Saratoga Springs

 

resort and residential city (1990 pop. 25,001), Saratoga co., E N.Y.; inc. as a village 1826, as a city 1915. Skidmore College is the largest source of employment, but the city also has light manufacturing. The last battle of the Saratoga campaign was fought near the city in 1777. The nearby Saratoga National Historical Park embraces the battlefield. After the American Revolution, as the fame of its carbonated mineral waters spread, the village became a health resort. In the 19th cent., Saratoga Springs was one of the most popular social and sporting centers in America. Horse racing, which continues to be one of its major attractions, was begun after 1863.

Of interest are the racetrack, racing museum and hall of fame, and many old buildings and homes, including the Casino (1867), a former gambling establishment that now houses two museums; Yaddo, the renowned artists' colony, is also there. An elaborate state-owned spa (1935) preserves and utilizes the waters and offers curative baths. Saratoga Spa state park, summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and, formerly, the New York City Ballet, is south of the city; the dance hall of fame and museum are also there. The State Univ. of New York's Empire State College is in the city.

City of Saratoga Springs
Downtown Saratoga Springs
Nickname: The Spa City
Motto: Health, History, Horses
Coordinates: 43°4′31″N 73°46′57″W / 43.07528, -73.7825
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Saratoga
Government
- Mayor	Valerie Keehn (D)
Area [1]
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
- Urban	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	12866
Area code(s)	518
FIPS code	36-65255
GNIS feature ID	0964489
Website: http://www.saratoga-springs.org

Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, USA. The population was 26,186 at the 2000 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American place name, authorities^[2] disagree on what the exact word was, and hence its meaning.

The City of Saratoga Springs is in the center of Saratoga County in upstate New York.

Government

The Saratoga Springs charter specifies a "commission" form of city government. Recent efforts to amend the charter to consolidate responsibilities with the mayor have as yet been unsuccessful.

• Mayor -- Valerie Keehn
• Commissioner of Public Safety -- Ron Kim
• Commissioner of Public Works -- Tom McTygue
• Commissioner of Accounts -- John Franck
• Commissioner of Finance -- Matt McCabe
• Saratoga County Board of Supervisors -- Joanne Yepsen, Cheryl Keyrouze

History

According to historical accounts, Sir William Johnson, British soldier and a hero of the French and Indian Wars, was brought to what would become the city by native friends in 1767 to treat war wounds at a spring thought to have medicinal properties. The spring is now known as High Rock Spring, and may be visited today.

The first permanent settler arrived around 1776, and a tourist trade swiftly grew, with hotels being constructed by such Revolutionary War luminaries as Gideon Putnam.

Saratoga Springs was established as a town in 1819 from a western portion of the Town of Saratoga. Its principal community was incorporated as a village in 1826 and the entire region became a city in 1915.

In the 19th Century, the community became famous as a spa.

The famous Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the American Revolution, did not take place in Saratoga Springs. Rather, the battlefield is 15 miles (24 km) to the southeast in the town of Stillwater.

Geography

Saratoga Springs is located at 43°4′31″N, 73°46′57″W (43.075337, -73.782422)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 75.3 km² (29.1 mi²). 73.6 km² (28.4 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (2.17%) is water.

The Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) and US Route 9 pass alongside and through the city. New York State Route 29, New York State Route 50, New York State Route 9N, and New York State Route 9P lead into Saratoaga Springs.

Saratoga Lake is southeast of the city.^{[citation needed]}

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 26,186 people, 10,784 households, and 5,985 families residing in the city. The population density was 355.6/km² (921.1/mi²). There were 11,584 housing units at an average density of 157.3/km² (407.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.53% White, 3.11% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.

There were 10,784 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 15.5% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,130, and the median income for a family was $59,281. Males had a median income of $39,573 versus $29,439 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,250. About 5.5% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Additional facts about Saratoga Springs

Racing

The city is perhaps most famous for the Saratoga Race Course, the oldest continuously-operating Thoroughbred track in the United States. The track holds a summer meet lasting approximately six weeks, from late July to Labor Day, every day but Tuesdays. The track season sees a dramatic influx of people into the city. Hotels fill to capacity, and many Saratogians rent out their homes.

Also located in the city is the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, a harness (Standardbred) racetrack that includes a video gaming facility, the Racino.

