Canfield Casino Congress Park Saratoga Springs Ny

  
Canfield Casino Congress Park Saratoga Springs Ny Rating: 3,5/5 6726 reviews

Long Description: 'Canfield Casino and Congress Park is a 17-acre (6.9 ha) site in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It was the site of the former Congress Spring Bottling Plant and the former Congress Hall, a large resort hotel, which together brought Saratoga Springs international fame as a health spa and gambling site. The enchanting and historic Canfield Casino is the perfect backdrop for a wedding or special event. Why not reserve the Casino for your big day or next big event? Situated in Congress Park, in downtown Saratoga Springs, the Canfield Casino is close to everything, making it the perfect location for you and your guests. The Canfield Casino is only booked for one event per day and must be booked.

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August 20, 2015 Posted in: Blog, Centennial Series, Community, Downtown, History

The historic Canfield Casino in Congress Park (Saratoga Springs, NY)

John Morrissey, a New York State Senator, Congressman, former heavyweight champion and founder of the Saratoga Race Course built the Casino in 1870. His gaming club was so successful attracting Saratoga Springs’ visitors to nighttime gambling. In 1871, the addition to the east was added. The stately Italianate structure contained a bar and large gaming room on the first floor. On the second and third floors contained private gaming rooms and living quarters. John Morrissey had 4 rules:

Park
  1. NO gambling on Sunday
  2. NO women allowed in the gaming rooms
  3. NO Saratogians
  4. NO credit

Morrisey’s Club House, operating as the Congress Park Casino under the ownership of Richard Canfield, closed in 1907. In the absence of any interested buyers, the Casino property was purchased in 1911 by the village. With fewer visitors during the summer season, the Congress Hall Hotel, located near the Casino, closed. The Canfield Casino is noted as one of Saratoga Springs' most beautiful historic establishments. Whether you've attended a gala or a wedding on the grounds or simply walked through the Saratoga Springs History Museum, it's undeniable that the building is one of Saratoga's gems. The Canfield Casino is one Saratoga Springs’ most treasured landmarks. The building was built as a gambling casino by John Morrissey. John Morrissey was born in 1831 and grew up in Troy, New York. He ended up in New York City and became part of Boss Tweed’s Tammany Hall network.

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Gambling was technically not legal, and the reasoning behind the no Saratogians rule was that he did not want a local sore loser trying to shut his club down. Outside just to the west of the building stands the Morrissey Fountain, a tiered fountain that would have a ball bouncing in the water if the gaming rooms were open.

A ball bouncing in the fountain indicated the casino was open

Morrissey died in 1878, and the club was sold to Spencer and Reed. John Canfield purchased the club in 1894 for $205,000. In 1902-1903 Canfield built the 93 x 58 dining room with beautiful octagon stained glass windows, and kitchen on the north side of the building. Canfield also designed the Italian gardens on the north side of the park with an investment of over $800,000 in improvements. Richard Canfield operated the “Monte Carlo” of America. High stakes gambling, fine food and wine attracted the high society of the Victorian Era. Ladies were allowed in the dining room only and it was here that the first Club Sandwich was served.

Canfield Casino Congress Park Saratoga Springs Ny Menu

The success was short-lived. The Casino closed in 1907 because of the gambling reform movement. The village was growing and the climate of the community was anti-gambling. Canfield put the Casino up for sale and in 1911, the village purchased it and the plans were in place for Congress Park.

In 1915, the Historical Society had offices in the Casino and today is home to the Saratoga Springs History Museum. The Museum has a former gaming room on the second floor, and the exhibits change annually. For more information: www.saratogahistory.org The building is owned and operated by the City of Saratoga Springs, and the elaborate dining room, bar, parlor and kitchen are available for private events.

The Centennial Series

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The city of Saratoga Springs was chartered on April 7, 1915. In celebration of our 100 years this summer, Roohan Realty brings you “The Centennial Series,” featuring the history of local properties – from origin to what we see today.

Do you own a historic property or know one you’d like to see featured? Submit an inquiry and our contributing writer will contact you.