Saratoga Springs, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saratoga Springs
|
|
|---|---|
Century-old building in Saratoga Springs
|
|
Saratoga Springs (top, center) between Lower Blue Lake and Tule Lake
|
|
 Saratoga Springs
Location in California
Saratoga Springs
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Lake County |
| Opened | 1873 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 260 acre (110 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,427 ft (435 m) |
| Website | http://www.saratogasprings.com/ |
Saratoga Springs is a historic place in Lake County, California. It was once known as Bachelor Springs and Pierson Springs. This spot became a popular resort in the 1870s, built around natural springs.
At its busiest, the resort could host 250 guests. It closed for a while after its main hotel burned down. But in 1991, it reopened as a peaceful retreat.
Where is Saratoga Springs?
Saratoga Springs is about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Upper Lake. It sits at an elevation of 1,427 feet (435 meters). The original town of Saratoga Springs was located a bit further north.
The springs are found in a wide, brushy valley. They are about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the Witter Medical Springs. This area is part of the Scotts Creek watershed.
Amazing Mineral Springs
The resort had 12 small mineral springs. Most of them were on the slopes east of the hotel. Six of these springs were inside a round building called the Roundhouse.
These springs had names like Appetizer and Digester. Their water was bubbly and left small amounts of calcium and iron. Other springs nearby collected water for bathing. There was also a sulfur spring that flowed strongly.
A report from 1914 listed the main springs and their temperatures. These included Magnesia, Arsenic, Sulphur, Soda, Iron, and Seltzer springs. Their temperatures were quite cool, around 59-61.5 degrees Fahrenheit (15-16.4 degrees Celsius). The water from these springs was not bottled for sale.
A Look Back in Time
Long before the resort, the Pomo people used these springs. They came to the valley for healing and to make peace.
The first owner of the springs was J.W. Pearson. He found them in a wooded valley in 1871. In 1874, he claimed 160 acres of land. Pearson then built a hotel and small cottages around the springs.
In 1878, Pearson sold the property, then called Pierson Springs. John Marhten later bought it and made many improvements. He added a new hotel, more buildings, and cottages. By 1891, the resort could host 350 people. It even had a barn for 40 horses!
At its peak, the resort covered 260 acres. It had a stagecoach stop, a post office, a restaurant, and a dance hall. Guests could enjoy many cold mineral springs for bathing. There was also a plant to bottle water for drinking.
People from the San Francisco Bay Area would travel to the resort. They took a train to Cloverdale. Then, they rode a stagecoach through Ukiah to reach Saratoga Springs. In 1910, the resort had rooms for 250 guests. These were in the hotel, an annex, and 16 cottages. The cottages were set in a lovely oak grove near the creek.
The post office at the springs was called Bachelor. It opened in 1882 and closed for good in 1940.
In 1920, E.R. Keil and his wife bought the resort. A 1922 guide said you could reach Saratoga Springs by train to Ukiah. From there, it was a 22-mile (35 km) stagecoach ride. The resort grounds were large and shaded by oak and walnut trees.
The mineral waters were thought to help with digestion. The resort also had a large concrete swimming pool. Its water was bubbly and very refreshing. Saratoga Springs had electric lights, a telephone, a post office, and a store. Hotel rooms cost $19 to $22 per week. Cottages with kitchens were $10 to $15 per week.
In the late 1940s, Matt and Leda Callan bought the resort. In the 1950s, guests often stayed for weeks. They enjoyed the delicious food, swimming pool, and activities. These included croquet, tennis, horseback riding, and dancing.
When the main hotel burned down, the Callans sold the resort. In 1991, David Caroll bought the property. He brought it back to life as a peaceful retreat.
