I budgeted some time for my beloved blog! Thanks pandemic! This is another installment of 100 years ago in Saratoga Springs. Back in 1920, GE and the Chamber Of Commerce got together and forever illuminated Broadway and Congress Park. This all commenced with a celebration event called the Illumination Carnival June19th 1920 on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The event brought 50,000 people to Saratoga to witness, what was at the time, an amazing feat and feature to the town. It was just what Saratoga Springs needed to maintain a year round crop of tourist activity. Electric lights illuminating the main drags of town at the time, were not a regular feature for small towns like Saratoga Springs, so, for the time, it was an event to behold indeed. Gov. Walker made a short speech before he flipped the switch, saying "As the US stands in the vanguard of world powers today, NY is the greatest of states in the Union, and so, now, Saratoga leads the cities of the world in at least one respect, illumination, here, there is light!'' Then a parade of floats and masked revelers went up Broadway to Church Street and back down. The dimming of the lights signified the end of the celebration, though the party continued until dawn. Mind you, the Volstead Act was just established and prohibition was in full effect. Looking back, Saratoga was a party town regardless, it seems. I kinda love that quality in the people that inhabited this town in the past, they always acted free from moral legislation.
There were 53 lights installed in Congress Park, and 69 installed on Broadway. Here is some photos from within the park.
In preparation for the event, the streets were decorated with flags and "Illumination Sale" signs on storefronts.
As you can see, I found a nice cache of photos of the town, credits at the bottom, Here is some from a week before the festival, when the lamps were installed.
1919 was quite the year in sports for Saratoga Springs. Events in the Spa City garnered national attention, forever etching itself into sports history..... The players; Harry Payne Whitney Henry Ford Sinclair Arnold Rothstein
My last post, last year, was regarding fillies in horse racing, which I had mentioned the horse Regret, the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby (1915). Regret was owned by Harry Payne Whitney, who is the father of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, (CVW was Saratoga socialite Mary Lou Whitney's deceased husband, the Rt. 50 arterial is named after him). A few years later, Harry Payne Whitney also owned a horse named Upset, and shocked the world by beating an undefeated horse named Man o' War. Cheerful stuff huh, Regret and Upset, I guess they actually shared stables.
Man o' War was purchased from Augustus Belmont at Saratoga yearling sales by Sam Riddle. Augustus Belmont had joined the Army at 65 and went to fight in France during WWI, hence the name, Man o' War. Sam immediately began to race the colt to favorable outcomes. Man o'War remained undefeated for 6 starts until the 1919 Sanford Stakes where Upset beat Man o' War by a half length. Man o' War came back to beat Upset a few weeks later, but this race was Man o'War's only loss, at a final career stat at 21 wins-1 loss.
The term "Upset" remains to this day, meaning - a surprising victory by a person or team that was expected to lose. It should also be noted that both jockeys ( Knapp and Loftus) involved in the winning exacta were both suspended from racing and neither one ever did return to the saddle.
1919 World Series
1919 also saw the establishment of The Brook casino by legendary mob boss Arnold Rothstein, who set up shop in Saratoga. He was instrumental in bringing the gangsters up here, such as Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Seigel, and Meyer Lansky just to name a few. Rothstein worked with a local mobster named Jules Formel and DA Andrus to get things done around this small town. Check out my entry on this gent right here; http://briefingsfromaspacitymetalhead.blogspot.com/2015/08/mob-boss-arnold-rothstein-marries-in.html
Rothstein received a bet from Harry Payne Sinclair, (an oil baron who a few years later went to prison for the biggest gov't scandal of it's time) for $90,000 placed on the Chicago White Sox to win the 1919 World Series. Rothstein is rumoured to be the brains behind fixing the 1919 World Series. To everyone's dismay, including Sinclair, a huge "upset' occurred as the Reds won the series. It's known as the "Black Sox scandal" and there is a movie called "Eight Men Out'' that is about this happening.
Travers 1921
A few years later, 1921, Harry Payne Whitney entered his horse ''Prudery'' into the biggest race of the Saratoga meet, the Travers stakes. (Damn, that guy really had some choice horse names). Prudery had just won the Alabama stakes and was of high class. No one would enter the field. Rothstein had caught word that Prudery was under the weather, but still the only entry.
Enter Rothstein and his horse Sporting Blood. Rothstein was not a gambler, per se, so he instinctually had to iron clad his endeavors. So, Rothstein had his cohort, Hildreth, (the same guy who helped him mastermind the win with the World Series, and win other earlier race meets against Harry Payne Whitney) enter a horse too, essentially just to spread the field/money, and draw heat off Sporting Blood.
Hildreth got Grey Lag, a horse in his stable owned by none other than Harry Ford Sinclair, to enter the race. Grey Lag had just beat Sporting Blood, so betting odds went up for Rothstein's horse. Just before the race, they underhandedly scratched Grey Lag. Everyone quickly put their money on Prudery, dropping it's odds even more, and of course, bumping up Rothstein's horse's odds. Wouldn't you know, Sporting Blood wins by a 2 lengths.
