[Saratoga] Baker & Record, Photographers, circa 1871, albumen photograph measuring 10 ¼ x 13 ¼ inches, on a printed mount measures approximately 14 ⅜ x 17⅜ inches. Printed mount is browned, some chipping along edges, else very good.
The
photograph depicts the spring and the interior of the office of Geyser Spring,
mounted on cardstock with printed text, describing the spring, discovered in
1870, and giving a brief account of its history, it reads:
“This Wonderful Mineral Fountain was
discovered in February, 1870. It was developed by experimental drilling in the
solid rock. It is located in the “Coeesa Valley,” near Cady Hill, on the
Ballston road, one and a half miles south of the principal hotels at Saratoga
Springs. The water vein was struck by the drill in the birds-eye limestone, one
hundred and fifty feet beneath the surface rock. The water immediately
commenced spouting at the surface, being forced up from the depths of the earth
by the pressure of its own carbonic acid gas, spouting through an inch nozzle
to the height of thirty feet. During the season of 1871 over one hundred and
fifty thousand persons visited the Geyser Spring, and the universal testimony
of all is that the waters are the best and the spring the most wonderful in the
world.”