Storytime with The Saratoga Springs History Museum: What Happened in Saratoga’s Casino Era?
We were so happy to have our Museum Director, James Parillo, join Bright Sighted Media for a special episode of Storytime with The Saratoga Springs History Museum, exploring one of the most fascinating and colorful chapters in Saratoga Springs history: the city’s famous casino era.
In the episode, titled “What Happened in Saratoga’s Casino Era?”, James joined host Christine O’Donnell for a lively conversation about the glamour, scandals, mineral springs, grand hotels, and hidden stories that made Saratoga Springs one of America’s most talked-about resort destinations during the Gilded Age.
Long before Saratoga became known as the charming, walkable city visitors enjoy today, it was a summer playground for millionaires, gamblers, socialites, celebrities, and travelers seeking health, entertainment, and excitement. People came for the mineral springs, the horse racing, the grand hotels, and, of course, the social scene. But behind the elegance and fashionable summer crowds, Saratoga had another side filled with secret signals, high-stakes gambling, bold personalities, and scandals hiding in plain sight.
During the conversation, James helped paint a vivid picture of Saratoga Springs 150 years ago. Congress Park, now known for its ducks, ponds, fountains, and walking paths, looked very different in the late 19th century. Rather than the peaceful park setting we know today, it was filled with buildings, businesses, and mineral spring activity. Visitors came to drink the famous waters, often following doctor-recommended routines much like someone might take vitamins today.
One especially interesting detail from the episode was just how important the mineral springs once were to daily life in Saratoga. At the city’s peak, Saratoga had nearly 200 mineral springs. Today, only about 20 remain. Many visitors may know that the waters taste unusual, but they may not realize that people once traveled great distances because these springs were believed to have healing properties. Some were thought to help with skin conditions, others with mineral deficiencies, and each spring had its own distinct taste and reputation.
James also shared the deeper history of High Rock Spring, one of Saratoga’s most important natural landmarks. Long before European settlers arrived, the mineral springs were known to Native peoples, including Abenaki, Algonquin, and Mohawk communities, who understood the area as a place of natural significance. High Rock was known as the “mineral spring of the great spirit,” believed to be a gift with healing properties.
The episode also dives into the story of the Canfield Casino, once known as the Saratoga Clubhouse. Built as a place for games and social gathering, it became closely associated with gambling during Saratoga’s casino era. One of the most fascinating stories James shared involved the Morrissey Fountain outside the museum. Today, visitors may see it as a beautiful historic fountain, but during the casino era it reportedly had a much more secretive purpose. A ball placed in the basket at the top of the fountain was said to signal that gambling was open that evening. Those who knew what to look for understood the message.
Another memorable story from the episode centers on John “Bet-A-Million” Gates, a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in barbed wire and became famous for his enormous wagers. James shared how Gates came to Saratoga to gamble and bet at the track, often trying to overwhelm others with the sheer size of his wagers. He was known for losing staggering amounts of money and treating it as if it were simply part of the entertainment.
The conversation also explored Saratoga’s grand hotels, including the United States Hotel, Grand Union Hotel, Congress Hall, and the Adelphi. These were not just places to stay; they were stages for wealth, status, and spectacle. The United States Hotel, for example, had a famous porch known as “Millionaires’ Row.” The porch had no stairs, allowing wealthy guests to stroll above the street while others walked below. It was a striking symbol of class and social hierarchy in the Gilded Age.
One of the most playful stories James shared was about Barry Wall, known as “The Dandy,” who was challenged by Bet-A-Million Gates to change his entire outfit 40 times in one day. Wall accepted the wager and reportedly appeared outside the United States Hotel in 40 different complete outfits, from shoes to accessories, winning the bet and adding another unforgettable tale to Saratoga’s already colorful history.
The episode also highlighted the story of Miriam Leslie, a remarkable woman connected to Saratoga’s publishing history. After her husband, publisher Frank Leslie, died, Miriam took over his business and even adopted the name “Frank Leslie” professionally so the company could continue operating under a name the public recognized. She became known as the “Queen of Publishing” and later left her fortune to support the women’s suffrage movement, helping fund the fight for women’s right to vote.
James and Christine also discussed how public criticism of gambling helped shape Saratoga’s future. Writer Nellie Bly strongly criticized Saratoga’s gambling culture, calling attention to the darker side of the resort town’s reputation. While gambling did not disappear overnight, voices like hers contributed to growing pressure against illegal gambling and the casino culture that had become part of Saratoga’s identity.
Throughout the episode, James reminds listeners that these stories, from the glamorous to the scandalous, are all part of Saratoga’s history. They help us better understand how the city became what it is today: a place shaped by mineral springs, ambition, entertainment, wealth, reform, architecture, tourism, and unforgettable personalities.
Visitors can learn more about these stories at the Saratoga Springs History Museum, located inside the historic Canfield Casino in Congress Park. The museum offers exhibitions, guided tours, walking tours, and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Families are encouraged to visit, and museum tours can be adapted so children and adults alike can enjoy and understand Saratoga’s remarkable past.
We are grateful to Bright Sighted Media for inviting James Parillo to share these stories and for helping bring Saratoga’s history to new audiences. Whether you are a longtime resident, a first-time visitor, or simply someone who loves Gilded Age history, this episode is a wonderful way to discover the hidden stories behind the streets, buildings, springs, and landmarks many people walk past every day.
Listen to the full episode, “Storytime with The Saratoga Springs History Museum: What Happened in Saratoga’s Casino Era?”, from Bright Sighted Media to hear the full conversation and explore the scandals, stories, and surprises of Saratoga’s casino era.