One can't help but wonder if Man o'War's sole loss was conspired to happen, namely by Mr. Big, Arnold Rothstein.
Hello, it's been a solid year since my last post, so I figured I was due. My last post detailed the fact that I recently became a father of a lovely lil baby girl named Mia. She's kept us busy and we are happy to bring a new native Saratogian into the world. The future is female, and I am gladly raising one, with hopes of a better world for her than previously experienced by females on planet earth.
Anyway, today is Travers Day and we happen to have a filly, Wonder Gadot, in the race. Wonder Gadot gets her name from current Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot. The last time a filly was entered into the Travers was 1979 with Davona Dale, who finished 4th. Only one filly has ever won the Travers Stakes, her name was Lady Rotha, back in 1915. That same year, Regret, also a filly, was the first filly to win the Kentucky Derby. 40 fillies have entered, but only 2 fillies have won ever since. Just the day before the 1915 Derby, the Lusitania was sunk in the Celtic Sea by German U-boats, prompting our entrance into WW1. Regret was owned by Harry Payne Whitney, father-in-law of Saratoga socialite Mary Lou Whitney. Harry's brother-in law was aboard the Lusitania and did not survive. Regret's bloodlines are still going today, with 2012 Danzig Stakes winner Jake'N'Elwood amongst others. Regret is on the Horseshoe Walk of Fame outside the Saratoga entranceway
Due to the fact that the stride of male horses tend to be longer, they tend to cover ground faster than their female counterparts. This is not the case for today's filly entered in the Travers. Wonder Gadot is the largest horse in the paddock. The payoff for breeding retired horses is greater for males, they can spawn multiple horses, while the female counterpart can only render one horse a year. Female horse's winning percentages is around 66 percent, while male horse counterparts are around 69 percent, so, that leaves some unanswered questions.
Female jockeys' ascent through the ranks of horse racing is another aspect yet to gain more traction. Rosie Napravnik is the only female jockey in history to have ridden in all 3 triple crown races.
Physique of the female vs male, sexism, and layoffs due to pregnancy seems to be the factors as to why this has been how history has unfolded.
I hope Wonder Gadot makes history today at the Saratoga Racetrack. She will be giving tough competition to Good Magic, the favorite in the race, who's owners are Saratogians. Chad Brown, Good Magic's trainer is also a native Saratogian. Good Magic is brother to Travers winner Keen Ice, and Palace Malice. The Sire horse that they come from is Curlin, a horse named after a black Union officer named Charlie Curlin.
My picks for today is, Wonder Gadot to win Good Magic 2nd by a head. Exacta box it!
Sorry I haven't posted since March, I've been a bit busy scrambling around like a octopus with one arm on a chicken with it's head cut off, climbing ladders and puttin' out fires left and right here, on the West Side. All due to the fact that my wife and I recently welcomed a new Saratoga Springs born resident named Mia Alice DeMers.
Born at Saratoga Hospital, she is a true blue West Sider! I would like to thank the staff of the maternity ward, namely Lisa, Cody, and Dr. Bock. With all this baby delivery madness going on, I see it fit that I post a tribute to this lady. During the early 1900's here on the West Side, Marianna Ferrara was the midwife of the West Side. She herself, was born in Italy, and moved to here in 1888 when she was 25. She was NYS licensed in 1915 for her trade. The Ferrara's have a legacy here on the West Side. The corner store of Ash and Beekman was owned by the Ferrara's for 30 + years, so was the little beauty shop behind it on Beeekman. Check it out, they moved to Florida, but you can still get the sausages made from the family recipes, here..... https://www.besthomemadesausage.com/
During WWI, times were hard for families on the West Side. Newborns were delivered, sometimes in trade for chickens, fruit and vegetables. Marianna would also provide the same from her and her husband's garden at 80 Ash St. for other expecting/newborn families in need. Here's my beautiful wife and 5 day old newborn standing outside 80 Ash street on the West Side.
Marianna often was assisted to deliver babies, via Anthony "Spaghetti" Adinolfi's Model T Ford. He also used this truck to deliver goods for Palmetto Fruit. It is currently owned by Wally Allerdice. On September 30th 1942, on her way to catch a baby, Marianna, perched in a rocking chair on the back bed of the truck, fell off and later died from the injuries sustained from the fall. Recently, a play depicting her life was produced, written and seen through on the stage at the Homemade Theater in the Spa State Park. It's called Catching Babies, by Michelle Yergan Summerlan. I hope to catch it someday! In Congress Park, there is a bench you can sit on with your child (or not) and relax and enjoy the scenery. The bench was dedicated to the Midwife Of The West Side, Marianna Ferrara. http://www.saratogian.com/article/ST/20160823/NEWS/160829906
The Sunday after Travers Day, I will be hosting a history tour of the West Side for the Saratoga Preservation Society, join me!
