Late on the afternoon of September 11th, 1945, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jack Wilpers, a 25-year-old bookie’s son from Saratoga Springs, busted into the home of one of the United States’ most hated living persons. What he did over the next couple of hours would change history. [Read more…] about The New York Man Involved in the Capture of Tojo
Saratoga Springs
The Life and Death of Saratoga’s Statue to the 77th Regiment
During the American Civil War – which, despite attempts to argue otherwise, was in effect America’s crusade against slavery – several hundred thousand citizens from New York State enlisted in the United States Army.
Many from Saratoga County (and also some from Essex and Fulton Counties) joined the 77th Regiment, its unit number chosen to recall the 1777 Battle of Saratoga during the American Revolution. It was known as the “Bemis Heights Regiment,” the place so evocative of the “turning point” of the War of Independence. [Read more…] about The Life and Death of Saratoga’s Statue to the 77th Regiment
Saratoga’s Other Grand Hotel, The Clarendon
The United States Hotel in Saratoga Springs, built in 1824 on the southwest corner of Broadway and Division Street, grew over the years to have more than 500 rooms. On Sunday, June 18, 1865, the guests were preparing to take carriage rides out to Saratoga Lake, a favorite diversion of the time, when a fire broke out. The flames spread quickly, devouring the hotel in a spectacular blaze. A year later the community’s other massive hotel, Congress Hall was also destroyed by fire. [Read more…] about Saratoga’s Other Grand Hotel, The Clarendon
Saratoga Preservation Awards Nominations Sought
Each May at the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Annual Meeting, the Foundation celebrates National Preservation Month by recognizing building owners with Preservation Recognition Awards. Due to the uncertainty of the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, the call for nominations was delayed and the awards ceremony will not take place in person. Instead, the Foundation will announce award winners in June digitally. [Read more…] about Saratoga Preservation Awards Nominations Sought
Saratoga Preservation’s Porch Party Going Virtual
Traditionally, on the Saturday of Mother’s Day Weekend the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation hosts its Historic Homes Tour, their largest fundraiser of the year, as a way to celebrate the history and architecture of Saratoga Springs.
This year, due to social distancing guidelines, the Foundation will be hosting a Virtual Porch Party. [Read more…] about Saratoga Preservation’s Porch Party Going Virtual
When Ballston Spa Rivaled Saratoga Springs
One hundred and ninety-five years ago, on April 27,1825, Professor of Chemistry at Yale University Benjamin Silliman penned a letter to Harvey Loomis, proprietor of the Sans Souci Hotel in Ballston Spa.
It was subsequently printed in the Ballston Spa Gazette in August 1825, and copied in travelogues over the next several years. [Read more…] about When Ballston Spa Rivaled Saratoga Springs
Using the Bathroom: A Short History
The first photo here is of the Division Street end of the Saratoga Springs, NY, rail depot. Behind it looms the back wing of the United States Hotel, which ran two full blocks down to Broadway and then back again, enclosing several acres. [Read more…] about Using the Bathroom: A Short History
Dumb Waiters to Skyscrapers: Evolution of the Elevators
With the dawn of the 20th century came the race to build the tallest skyscrapers. Such wonders were made possible in part by the new technologies afforded by steel girders.
This was part of a trend which had its roots half a century earlier, in such behemoths as the record-breaking hotels of Saratoga Springs. The United States Hotel, seen in these photos, was the world’s largest structure when completed in 1871. This was surpassed only a few years later when the Grand Union was constructed next door. [Read more…] about Dumb Waiters to Skyscrapers: Evolution of the Elevators
Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Spring Auto Show
The Saratoga Automobile Museum has announced their annual Spring Auto Show and Family Fun Day is set for Saturday, May 16th at the Saratoga State Park. [Read more…] about Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Spring Auto Show
Saratoga Springs: A Gangster’s Paradise
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is set to host its second presentation on Saratoga gangsters with Greg Veitch on Thursday, February 27th. Veitch’s book A Gangster’s Paradise: Saratoga Springs from Prohibition to Kefauver recalls of a time of bootleggers and shootouts, raids and gambling dens, murder, and political payoffs in Saratoga Springs. [Read more…] about Saratoga Springs: A Gangster’s Paradise