Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum - News

News

Saratoga Springs, 1898

This black and white photograph was simply titled “Broadway,” This is what a portion of downtown Saratoga Springs, NY once looked like in 1898. Owners of the photograph originally wrote “this one of the hotels near Spring Street,” but it is actually a photo of Congress Hall.

Booth Family Album Photos

Family photo albums can be fascinating sources of information about the past. These images of Samuel W. Cooke riding a bicycle are from the Booth Family album and were taken in July of 1897. 

Eagle Hotel Fire

Ballston Spa lost one of its famous hotels on July 8, 1932, when the Eagle Hotel burned to the ground. The U.S. Post Office is now located on the site which is on the south side of Front St. at Milton Ave. The first building on this location was a blacksmith shop built in 1812 (Warren Shaeffer Collection). Ballston Spa,… Read more »

Strike Sabotage in 1910

On the evening of Sunday, July 31, 1910, a passenger train derailed on the Delaware and Hudson line in Ballston Lake. This photo postcard shows the aftermath. A week later, eight trackmen were arrested for removing spikes from the track near a curve in the line.  The sabotage was part of a labor strike and the arrested men said they… Read more »

The Verbeck House

The Verbeck House was built in 1889 for James W. Verbeck, Esq. It is located on Church Avenue near the West High Street intersection.  For a time, it was the home of the National Bottle Museum and now houses offices.

Sunny Front Street

Front Street in downtown Ballston Spa on a sunny day like today complete with buildings hung with bunting, and a trolley car coming down the street along with both horse and horseless carriages. Taken during the Ballston Spa Centennial Celebration by Jesse Sumner Wooley.  

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Below is a black and white photo of Soldiers and Sailors monument, here in Ballston Spa, NY. This monument was dedicated on June 14th, 1888. Photograph from collection of Arthur Mathers (former edition Ballston Journal).

The Major General’s House

This house is where Major General Abner Doubleday was born June 16, 1819. It still stands, much of which is still in its original condition. Major General Doubleday was a civil war hero.

Memorial Day

Hope everyone had a great holiday yesterday. Pictured below is a black and white photo of the Memorial Day Parade in 1939 on Milton Ave. right here in Ballston Spa, New York.

Brookside in Path Through History

Brookside is now on the Path Through History’s map! We are glad to be a part of this state-wide initiative to raise awareness and bring together important historical museums and sites. Check out our cool new sign!