Saratoga, Nebraska Territory
Encyclopedia
Saratoga Springs, Nebraska Territory
, or Saratoga, was a boom and bust
town founded in 1856 that throve for several years. During its short period of influence the town grew quickly, outpacing other local settlements in the area including Omaha
and Florence
, and briefly considered as a candidate for the Nebraska Territorial capitol. Saratoga was annexed into Omaha in 1887, and has been regarded a neighborhood in North Omaha since then.
The town's economy, including a hotel and several bars, relied on its connection to the Saratoga Bend on the Missouri River
, less than one mile (1.6 km) away. In 1856 the Nebraska Territory
riverbank at Saratoga Bend was the site of regular steamboat landings, with more regular traffic than the fledgling Omaha City, three miles (5 km) south. The town was also founded near the site of Sulpher Spring, which because of the town became renowned for its healing powers. The site was also the grave of the daughter of Young Elk, an elder of the Omaha Tribe who advised Logan Fontenelle
. One historic report identifies a sulfur spring at the "foot of Grand Avenue", which is the location of "Bluff View Park", also called "Horseshoe Bend".
(1821–1894), an agent for New York
land speculators, was the impetus for the town's creation and growth. This type of speculation relied on money from wildcat banks, which were shady investment schemes
popular at the time. Beadle named the community after his own hometown of Saratoga, New York
because the mineral springs are similar to Saratoga Springs, New York
. It was hoped these springs would draw many visitors to the area, and anticipating that, a large hotel (the Saratoga Springs) was built.
Within several months the town had more than 50 buildings, including several businesses and churches. In February 1857 the Nebraska Territory Legislature passed an act incorporating the first University of Nebraska at Saratoga. When that did not transpire, the University was newly incorporated in Lincoln. The post office was established in September 1857. After Beadle left in late 1857, the economic "Panic of '57
" set in and greatly distressed Saratoga's economy; the Post Office closed in 1858, and the town then stagnaed until it was absorbed by Omaha. In 1858, the Douglas County Agricultural Society was organized. It held its first fair in Saratoga.
The hotel did not take off, and five years later Brownell Hall
began classes in the abandoned hotel building. The Episcopal school for girls opened at the location of the Saratoga Springs Hotel. The Nebraska Territory
bishop paid $3500 for 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) of land and the building. By 1869 a new school building had been constructed at 16th & Jones in Omaha and the old hotel was abandoned.
Richard Siemon was the operator of the Saratoga Brewery located at the present-day junction of North 16th Street and Commercial Avenue, the presumed location of one of the area's many artesian wells. By 1863 the company was sold to Ebenezer Dallow, and eventually it became the famous Storz Brewing Company
.
In 1866 local citizens erected a one room schoolhouse called Saratoga School
, one of the first public schools in Nebraska. In 1877 the Missouri River changed course and cut-off the Saratoga Bend, creating what became to be known as Carter Lake (lake)
, ending the community's reliance on river traffic. The community floundered for several years, and in 1887 it was annexed into the City of Omaha
.
platted much of the Saratoga area as a new affluent suburb of Omaha
called Kountze Place
. The Saratoga community was notable again in Omaha's history at in 1927. That year North Omaha businessmen formed the North Omaha Activities Association in order to re-develop Saratoga School's playing field into a college football field for Omaha University's football team. At that time the University was located just south in the posh Kountze Place
suburb. With new bleachers built to accommodate a crowd of a thousand, the Saratoga Field was home to OU's team until 1951.
Saratoga Avenue in North Omaha was the Main Street of the town of Saratoga. Saratoga Elementary School was incorporated into Omaha Public Schools
in the late 19th century. Brownell-Talbot School
, once located in the heart of Saratoga, thrives today and is recognized as the oldest school in Nebraska
.
Nebraska Territory
The Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854...
, or Saratoga, was a boom and bust
Boom and bust
A credit boom-bust cycle is an episode characterized by a sustained increase in several economics indicators followed by a sharp and rapid contraction. Commonly the boom is driven by a rapid expansion of credit to the private sector accompanied with rising prices of commodities and stock market index...
town founded in 1856 that throve for several years. During its short period of influence the town grew quickly, outpacing other local settlements in the area including Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
and Florence
Florence, Nebraska
Florence is a neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska on the city's north end and originally one of the oldest cities in Nebraska. It was incorporated by the Nebraska Territorial Legislature on March 10, 1857. The site of Winter Quarters for Mormon migrants traveling west, it has the oldest cemetery for...
