A Curious Amusement...
Saratoga's Circular Railway
Did you know that Saratoga had a circular railway for amusement? In the 1840s and 1850s, summer Saratogians could divert themselves with menageries and circuses, concerts, plays, magic lantern lectures, bowling, billiards, cards, an Indian encampment that offered crafts, and even the "circular railroad," on which a small train was propelled by a hand crank.
Some delightful descriptions
Infantile joy... for very gallant gentlemen!
"At the top of the hip in a small grove is the circular railway. This is a small piece of track built in a circle, and provided with small cars. Here one may have the infantile joy of a ride in an enlarged baby carriage round and round—if you like that kind of manual labor. Some think it a trifle tiresome…"
Saratoga Illustrated
by Charles Newhall Taintor
Published in 1876
First Resorts
Jon Sterngass
JHU Press, May 22, 2003
"An opportunity is here afforded for enthusiasts and very gallant gentlemen to test their strength and patience, by propelling themselves and friends round the circle in one of the cars. The recreation requires the expenditure of no little strength, and is only accomplished by the sweat of some one's brow, but it is preferable, doubtless, to “swinging round the circle.”
Saratoga and How to See It
R. F. Dearborn
June, 1872
