Congress Park

Congress Park. . , Historic Congress Park incorporates an early park, a former gambling casino, the site of one of Saratoga Springs’ great hotels, and several historic sculptures., Gideon Putnam founded this part of Saratoga Springs, the “Lower Village,” in the early 1800’s. One of the first to recognize the value of the Congress Spring, he exploited its popularity as a healing water. Putnam died in 1812, but his hotel, Congress Hall, flourished, becoming one of the elegant hostelries of the Victorian era., The early park was formed in the late 1820’s when John Clarke purchased the swampy spring to the south, opening a small private park. The Congress Water he bottled was sold nationwide., Beginning in the nineteenth century visitors trekked to Saratoga Springs for its healing mineral waters and clean air. Strolls around Congress Park were an important part of the Saratoga “cure,” relieving the tedium of drinking the mineral waters., Congress Park expanded throughout the century. In 1875, Frederick Law Olmsted, architect of New York City’s Central Park, further improved this park. Attractions like the Circular Railway provided activities for summer visitors., Congress Park, as you see it today emerged in 1913 when the city of Saratoga Springs created a city park system; Clarke’s Congress Park, the Casino, the Italian Gardens, and the site of Congress Hall were joined to form Historic Congress Park., Focal Points , 1. Italian Gardens , 2. Trask Memorial with Spirit of Life , 3. Casino , 4. Congress Spring , 5. Columbian Spring , 6. Public Library, near site of Congress Hall Hotel , 7. War Memorial Bandstand , 8. Katrina Trask Memorial Stairway , 9. Twin vases, Day and Night , 10. Site of Deer Lodge and Park