Indicative of its future, the first structure built on the site that was to become Saratoga Springs was a tavern and boarding house in 1773. At the time it was believed the spring water had medicinal properties.

The first bathhouse was built in 1784 and the village of Saratoga Springs continued to grow as a spa resort for the healthy 'n wealthy. It was incorporated in 1827.

The man who developed Saratoga Springs into high class gambling resort patronized by the rich and powerful was John Morrissey. A tough Irish immigrant, he won the U.S. Boxing Championship in 1852 at the end of a 37- round melee.

Morrissey used his fame and fortune to promote his gambling businesses. He owned and operated five casinos in New York City. According to historian Herbert Asbury, Morrissey "was an expert Poker player, and in private sessions with his friends was noted for scrupulous fairness" but his public casinos "were operated as skinning houses".

John Morrissey looked upon Saratoga Springs as an opportunity to create the foremost gambling resort in the country. He built a luxurious casino, hotel, health spa, opera house, theatre, and elegant ball rooms.

In order to woo a daytime crowd, he constructed the Saratoga Race Track and introduced horse racing in 1862. It remains the oldest course still in use today. Morrissey spared no expense on "The Club House" casino. Ornate chandeliers, statues, brass, wood, and glass distinguished it as the most elegant gaming house ever constructed in America. The first floor was open to the public and featured Faro and Roulette.

The second floor was reserved for Poker and highrollers. Employees dressed in formal wear.

One visitor to Saratoga reported that "Almost every game of chance is played... and the stakes are very high and unlimited. Flocks of well-dressed men of all ages pass in and out all day and night; tens of thousands of dollars are lost and won; the click of the markers never ceases".

Called the "Monte Carlo of America", Saratoga became America's first and finest gaming and entertainment resort. Some of the foremost names of the century were patrons including Mark Twain, Civil War Generals Sherman and Sheridan, several Presidents, and early industrialists such as Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, "Diamond Jim Brady", and "Bet-A-Million" Gates. A poor, uneducated immigrant, John Morrissey became one of the most wealthy and powerful citizens in the country. Even President Lincoln was aware of the gambler's extensive control. Frustrated with the lack of initiative among his generals during the Civil War, Lincoln sarcastically quipped, "They wouldn't dare order out the guard without asking Morrissey."

Success, fame and its friends eventually convinced Morrissey to get into politics. In 1866 he ran as a Democrat and was elected to Congress. He sold all his gambling interests and was content to confine his own need for action to the Stock Market. Not his game, he lost millions playing it.

After Morrissey, it was another New York City casino owner, Richard Canfield, who took the gambling resort to the next level. In 1894, he bought "The Club House" and race track. He sold his NYC casinos and invested millions to further develop Saratoga Springs as one of the premier gambling resorts in the world.

Elegant fountains and beautiful landscaping, including an elaborate Italian garden, welcomed visitors to the Club House.

Inside, an art galley displayed priceless paintings. Canfield was respected worldwide as a collector of fine art.

The public gaming room was on the first floor. It featured ten Roulette tables and four Faro games. Private rooms upstairs were provided for the highest rollers. Limits were twice those of Monte Carlo. All gambling was done with chips whose values ranged from $1 to $1,000. Canfield had his own security force.

Canfield was an honest operator who presented gambling in luxurious splendor and relied on the inherent percentages of the games for his profit. He was a gracious host and treated his guests to fine wine and lavish dinners. Popular with gentlemen of means, Canfield's soon became one of wealthy New Yorkers' premier getaways.

Club House casino patrons were treated to the very best cigars, wines and cuisine. Canfield lost $70,000 on just food. Of course, he made up for it at the tables. It's estimated that around $2 million was wagered each day in his casino.

In the new industrialized nation, his patrons became the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. Presidents Cleveland and Taft were frequent guests. "Bet-A-Million" Gates dropped $400,000 at the track one afternoon. Cornelius Vanderbilt once had an epileptic seizure while playing poker there. When he recovered, the game resumed.

Canfield kept his resort in good standing with the community by being a good citizen. He made "large and frequent donations" to churches, hospitals, civic, and charitable organizations. By the turn of the century an anti-gambling, anti-alcohol, conservative Christian reform movement reacting to the excesses of the 1880s and '90s, was gaining domi- nance in America. Saratoga was raided by the police.

Resort owner Canfield was irate. He considered himself an honest businessman and gambling an honorable profession. He reminded his critics, "They gambled in the Garden of Eden!"

Disgusted, Canfield sold his Saratoga Springs interests to the city in 1907. He decided to return to more liberal, cosmopolitan New York City. And with Canfield went the glory of America's first great gambling resort city.