Culture

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (known by its acronym "SPAC," rhymes with "track") is a covered outdoor amphitheater located on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park, with a capacity of 5,000 in reserved seating and 20,000+ on its general admission lawn area. SPAC is the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet, and has hosted a weekend-long jazz festival for several decades. 2007 marks the second year of the annual Saratoga Native American Festival held on the grounds of SPAC. It is a stop for touring national recording artists: over 20 popular bands grace the stage every summer. Steps away on State Park grounds, the Spa Little Theater hosts a chamber music festival as well as the geographically-misdescriptive Lake George Opera Festival during the summer.

There are several museums in the area, including the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, and more than 20 golf courses.

The city is also notable for its vibrant night life. Caffè Lena was one of the first venues in the Eastern US at which Bob Dylan performed, in 1961. Arlo Guthrie played the Caffè early in his career and has returned for occasional benefit concerts. Singer Don McLean is said to have composed his "American Pie" sitting at a table in the Tin & Lint, a bar on Caroline Street. A plaque marks the table today. Numerous other establishments exist on Broadway, Caroline Street, and the redeveloped Putnam Street.

Recently, Beekman Street (four blocks west of Broadway) has become an art district, housing four galleries and a bistro. Artists live and work in co-ops and arrange social events. While many congratulate themselves on "revitalizing" a "deteriorating" area, others consider such declarations an insult to the generations of Saratogians of marginalized ethnicities that toiled in support the tourism economy of the city, and were traditionally segregated to this once-remote quarter.

Skidmore College is located in the north of the city. During the summer, Skidmore is one of several hosts for the Johns Hopkins' CTY program.

Saratoga Springs is also home to Yaddo, a 400 acre (1.6 km²) artists' community, founded by the great Wall Street financier, Spencer Trask and his wife, the author Katrina Trask. Since its inception in 1900, Yaddo has been home to 60 Pulitzer Prize winning authors and one Nobel Prize winner. Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, and David Sedaris have all been artists-in-residence. The Yaddo grounds are adjacent to the backstretch of the Saratoga Race Course.

It is believed that potato chips were invented in Saratoga Springs, by Native American/African American chef George Crum, at the Moon Lake Lodge on August 24, 1853.

Walt Disney World Resort has a theme resort called Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, inspired by this city.

Saratoga Springs was noted in The Hipster Handbook as one of the "college towns" where hipsters often dwell.

Notable Saratogians

Actors

• David Hyde Pierce, 1977 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate and winner of the Yaddo Medal
• Scott Valentine, grew up in Saratoga Springs

Sports Figures

• Kathleen Kauth, hockey player; 2006 Olympic bronze medalist; currently plays for the NWHL's Brampton Thunder
• Bill Parcells, retired football coach; owns a summer/retirement home overlooking a local golf course ^[3]
• Dottie Pepper, golfer
• Giana Roberge, professional cyclist; 2004 Master's World Time-Trial Champion; former owner of Paradox Bicycle Center on Church St.; Skidmore graduate
• Anthony Weaver, football player; defensive end with the Houston Texans, 1998 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate
• Nick Zito, thoroughbred horse trainer

Musicians

• Dorian Crozier, drummer who has sat in with Five for Fighting and The Rembrandts; 1989 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate
• The Figgs, a band formed in 1987 by Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly, and Guy Lyons, 1989 and 1990 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduates
• Dave Luetkenhoelter, bass player for Kutless; lived in Saratoga Springs for a short time during high school
• Sarah Pedinotti, young jazz singer with albums critically acclaimed by Billboard Magazine
• Utah Phillips, while not a native, began his career as a professional musician while living in Saratoga.
• Scott Underwood, drummer for and member of Train; 1990 Saratoga Springs Senior High School graduate

Other Notable People

• Justin Michael Jenkins, Artist, designer for Susan Polgar; 1989 Saratoga Springs Senior High School Graduate
• James Howard Kunstler, writer and social critic
• Solomon Northup, prominent abolitionist and author of Twelve Years a Slave; born a free man but kidnapped into slavery, eventually regaining freedom in 1853
• Nick Steele, noted fashion stylist; has worked with Beyoncé, Katie Couric and many others; grew up in Saratoga and his family still resides there
• Marylou Whitney, socialite; maintains a home at Cady Hill
• George Crum, inventor of the potato chip; a Native American/African American chef at the Moon Lake Lodge

Transportation

See also: Saratoga Springs (Amtrak station)

The closest scheduled air service is available at Albany International Airport (ALB). There is also a general aviation facility, Saratoga County Airport (5B2), located west city limits in the Town of Milton.

