Artifacts have been found along
Saratoga Creek where the Ohlone
Indians camped. Captain Juan
Bautista de Anza passed thru the

area in 1776. In 1846, a Mexican
land grant deeded the Saratoga-
Campbell-Cupertino area to early
settlers Jose Noriega & his
father-in-law, Jose Fernandez.

The abundant redwood forests gave
rise to a thriving lumber industry.

At the time, a lack of roads made it difficult to get the
lumber transported. An Irishman, Martin McCarty, solved the
problem after he leased the mill from Campbell. He obtained a
franchise to build a toll road from the mill to the small
settlement at the mouth of the canyon. A tollgate was erected
at present day 3rd Street and Big Basin Wayh. The toll was
high: $3 for a 2-horse team & $6 for a 4-horse team. The
village which developed here was named Tollgate.

Later, Santa Clara county took over & eliminated the tolls.
Tollgate was renamed McCartysville after McCarty laid out
plots for development on both sides of Lumber St., now known
as Big Basin Way.

Milling activities briefly gave the village the name of Bank
Mills. But on March 13, 1865, the villagers voted to rename
the community Saratoga. The name was selected because of the
similarity in the mineral content of the water at the springs
a mile above the village, to that of Congress Springs at
Saratoga, New York.

In 1890, Saratoga became the home of the world-renowned Paul
Masson Winery. The early 1900's found Saratoga developing into
a pleasant village as it became the trading center for the
surrounding fruit-growing farms. Saratoga soon became a haven
for wealthy San Franciscans who came to build elegant hillside
homes overlooking the lush valley.

After World War II, the character of Saratoga changed from
agricultural to suburban. In 1956, to protect the community
City of Saratoga. Today, from industrial development, the
citizens voted to become the with a population of nearly
30,000, Saratoga proudly preserves its pioneer heritage.
The Historical Museum, dedicated on July 4th, 1976, traces
the community's colorful history with displays of photos
and artifacts.

Content Provided by Saratoga Chamber of Commerce

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