, and briefly considered as a candidate for the Nebraska Territorial capitol. Saratoga was annexed into Omaha in 1887, and has been regarded a neighborhood in North Omaha since then.
Location
Located today in the proximity of 24th Street and Saratoga Avenue in North Omaha, the town was once noted as being "three miles north of downtown Omaha and two miles south of Florence." In modern terms, the Saratoga townsite lay between Locust Street on the south and Fort Street on the north, between the current Carter Lake on the east and North 36th Street on the west.The town's economy, including a hotel and several bars, relied on its connection to the Saratoga Bend on the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
, less than one mile (1.6 km) away. In 1856 the Nebraska Territory
Nebraska Territory
The Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854...
riverbank at Saratoga Bend was the site of regular steamboat landings, with more regular traffic than the fledgling Omaha City, three miles (5 km) south. The town was also founded near the site of Sulpher Spring, which because of the town became renowned for its healing powers. The site was also the grave of the daughter of Young Elk, an elder of the Omaha Tribe who advised Logan Fontenelle
Logan Fontenelle
Logan Fontenelle , also known as Shon-ga-ska , was a trader of French and Omaha ancestry, who served for years as an interpreter to the US Indian agent at the Bellevue Agency in Nebraska...
. One historic report identifies a sulfur spring at the "foot of Grand Avenue", which is the location of "Bluff View Park", also called "Horseshoe Bend".
History
Erastus F. BeadleErastus Flavel Beadle
Erastus Flavel Beadle was a pioneer in publishing pulp fiction.-Biography:He was born in Oswego County, New York, United States, in 1821. He had a sibling: Irwin Pedro Beadle . They were the grandsons of Benjamin Beadle, a Revolutionary War soldier...
(1821–1894), an agent for New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
land speculators, was the impetus for the town's creation and growth. This type of speculation relied on money from wildcat banks, which were shady investment schemes
Collective investment scheme
A collective investment scheme is a way of investing money alongside other investors in order to benefit from the inherent advantages of working as part of a group...
popular at the time. Beadle named the community after his own hometown of Saratoga, New York
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
because the mineral springs are similar to Saratoga Springs, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was hoped these springs would draw many visitors to the area, and anticipating that, a large hotel (the Saratoga Springs) was built.
Within several months the town had more than 50 buildings, including several businesses and churches. In February 1857 the Nebraska Territory Legislature passed an act incorporating the first University of Nebraska at Saratoga. When that did not transpire, the University was newly incorporated in Lincoln. The post office was established in September 1857. After Beadle left in late 1857, the economic "Panic of '57
Panic of 1857
The Panic of 1857 was a financial panic in the United States caused by the declining international economy and over-expansion of the domestic economy. Indeed, because of the interconnectedness of the world economy by the time of the 1850s, the financial crisis which began in the autumn of 1857 was...
" set in and greatly distressed Saratoga's economy; the Post Office closed in 1858, and the town then stagnaed until it was absorbed by Omaha. In 1858, the Douglas County Agricultural Society was organized. It held its first fair in Saratoga.
The hotel did not take off, and five years later Brownell Hall
Brownell-Talbot School
Brownell-Talbot School is Nebraska's only private, independent, co-educational, college preparatory day school. It is located in Omaha, Nebraska...
began classes in the abandoned hotel building. The Episcopal school for girls opened at the location of the Saratoga Springs Hotel. The Nebraska Territory
Nebraska Territory
The Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854...
bishop paid $3500 for 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) of land and the building. By 1869 a new school building had been constructed at 16th & Jones in Omaha and the old hotel was abandoned.
Richard Siemon was the operator of the Saratoga Brewery located at the present-day junction of North 16th Street and Commercial Avenue, the presumed location of one of the area's many artesian wells. By 1863 the company was sold to Ebenezer Dallow, and eventually it became the famous Storz Brewing Company
Storz Brewing Company
The Storz Brewing Company was located at 1807 North 16th Street in North Omaha, Nebraska. Established from a company started in 1863, Storz Brewing began in 1876 by Gottlieb Storz and was owned by the Storz family until 1966; the brewery ceased operations in 1972...
.
In 1866 local citizens erected a one room schoolhouse called Saratoga School
Saratoga School
Saratoga Elementary School is located at 2504 Meredith Avenue in the Saratoga neighborhood of North Omaha, Nebraska. Currently housing two major programs to nearly 300 students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade six, the school was originally founded in 1866 and was one of the first public...