SARATOGA SPRINGS SUMMER STROLL: The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation presents “Saratoga’s Historic West Side.” George DeMers will lead guests through the restored Historic West Side, also known as Little Dublin, Learn about Saratoga’s Irish and Italian immigrants who helped shape the history of this unique district. This tour sponsored by NBT Bank meets at 10:30 a.m. at South Franklin Street, Gideon Putnam Cemetery Entrance. $5 for SSPF members and $8 for non-members. Guests may buy a ticket for four tours and receive the fifth free. Reservations are encouraged, but not necessary. For more information or to make a reservation, please call the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation at 587-5030, visit www.saratogapreservation.org or email Nicole Babie, Membership & Programs Coordinator, at nbabie@saratogapreservation.org.
If you drive up the main drag (Broadway) in Saratoga Springs, NY, and keep going north onto North Broadway, you will end up on a dirt road in the woods. (Google street view goes down it, and that is hysterical)
That road becomes a downhill slope. This used to be a playground for the Saratoga Toboggan Club founded in 1885. The club was spawned from the Saratoga Snow-Shoe Club of 1881. It was made of well-to-do upper crust society, that had learned of the sporting clubs from their winter excursions to Montreal. The only difference between the clubs here and there, (besides location), was, that the Canadian clubs were men's only. Here, it was a social event meant for both sexes.
The snow shoe club met every Thursday at 7:30, according to a short piece by Newell B. Woodworth from a 1885 book called "Outing; Sport, Adventure, Travel Vol.7 ." I noticed that back then, instead of saying "going outdoors," the expression was "going out-of-doors.''
The original site of the Snow-Shoe/Toboggan club was at Woodlawn Park, North Broadway,(now Skidmore College). Canadian club members came down to snow shoe, and a few of the guys made toboggans and a slide, at the park. Within the first year, the site became too small to hold the numbers of people interested in this club. Snow shoeing was becoming popular, and most notedly, they were interested in this slide.
Here's and excerpt from a book awesomely called, Saratoga: winter and summer. An epitome of the early history, romance, legends and characteristics of the greatest of American resorts. Edited by Prentiss Ingraham.
So, that following year, Glen Mitchell, (see http://briefingsfromaspacitymetalhead.blogspot.com/2016/01/suicide-at-city-hall-jan-29-1902.html) hotel proprietor just about 3000 feet down the hill, made a new site to get their slide on, and that's where the Saratoga Toboggan Club established it's home. The slide was reportedly 3000 feet long, 20 foot width, with 3 chutes. From the top platform, you could see the mountains of Vermont. The club only accepted wealthy, high society members, membership was $100 a year. The club didn't last much past the turn of the century.
from the New York Times above, from Bolster Collection below
I tell you all this, because, 100 years later, I grew up snow sledding down that hill, every winter. We used to have two gullies set up, and we used to race down the hill. The ride was literally almost 2 solid minutes I swear. We used to get going so fast, we built a huge jump at the bottom, I think I broke my tailbone every winter. It's cool to think that we unknowingly used that same area for the same purposes 100 years later. Boy would those uppity dudes be rolling in their graves if they knew a bunch of broke trailer park metalheads are tilling their old soil, ha!
During this time period, mid March, 1888, Saratoga and New York experienced the worst blizzard to date. A reported 58 inches fell in Saratoga. The blizzard was dubbed "The Storm King". The storm even prompted a group of New York men that in 1929, formed the Society Of Blizzard Men. Here in Saratoga, and elsewhere in NY, walking down the sidewalk meant walking in tunnels of snow.
from the Bolster Collection
Another blizzard, Feb.15 1914, dropped 28 inches on day 3 of relentless snow storms, completely hammering our area. Here's a headline of famine due to the storm!
Mid March 1993, Saratoga gets hit again. I remember that day, I walked across the Woolworth parking lot, and saw a guy standing on top of his car, unearthing it from the snow (wind drift and plows had it completely buried). Here's a video from that day, and it starts off at Woolworth's!
I have the Saratogian from that day.
Now, flash forward to today, mid March, 2017, we had Stella breeze thru and leave us a mess!
my backyard on the West Side
I will leave you with the spots to sled in Saratoga....
Wow, I just realized that I havent posted since 2016. I havent watercolored since 2016. I am seriously slacking, and I apologize. I also realized that I did some watercolors that I never shared on this page, so here goes it....... Orenda Spring
All the trees were dressed up in their wool sweaters, their hues set and illuminated by the street and traffic lights. A canopy of heavy arms extend down to create a dichotomous sense of warmth and shelter. The blanketing snow mutes all echoes making the stillness of the night quite a surreal experience. I had to capture what I could in the midnight cold. These 4 were my fruits. Enjoy. All photos by George DeMers
Adelphi Hotel
Beekman Street
Dublin, Franklin Street, West Side Saratoga Springs
