Saratoga, Nebraska Territory
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Saratoga Springs, Nebraska Territory, or Saratoga, was a
boom and bust Business cycles are intervals of expansion followed by recession in economic activity. These changes have implications for the welfare of the broad population as well as for private institutions. Typically business cycles are measured by examini ...
town founded in 1856 that thrived for several years. During its short period of influence the town grew quickly, outpacing other local settlements in the area including
Omaha Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 39th-largest city ...
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.


Location

Located today in the proximity of 24th Street and Saratoga Avenue in North Omaha, the town was once noted as being " north of downtown Omaha and 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, less than 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, 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 (May 6, 1825 – July 16, 1855), also known as ''Shon-ga-ska'' (White Horse), was a trader of Omaha and French ancestry, who served for years as an interpreter to the US Indian agent at the Bellevue Agency in Nebraska. He was e ...
. 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. Beadle (1821–1894), an agent for
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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 that area's Saratoga Springs. 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 The Nebraska Territorial Legislature was held from January 16, 1855 until 1865 in Omaha City, Nebraska Territory. Major issues Slavery In 1854 the Kansas–Nebraska Act created the Nebraska Territory, overturning the Missouri Compromise ...
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 stagnated 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 is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Baker Brownell, philosopher * Bill Brownell, American professional basketball player * Edwin Orion Brownell, Canadian neo-classical composer and concert pianist * Francis E. Brownel ...
began classes in the abandoned hotel building. The
Episcopal Episcopal may refer to: *Of or relating to a bishop, an overseer in the Christian church *Episcopate, the see of a bishop – a diocese *Episcopal Church (disambiguation), any church with "Episcopal" in its name ** Episcopal Church (United State ...
school for girls opened at the location of the Saratoga Springs Hotel. The Nebraska Territory bishop paid $3500 for 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 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 o ...
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 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 op ...
. In 1866 local citizens erected a
one room schoolhouse One-room schools, or schoolhouses, were commonplace throughout rural portions of various countries, including Prussia, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain. In most rural and s ...
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 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.


Important locations

* Erastus Beadle residence – Built in New York and shipped to Saratoga in pieces, the house was located immediately east of the fairgrounds, which were located on the future site of the
Omaha Driving Park The Omaha Driving Park, later called Sunset Driving Park, was located in North Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It was an important recreational and sports venue in the history of Omaha. History In 1875, the Omaha Driving Park Association purcha ...
. * Saratoga School – Originally built in 1866, the school 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. Eventually purchased by Gottlieb Storz, it became the
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 op ...
. * Saratoga Springs Hotel – Later serving as the first home for the
Brownell Hall Brownell is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Baker Brownell, philosopher * Bill Brownell, American professional basketball player * Edwin Orion Brownell, Canadian neo-classical composer and concert pianist * Francis E. Brownel ...
, 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. *
Druid Hall A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Wh ...
- Located at 2412 Ames Ave., this building was constructed by the Woodmen of the World, occupied by the
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and is now used by Nebraska's
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Grand Lodge.


Legacy

In 1886, Omaha banker
Herman Kountze Herman Kountze (August 21, 1833 – November 20, 1906) was a powerful and influential pioneer banker in Omaha, Nebraska, during the late 19th century. After organizing the Kountze Brothers Bank in 1857 as the second bank in Omaha, Herman and ...
platted much of the Saratoga area as a new affluent suburb of
Omaha Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 39th-largest city ...
called
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 betw ...
. The Saratoga community was notable again in Omaha's history 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 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 betw ...
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.Saratoga Elementary School (n.d.
Saratoga History
Brownell-Talbot School Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory day school located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. It serves students from preschool through grade 12. History In the mid-19th century, Omaha j ...
, once located in the heart of Saratoga, thrives today and is recognized as the oldest school in Nebraska.


See also

* Nebraska Territory * History of North Omaha, Nebraska *
Timeline of North Omaha, Nebraska history Significant 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 an ...
* Landmarks in North Omaha, Nebraska


References


External links


Historic photo
of the Brownell Hall when it was located in the Saratoga.
Historic Images of Brownell Hall
- Nebraska Memories


Bibliography

*Finlayson, A.J. (1978) ''The Mysterious Disappearance of Saratoga.'' *Wilhite, A. (1970) ''The Saratoga Story, Inflated Beginnings.''

{{Community areas of Omaha History of United States expansionism Missouri River Populated places established in 1856 Populated places in Douglas County, Nebraska History of North Omaha, Nebraska Former municipalities in Nebraska Neighborhoods in Omaha, Nebraska 1856 establishments in Nebraska Territory