Mill-town" for the early mill activity....
.
Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Saratoga Springs, operating its Adirondack
Adirondack (Amtrak)
The Adirondack is a passenger train operated daily by Amtrak between New York City and Montreal. The trip takes approximately 11 hours to cover a published distance of , traveling through the scenic Hudson Valley and the Adirondack Mountains...
daily in both directions between Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Ethan Allen Express
Ethan Allen Express
The Ethan Allen Express is a 241-mile passenger train operated by Amtrak between New York City and Rutland, Vermont, via Albany. The total trip is scheduled to be completed in 5.5 hours. Its operations are subsidized by the State of Vermont, and the train is popular among vacationers travelling...
daily in both directions between Rutland, Vermont and New York City. The local station was built in 1956, but dramatically rehabilitated in 2004. The 6400 square feet (594.6 m²) passenger area contains a coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
shop/newsstand, mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
s, an automated teller machine
Automated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
, a visitors information kiosk, outside patio area and benches, and a children’s play area. The station serves about 23,000 passengers every year.
Greyhound Bus Lines also serves the city frequently, sending buses every few hours towards Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
or Montreal. The city Amtrak station also serves as the Greyhound Bus Lines & Adirondack Trailways Bus Lines station. The city is also served by the Capital District Transportation Authority
Capital District Transportation Authority
The Capital District Transportation Authority is a public benefit organization that provides transportation in the Capital District of New York State...
, which also provides service from Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
via Route 50
New York State Route 50
New York State Route 50 is a state highway in the Capital District of New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 5 in Scotia...
daily, and weekday service to Albany via the Northway Express line.
Long-distance motorists generally reach Saratoga via I-87
Interstate 87
Interstate 87 is a Interstate Highway located entirely within New York State in the United States of America. I-87 is the longest intrastate Interstate highway in the Interstate Highway System. Its southern end is at the Bronx approaches of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City...
, 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 from the south. Exit 15 serves Skidmore College
Skidmore College
Skidmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The college is located in the town of Saratoga Springs, New York State....
, downtown if coming from the north, and the shopping malls just north of city limits.
In popular culture
- Saratoga Springs has been the setting or a shooting location for a number of films:
- SaratogaSaratoga (film)Saratoga is a 1937 film written by Anita Loos and directed by Jack Conway. The movie stars Clark Gable and Jean Harlow in their sixth and final film collaboration....
(1937) — Notable for being leading lady Jean HarlowJean HarlowJean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" , Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute...
's last film; Harlow collapsed on set during filming and died. Racing scenes were filmed at the Saratoga Race CourseSaratoga Race CourseSaratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
. - Saratoga TrunkSaratoga TrunkSaratoga Trunk is a 1945 film written by Edna Ferber and Casey Robinson, based on Ferber's best-selling novel of the same name. It stars Gary Cooper, Ingrid Bergman, Florence Bates, and Flora Robson, who was nominated for a Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance.-Plot:Ingrid Bergman played a...
(1945) - My Old ManMy Old Man (film)My Old Man is a 1979 television film directed by John Erman. The film is based on an Ernest Hemingway story that had previously been adapted for the 1950 film Under My Skin.-Plot:...
(1979) — Made-for-TV movie, based on an Ernest Hemingway story, was filmed at Saratoga Race Course, various locations in Saratoga Springs, and throughout Saratoga County. It starred Kristy McNicholKristy McNicholChristina Ann "Kristy" McNichol is an American actress.McNichol is best known for her roles as Leticia “Buddy” Lawrence on the television drama series Family and as Barbara Weston on the sitcom Empty Nest. She is also the sister of former child actor Jimmy McNichol...
, Warren Oates and Eileen Brennan. - Ghost StoryGhost Story (film)Ghost Story is a 1981 American horror film directed by John Irvin and based on the book of the same name by Peter Straub. It stars Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Houseman and Craig Wasson . It was the last film to feature Astaire, Fairbanks, and Douglas, and the first...
(1981) — The houses on North Broadway were used as homes in this film. Cast included Fred Astaire, John Houseman, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. - Billy BathgateBilly Bathgate (film)Billy Bathgate is a 1991 American crime film directed by Robert Benton, starring Loren Dean as the titular character and Dustin Hoffman as gangster Dutch Schultz. The film co-stars Nicole Kidman, Steven Hill, Steve Buscemi, and Bruce Willis. It is based on the novel of the same name by E.L....
