267 Comments for Imperial Baths at Sharon Springs

Lovely.

Thanks for sharing, eldokid, that is interesting. I didn't know you could drink sulfur water. The "temple" looks in pretty good shape in the photo, why would it be risky to be inside it, Mr. Motts?

Nice colours and textures.

Fantastic, another new gallery! And a unique subject too. Thanks Mr Motts for the text history and the vintage photos. Very interesting. I can't imagine wanting to inhale sulphur - yech what a smell.

Love the rope and pulley system for opening the transom window.

We are certainly used to seeing large equipment left behind but surprised as some of the remaining items here. This one would have been an easy sell.

If I'm not mistaken Saratoga had (and may still have) baths where people could go and lounge in these pools of water, they claimed was very healthy. I remember doing this many years ago. Not sure of the health aspects but it was a very pleasurable experience.

All the buildings as well as the scenery up here are gorgeous!

Many of the fountains up here would dispense that "sulfur" water that smelled like rotten eggs. If you could get past the smell, they claimed it had great healing powers. Many people including myself and my parents used to go up here with empty jugs and fill them up with sulfur water to bring home and drink. Plus it was free.

Boy, do I need to visit this place! I had 15 eye surgeries last year and who knows how many I'm in for this year.

Oh and depending on what time of year you went would determine the inhabitants and feel of the area. Saratoga is very "touristy", especially during racing season (Saratoga Harness Track) or when SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) is open. Then the area is really hopping and there are people everywhere! Personally, I like it in the off seasons, it's very peaceful and beautiful.

Wow, this is just around the corner from where I live, well kind of. It's not too far anyway. I had no idea this stuff was up there or I would have poked around myself. Thanks for a new gallery, can't wait to get into it.

I recall a note on some tubs being made of fiberglass, although the purpose was more for resisting the mineral buildups from the spring water than for leaching out the heat.

I don't think there is much hard scientific evidence proving that mineral water heals the many aliments they are purported to, but some people do continue to believe in their curative properties.

Very nice pictures. Thank you so much!
Quite an Event too - and different.
And although there is a wheelchair - it does not look like a hospital - more like a spa, hahaha -