Rarely Seen Photos of Saratoga

Rarely Seen Photos of OLD SARATOGA Springs

WRITTEN BY CHARLIE KUENZEL | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GEORGE S. BOLSTER COLLECTION

SARATOGA RACE TRACK, IN THE 1860S

This image of the track in the early days of operation shows the original grandstands and racing surface before they would be reconstructed in 1901.

This image shows a track that is looking closer to the configuration of the present-day track. Notice the lower right of the lower open building, which was the betting shed. Before betting windows and tote machines, bets were made with about 100 bookies that were all located in the betting shed.

1847 STATE FAIR

This image shows a drawing of the construction of the 1847 NY State Fair that was held in Saratoga Springs, near the present-day race track. Horse racing was a big draw at the state fair.