Utopian Club’s Parlor Room

Pictured below is a view of parlor room of the Utopian Club. In the background in another room is group of men playing cards. The Utopian Club was organized in September, 1885 and had rooms in the Sans Souci Block on Front Street, Ballston Spa, NY. It still existed in through 1907, when it was photographed by Jesse Sumner Wooley.

Remembering Ralph B. Post

Snapshot of Ralph B. Post, a long-time doctor in Ballston Spa. Dr. Ralph B. Post was born on January 23, 1888 and trained at Albany Medical School. Following service in World War I, he set up his medical practice in Ballston Spa. In 1919 he purchased 143 Milton Avenue and in 1920 he married Agnes Hayes. They never had children…. Read more »

Labor Day Flashback

Hope everyone had a good labor day! Here is what the Labor Day Parade in Ballston Spa looked like back in 1911. Pictured is the marching band headed through town. Photograph by Jesse Sumner Wooley.

American Hide and Leather Company Snapshot, 1939

In 1899 the American Hide and Leather Company purchased the Ballston Spa tannery from Hall, Haight & Co. At its height, the plant at Ballston Spa could store 125 carloads of hides in cooling plants. During processing they were washed, fleshed, unhaired, and soaked in various chemicals in preparation of tanning. After tanning, the hides still had to be split,… Read more »

The Sylvester C. Shaeffer Meat Market

This photo of the interior of the Sylvester C. Shaeffer meat market was taken in August 1916. S.C. Shaeffer began in business in 1896 and his sons, John S. and Warren P., were active participants in the business. The store was located on Front St. next to the Opera House until the market was sold in 1947. This photo is… Read more »

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 »

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.