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Saratoga Springs, operating its Adirondack daily in both directions between Montreal and New York City and Ethan Allen Express daily in both directions between Rutland, Vermont and New York City. The local station was built in 1956, but dramatically rehabilitated in 2004. The 6,400 square foot passenger area contains a coffee shop/newsstand, murals, an automated teller machine, a visitors information kiosk, outside patio area and benches, and a children’s play area. The station serves about 23,000 passengers every year. The Adirondack and Ethan Allen Express trains stop in Saratoga.

Greyhound Bus Lines also serves the city frequently, sending buses every few hours towards Albany or Montreal. Its station is the Saratoga Diner on South Broadway, distinguished by a fiberglass statue of a young horse mounted on the roof of the building. The bus station is also served by the Capital District Transportation Authority. CDTA also provides service from Schenectady via Route 50 daily, and weekday service to Albany via the Northway Express line.^[4]

Long-distance motorists generally reach Saratoga via I-87, which north of Albany is known as the Adirondack Northway. Three exits access the city. Exit 13-S is optimal for reaching Saratoga Lake, and 13-N for SPAC, and the southern and western quadrants of the city. Visitors to the racetrack use Exit 14, which is also arguably best for reaching downtown. Exit 15 serves the shopping malls just north of city limits.

Saratoga Springs in popular culture

• Saratoga Springs has been the scene where a number of motion pictures were either filmed or were the setting thereof:
  • Saratoga (1937) — Also notable for being leading lady Jean Harlow's last film; Harlow collapsed on set during filming and died. Racing scenes were filmed at the Saratoga Race Course.^[5]
  • Ghost Story (1981) — The houses on North Broadway were used as homes in this film.^[6]
  • Billy Bathgate (1991) — The Nicole Kidman dancing scene was shot at the Hall of Springs.^[6]
  • The Horse Whisperer (1998) — Special effects for the horse and rider accident were shot at the southern end of Saratoga Spa State Park. Also, a room at the Gideon Putnam Hotel was made into a shoddier motel room.^[6]
  • Seabiscuit (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 Club.^[6]
• In the pilot episode of the 1960s sitcom Green Acres, Eddie Albert's character of Oliver Wendell Douglas was born in Saratoga Springs.
• In the 1972 Carly Simon song "You're So Vain" 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 ZBS 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 Lena 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.

Sister cities

Saratoga Springs has one sister city as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

• Chekhov, Moscow Oblast, Russia
• Waveland, Mississippi – In the fall of 2005, Saratoga Springs decided to help out the people of Waveland in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.^[7]

See also

• List of Mayors of Saratoga Springs, New York
• Geyser Crest
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, a Disney resort inspired and designed like this city

References

1. ^ US Census Bureau List of urbanized Areas
2. ^ Peck, Willys. "A Floating Scum Partisan Reveals Himself" (HTML), Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, 1998-04-29. Retrieved on 2007-03-20. 
3. ^ Humphries, Shawn. "How Bill Parcells Made Big Gains" (HTML), Golf Online, 2005-10-14. Retrieved on 2007-02-14. 
4. ^ Capital District Transportation Authority#Saratoga Service
5. ^ Saratoga (1937) (HTML). Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2007-04-01.
6. ^ ^{a b c d} Magical Movie Tour (PDF). Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on 2007-04-01.
7. ^ Diakopoulos, Christopher. "City looks to get new sister" (HTML), The Saratogian, 2006-04-27. Retrieved on 2006-09-07. 

External links

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• City of Saratoga Springs
• Saratoga Race Course
• Saratoga Gaming and Raceway Harness Track
• Discover Saratoga - official website of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau
• Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce tourist information
• Yaddo Artists' Community
• Saratoga Springs area information
• Local Saratoga Springs information
• SPAC homepage
• Saratoga Native American Festival web site
• Early history of SaratogaSprings
• Beekman Street Artists
• Arnold Rothstein's Saratoga
• The Saratoga National Historical Park web site
• Saratoga Springs-Chekhov twinning website
• New York State Heritage Areas
• National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame
• Saratoga Springs City Court information
• Saratoga Environmental Expo

Coordinates: 43.075337° N 73.782422° W

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