Ballston Spa in Saratoga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Here in 1800 / Here in 1900
A Bathing Green, Bath House
And Mineral Spring Were
Used By Visitors From Six
Boarding Houses and Five
Private Summer Homes.
Here In 1900
Shoppers Going to Front St.
And Workers Walking Through
The Tunnel From Factories
Relaxed At A Refreshment
Stand In This Springhouse.
Erected 2000 by Saratoga County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.
Location. 43° 0.141′ N, 73° 51.24′ W. Marker is in Ballston Spa, New York, in Saratoga County. Marker is at the intersection of Front Street and Fairgrounds Ave. when traveling west on Front Street. The Here in 1800/Here in 1900 marker stands beside the Old Iron Spring Pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ballston Spa NY 12020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Captain Abner Doubleday (within shouting distance of this marker); County Seat (approx. 0.2 miles away); Birthplace of Abner Doubleday (approx. 0.2 miles away); New Yorker Submariners Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Home of George Scott (approx. 1.4 miles away); E. Hubbell 1831 (approx. 1.7 miles away); Trip-Hammer (approx. 1.8 miles away); Home of Jonathan Filer (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ballston Spa.
More about this marker. This marker is fairly unusual due its different text on opposite sides.
Regarding Here in 1800 / Here in 1900. The springhouse mentioned on the marker is the Pavilion of the Old Iron Spring. The Old Iron Spring was drilled by the village of Ballston Spa in 1874, only 50 feet from the original Iron Railing Spring that was discovered in 1771 and failed in 1835. The Iron Railing Spring was located "in the middle of the street opposite Aldridge's [now Brookside Museum]. The hollow area in which the spring was situated was enclosed with a handsome iron railing." Back in 1903 patrons of the Schenectady Railway could stop here at the Old Iron spring after the trolley was opened to Ballston Spa, and later Saratoga, from Schenectady. Photos show the trolley stopping steps away from the pavilion of the Old Iron Spring. The Old Iron Spring and Park is owned by the village, and is free to the public, and the waters may be sampled free of charge. It is located at the west end of Front Street. It is an artesian well, six hundred and forty-seven feet in depth, and was drilled in 1874. It is quite similar in its mineral qualities to the original spring. The water has a strong iron taste and still runs today. The medicinal qualities of this spring have been debated for over 200 years, but some residents still swear by the water and can be seen filling up gallon jugs! The pavilion was used as a concession stand for many years, and today is used by the Lions Club as a concession stand for village-wide events.
Also see . . . Brookside Museum on Facebook. (Submitted on June 7, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Additional keywords. Old Iron Spring Brookside Museum Brook Side
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 613 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 7, 2013, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 7. submitted on January 25, 2015. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.