Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York. The population was 26,186 at the 2000 census.[2] The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area.
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 York, which was settled shortly thereafter, and was known
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.
The famous Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the Revolutionary War, did not take place in Saratoga Springs. Rather, the battlefield is 15 miles (24 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 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 (75.3 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.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 26,186 people, 10,784 households, and 5,985 families residing in the city.
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.
The city is perhaps most famous for the Saratoga Race Course which opened on August 3, 1863. 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 horseraces. Hotels fill to capacity, and many Saratogians rent out their homes.
Also located in the city is the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, a harness racetrack that includes a video gaming facility, the Racino.
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (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.
There are several museums in the area, including the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. There are more than 20 golf courses.
The city is also notable for its vibrant night life.
Empire State College 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:
- 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 eighth) -- Maple Avenue Middle School in the Town of Wilton/Saratoga/Greenfield
- One high school (grades nine through 12th) -- Saratoga Springs High School located on Blue Streak Boulevard in the City of Saratoga Springs.
A few noteable Saratogians include actor David Hyde Pierce, retired football coach Bill Parcelsand musician Scott Underwood (drummer for the band “Train”)