Towns, Villages, Cities & Hamlets located in Saratoga County:
For local community and real estate information please click on one of the towns below.
About Saratoga County:
Saratoga County is a county located in the State of New York. The county seat is Ballston Spa. The name is a corruption of an Indian word "sah-rah-ka" or "Sarach-togue," that means "the hill beside the river."
When counties were established in the Province of New York in 1683, the present Saratoga County was part of Albany County. This was an enormous county, including the northern part of New York State as well as all of the present State of Vermont and in theory extending westward to the Pacific Ocean. This county was reduced in size on July 3, 1766 by the creation of Cumberland County, and further on March 16, 1770 by the creation of Gloucester County, both containing territory now in Vermont.
On March 12, 1772 Albany County was divided into the counties of Albany, Tryon (now Montgomery), and Charlotte (now Washington). From 1772 to 1786 Albany County included, besides the present territory of Albany County, all of the present Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties, parts of the present Greene and Washington Counties, and a piece of what is now southwestern Vermont.
In 1786, Albany County was reduced in size by the splitting off of Columbia County. In 1791, Saratoga County (as well as Rensselaer County) was split off from Albany County.
During the nineteenth century, Saratoga County was an important industrial center. Its location 30 miles north of Albany on the Delaware and Hudson Railway and its proximity to water power from the Hudson River and Kayaderosseras Creek led to rapid industrial development beginning in 1810. Some of the most important industries were paper mills, tanneries, foundries, and textile mills.
Recreation:
Saratoga County is extremely popular between late July and early September each year due to the Saratoga Race Course being open. This world-famous track dates back to 1863. Horse-racing fans come from all over to watch the races. Besides the horses, Saratoga County is also famous for its role in American History, being the home of the Battle of Saratoga. The Saratoga National Historical Park is located along the Hudson River in Stillwater, and features a drive-around atmosphere where you can drive up to each station. The park is also famous for its outstanding views of the area's natural scenery and Vermont's Green Mountains in the distance.
The Saratoga Spa State Park capitalizes on the culture and mineral springs that once drove Saratoga County. This is a large state park and includes a hotel, 2 pool complexes, mineral baths, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, picnic areas, hiking trails and numerous mineral springs.
Also nearby is Adirondack Park, one of the largest parks in the nation. Part of Northwestern Saratoga County lies within the boundaries of the Adirondack State Park.
Saratoga County is just to the North of Albany County, the Capital of New York State.
