“In 1783 while on a northern tour General George Washington traveled to Saratoga to inspect the battlefield and other fortifications. While there he visited High Rock Spring with his party that included Alexander Hamilton and NY Governor Clinton. They drank the “healing waters” from High Rock Spring before continuing their journey southward. General Washington was so impressed by the spring that he attempted to purchase the land.” Saratoga Springs city website, Revolutionary Days website.

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Shortly thereafter the stream was filled with rubble and lovely High Rock Park was created on the fill. There are two fountains in the park but nothing of the stream or native environment remains.

Not so fast.

During the site preparation process for Saratoga’s 9-11 memorial I had an opportunity to visit the High Rock Park location with Saratoga Arts Director, Joel Reed. While looking over the site I walked to the glacial rock formation immediately behind where the memorial was to be placed and noticed a lovely micro environment complete with lush fauna and water life. All of this was supported by a constant and lavish flow of clean fresh water coming from a pipe that was sticking directly out of the glacial rock wall. Water flowing from stone. Lovely symbol.

I pointed it out to Joel who was likewise impressed by this symbolic element and we both remarked on it’s relation to the 9-11 memorial. It all seemed so fitting.

In the weeks that followed my research disclosed that the water was indeed fresh and not part of any drainage system. However it was not until the actual placement of the memorial that I began to understand the significance of this micro environment. I was standing with James Kettlewell (author of “Saratoga Springs: An Architectural History,” professor emeritus of Skidmore College) while the immense metal memorial was being hoisted into position and I pointed out the water coming out of the stone. Mr. Kettlewell said that he had noted that phenomena and according to his calculations that was the exact spot that General Washington and his party shared a drink from the stream.

Wow. Amazing. All of a sudden this pipe-spout was a very important part of our collective local history. A secret history because so few seemed to be aware of it.

In the time since then the memorial has been dedicated and we have gone through an entire year of seasons. Yet the spout of water and the environment it supports are still not being tended to. That is why I am writing this piece. To expose the secret and to throw a light onto a resource that is being ignored.

In my opinion the City of Saratoga Springs should restore this small micro environment to the natural state that was present when General Washington visited all of those years ago. Allow the “healing waters” to flow into a small pool instead of directly down a drain and set up a system that permits the native plants and critters to flourish.

Keep in mind that Native Americans of the Saratoga region visited High Rock Spring as early as 1300 to gain strength from the waters. General Washington was so impressed with the natural beauty of the location that he wanted to buy the property that bordered the stream. What he saw was not a manicured or highly maintained environment. It was native and natural. This place spoke of the America he knew and loved as he looked over the landscape of the country he had struggled to create. That is what caught the General’s imagination and in my opinion that should be Saratoga’s inspiration.

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