, one of the first public schools in Nebraska. In 1877 the Missouri River changed course and cut-off the Saratoga Bend, creating what became to be known as Carter Lake (lake)
Carter Lake (lake)
Carter Lake is a shallow oxbow lake in Nebraska and Iowa, located next to Omaha and Carter Lake. Soon after its formation the lake was called the East Omaha Lake, and then Lake Nakoma.-History:...
, ending the community's reliance on river traffic. The community floundered for several years, and in 1887 it was annexed into the City of Omaha
Government of Omaha
The government of the City of Omaha, Nebraska consists of the Mayor of Omaha, the Omaha City Council and various departments of the City of Omaha, which in located in Douglas County, Nebraska. The city of Omaha was founded in 1854 and incorporated in 1857....
.
Important locations
- Erastus Beadle residence - Built in New York and shipped to Saratoga in pieces, the house was located immediately east of the fair grounds, which were located on the future site of the Omaha Driving ParkOmaha Driving ParkThe Omaha Driving Park, later called Sunset Driving Park, was located in North Omaha, Nebraska, USA. It was an important recreational and sports venue in the history of Omaha.- History :...
. - Saratoga School - Originally built in 1866, the schools was located at 2504 Meredith Avenue.
- Saratoga Brewery - Opened by Richard Siemon in 1854, it was located at the present-day junction of North 16th Street and Commercial Avenue.
- Saratoga Springs Hotel - Later serving as the first home for the Brownell Hall, it was located at North 24th and Grand Streets.
- Saratoga Bend - This section of the Missouri River was cut-off in a large flood, forming present-day Carter Lake.
- Main Street - Located at 24th and Grand Streets.
Legacy
In 1886, Omaha banker Herman KountzeHerman Kountze
Herman Kountze was a powerful and influential pioneer banker in Omaha, Nebraska in the late 19th century. After organizing the Kountze Brothers Bank in 1857 as the second bank in Omaha, Herman and his brothers Augustus, Charles and Luther changed the charter in 1863, opening the First National...
platted much of the Saratoga area as a new affluent suburb of Omaha
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
called Kountze Place
Kountze Place
The Kountze Place neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska is a historically significant community on the city's north end. Today the neighborhood is home to several buildings and homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located between North 16th Avenue on the east to North 30th...
. The Saratoga community was notable again in Omaha's history at in 1927. That year North Omaha businessmen formed the North Omaha Activities Association in order to re-develop Saratoga School's playing field into a college football field for Omaha University's football team. At that time the University was located just south in the posh Kountze Place
Kountze Place
The Kountze Place neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska is a historically significant community on the city's north end. Today the neighborhood is home to several buildings and homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located between North 16th Avenue on the east to North 30th...
suburb. With new bleachers built to accommodate a crowd of a thousand, the Saratoga Field was home to OU's team until 1951.
Saratoga Avenue in North Omaha was the Main Street of the town of Saratoga. Saratoga Elementary School was incorporated into Omaha Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools is the largest school district in the state of Nebraska. This public school district serves a diverse community of more than 46,000 students at over 80 elementary and secondary schools in Omaha, Nebraska...
in the late 19th century. Brownell-Talbot School
Brownell-Talbot School
Brownell-Talbot School is Nebraska's only private, independent, co-educational, college preparatory day school. It is located in Omaha, Nebraska...
, once located in the heart of Saratoga, thrives today and is recognized as the oldest school in Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
.
See also
- Nebraska TerritoryNebraska TerritoryThe Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854...
- History of North Omaha, NebraskaHistory of North Omaha, NebraskaThe history of North Omaha, Nebraska includes wildcat banks, ethnic enclaves, race riots and social change spanning over 200 years. With a recorded history that pre-dates the rest of the city, North Omaha has roots back to 1812 with the founding of Fort Lisa...
- Timeline of North Omaha, Nebraska historyTimeline of North Omaha, Nebraska historySignificant events in the history of North Omaha, Nebraska include the Pawnee, Otoe and Sioux nations; the African American community; Irish, Czech, and other European immigrants, and; several other populations. Several important settlements and towns were built in the area, as well as important...
- Landmarks in North Omaha, Nebraska
External links
- Historic photo of the Brownell Hall when it was located in the Saratoga.