(1991) — The Nicole KidmanNicole KidmanNicole Mary Kidman, AC is an American-born Australian actress, singer, film producer, spokesmodel, and humanitarian. After starring in a number of small Australian films and TV shows, Kidman's breakthrough was in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm...
dancing scene was shot at the Hall of Springs. - The Horse WhispererThe Horse WhispererThe Horse Whisperer is a 1998 American drama film directed by and starring Robert Redford, based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Nicholas Evans...
(1998) — Special effects for the horse and rider accident were shot at the southern end of Saratoga Spa State ParkSaratoga Spa State ParkSaratoga Spa State Park is a state park located in Saratoga County, New York in the USA. The park is in the City of Saratoga Springs, near US 9 and NY 50.-History:...
. Also, a room at the Gideon Putnam Hotel was made into a shoddier motel room. - SeabiscuitSeabiscuit (film)Seabiscuit is a 2003 American biographical film based on the best-selling non-fiction book Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand...
(2003) — Racing scenes shot at the Saratoga Race Course in November 2002. The front and inside of the Canfield Casino in Congress Park doubled as the interior of the Maryland Jockey ClubMaryland Jockey ClubThe Maryland Jockey Club is a sporting organization dedicated to horse racing, founded in Annapolis in 1743. The Jockey Club was founded more than 30 years before the start of the Revolutionary War and is chartered as the oldest sporting organization in North America...
. - Aftermath (2008) — Chris PennChris PennChristopher Shannon "Chris" Penn was an American film and television actor known for his roles in such films as The Wild Life, Reservoir Dogs, Footloose, Rush Hour, True Romance, All the Right Moves and Pale Rider.-Early life:Penn was born in Los Angeles, California, the youngest son of Leo Penn,...
's last film
- Saratoga
- In the pilot episode of the 1960s sitcom Green AcresGreen AcresGreen Acres is an American television series starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a country farm...
, it was noted that Eddie AlbertEddie AlbertEdward Albert Heimberger , known professionally as Eddie Albert, was an American actor and activist. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1954 for his performance in Roman Holiday, and in 1973 for The Heartbreak Kid.Other well-known screen roles of his include Bing...
's character of Oliver Wendell Douglas was born in Saratoga Springs. - The 1971 song "American Pie" by Don McLeanDon McLeanDonald "Don" McLean is an American singer-songwriter. He is most famous for the 1971 album American Pie, containing the renowned songs "American Pie" and "Vincent".-Musical roots:...
was not written at the Tin and Lint bar on Caroline Street, according to Mr. McLean (see the citation above). - In the 1972 Carly SimonCarly SimonCarly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
song "You're So VainYou're So Vain"You're So Vain" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon and released in December 1972. The song is a critical profile of a self-absorbed lover; Simon asserts "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you." The subject's identity has been the matter of speculation, fueled by...
" the singer references horseracing in Saratoga Springs: "Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga, and your horse naturally won...." - Saratoga Springs was the setting for a radio soap opera by the same name, created by ZBSZBSZBS stands for* ZBS Foundation* Zugbeeinflussungssystem S-Bahn Berlin...
and written by Meatball Fulton. The 1989 series was produced as 90 four-minute daily episodes for National Public Radio. The story incorporates Saratoga Springs historical facts and utilizes local actors as well as ZBS regulars. Lena Spencer of Caffe LenaCaffè LenaLocated in Saratoga Springs, New York, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the United States. Founded in 1960 by Bill and Lena Spencer, it features acoustic concerts and cultural events showcasing folk music, traditional music, and singer-songwriters of a wide range...
is listed as playing herself. A "Best of Saratoga Springs" compilation (c. 2004) can be purchased from ZBS (www.zbs.org). During spring and early summer, 2007, the original four-minute episodes were podcast by ZBS. - It is believed that potato chips were invented in Saratoga Springs, by Native AmericanNative Americans in the United StatesNative Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
/African American chef George CrumGeorge CrumGeorge "Speck" Crum , son of "a mulatto jockey and an Indian maid", according to a menu used at Moon's Lake House, was the cook at Moon's Lake House, a resort at the south end of the lake in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA...
