Saratoga, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saratoga, Texas
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| Nickname(s):
Birthplace of George Jones
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 Saratoga, Texas
Location in Texas
Saratoga, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Hardin |
| Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) |
| Time zone | CST |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT |
| GNIS feature ID | 1346698 |
Saratoga is a small community in Hardin County, Texas, United States. It's not an official city, but a group of homes and businesses. Saratoga is about 26 miles (42 km) northwest of Beaumont. It is also very close to the Big Thicket National Preserve, a large natural area. The special mail code for Saratoga is 77585. Saratoga is part of the bigger area around Beaumont and Port Arthur.
History of Saratoga
The area where Saratoga is now was first called New Sour Lake. In the 1850s, a man named J. F. Cotton found a spring there that smelled like sulfur. Sulfur is a chemical element that can smell like rotten eggs. In 1865, he tried to dig for oil, but he didn't have the right tools.
In the 1880s, a man named P. S. Watts thought the spring water had special healing powers. Many people at that time believed in "medicinal" waters. To attract visitors, Watts changed the name of the place to Saratoga. He wanted it to be like the famous resort in Saratoga Springs, New York. He built a hotel and small houses for rent, but not many people came.
Years later, in 1901, a very successful oil well called the Lucas Gusher was found nearby in Spindletop at Beaumont. This led to the first successful oil wells being drilled in Saratoga. In 1904, a railroad track was built from Saratoga to Bragg Station. This railroad also helped the lumber industry grow, as wood could be easily moved.
The number of people living in Saratoga changed a lot over the years. It was around 1,000 people in 1925, then dropped to 350 in the early 1950s. Recently, the population has grown back to over 1,000. Even though the main railroad line north of town was taken down in 1934, new oil wells were still being drilled as late as the early 1990s.
Schools in Saratoga
Students in Saratoga go to schools in the West Hardin County Consolidated Independent School District.
Other Interesting Facts
- Saratoga is famous as the birthplace of George Jones, a very well-known country music singer.
- On the south side of Saratoga, there is a large salt water marsh. This marsh was created during the oil boom. Salt water from the oil wells was pumped into this area, making it a salty, empty space. You can still find old arrowheads and spearheads around the marsh. These were left by ancient Native American people who once lived there.
- Saratoga is also home to the main office for the Big Thicket Association. This group works to protect and care for the Big Thicket National Preserve.