, at Moon's Lake House on August 24, 1853. - Walt Disney World ResortWalt Disney World ResortWalt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
has a themed resort called Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & SpaDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & SpaDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is the seventh Disney Vacation Club resort and is situated on the former site of the Disney Institute. It first opened May 17, 2004 and was built in three phases. It is now the...
, inspired by this city. Additionally, the Walt Disney World RailroadWalt Disney World RailroadThe Walt Disney World Railroad is a narrow gauge railroad circling the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. Operated by Main Street Operations, the gauge, 1.5-mile railroad circles the entire park with stations at Main Street, U.S.A. and Frontierland, and formerly at the...
station at Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic KingdomMagic KingdomMagic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
was modeled after and closely resembles the former Victorian era railroad depot that once stood in downtown Saratoga Springs. - The club sandwich was invented in Saratoga Springs in 1894.
- The James Bond novel, Diamonds are ForeverDiamonds Are Forever (novel)Diamonds Are Forever is the fourth of Ian Fleming's James Bond series of novels. It was first published by Jonathan Cape in the UK on 26 March 1956 and the first print run of 12,500 copies sold out quickly...
contained several scenes set in Saratoga Springs and its racecourse. - In the song Adelaide's LamentAdelaide's Lament"Adelaide's Lament" is a show tune from the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls, written by Frank Loesser, which opened at the 46th Street Theatre on November 24, 1950...
in the 1950 Broadway Musical Guys and DollsGuys and DollsGuys and Dolls is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure", two short stories by Damon Runyon, and also borrows characters and plot elements from other Runyon stories, most notably...
, Adelaide, who has an eternal cold caused by her fiancee's refusal to finally marry, sings "When they get on that train to Niagara, she can hear church bells chime, the compartment is air-conditioned, the mood sublime, then they get off at Saratoga, for the fourteenth time, a person can develop la grippe!"
Sister cities
VichyVichy
Vichy is a commune in the department of Allier in Auvergne in central France. It belongs to the historic province of Bourbonnais.It is known as a spa and resort town and was the de facto capital of Vichy France during the World War II Nazi German occupation from 1940 to 1944.The town's inhabitants...
(France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) since 1994 Chekhov, Moscow Oblast
Chekhov, Moscow Oblast
Chekhov is a town and the administrative center of Chekhovsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia. Before 1954, it was named Lopasnya , after the Lopasnya River. Population: 56,000 ....
(Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) since 2001 Waveland, Mississippi
Waveland, Mississippi
Waveland is a city located in Hancock County, Mississippi, on the Gulf of Mexico. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The City of Waveland was incorporated in 1972. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,674...
In the spring of 2006, Saratoga Springs decided to help out the people of Waveland in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
via a "Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
"-esque festival downtown.
See also
- Gideon PutnamGideon PutnamGideon Putnam was an entrepreneur and a founder of Saratoga Springs, New York. He also worked as a miller and built the city's Grand Union and Congress Hotels...
- Caffè LenaCaffè LenaLocated in Saratoga Springs, New York, Caffè Lena is the oldest continually running coffee house in the United States. Founded in 1960 by Bill and Lena Spencer, it features acoustic concerts and cultural events showcasing folk music, traditional music, and singer-songwriters of a wide range...
- Saratoga Performing Arts CenterSaratoga Performing Arts CenterThe Saratoga Performing Arts Center is an amphitheater in Saratoga Springs, New York, which presents summer festivals of all kinds of music , dance, and opera, as well as a Wine & Food Festival...
- List of Mayors of Saratoga Springs, New York
- Geyser CrestGeyser CrestGeyser Crest is a residential neighborhood within the city of Saratoga Springs, New York and the town of Milton. It is separated from downtown Saratoga Springs by Geyser Road and Route 50. Most of the neighborhood homes were built in the 1970s...
- Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & SpaDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & SpaDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is the seventh Disney Vacation Club resort and is situated on the former site of the Disney Institute. It first opened May 17, 2004 and was built in three phases. It is now the...
, a DisneyThe Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
resort inspired and designed like this city - Marcia WhiteMarcia WhiteMarcia White is the President and Executive Director of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a famous concert venue at Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, NY. She has been credited for revitalizing SPAC, which attracts many notable performers to the "Spa City" in Upstate New York...
, Executive Director of SPAC