The Saratoga County Homestead was a large hospital famous for treating tuberculosis patients. The building is located in the hamlet of Barkersville, also known as East Galway, in the province of New York.
Initially, it was opened in 1914 and treated patients suffering from TB until 1960. The building was made of wood and then replaced with bricks. In 1961, it was reopened as The Saratoga County Infirmary. This essay delves into the introduction, history, and patient life at the Saratoga County Homestead, exploring the threads that weave this institution into the fabric of the community.
History
The Saratoga County Homestead stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of care and compassion. This historic institution has played a vital role in the community, serving as a haven for those in need of long-term care and rehabilitation. In the early 1900s, Horace Carpentier’s father gave him a plot of land near Barkersville, New York. This land was his father’s homestead, and it ultimately became the site of the Saratoga County Homestead.
Patient life
Patients were instructed to bring clothing and toiletries with them when they arrived at the Homestead. I obtained a copy of the 1930 annual report, which stated that patients should bring two suits of light underwear, three pairs of stockings, a bathrobe, a pair of pajamas, a pair of slippers, a pair of rubbers (whatever that means), two changes of outside dress, and toilet materials. These were the prerequisites for summer enrollment. All personal belongings had to be identified with their names inscribed in “Indian ink” on them.
As a Movie Location for The Expedition
In 2004, a group of Canadian thrill seekers traveled to Saratoga County to produce a documentary on the Saratoga County Homestead on Halloween night. Unfortunately, the film production ended in tragedy when a crewmember named Thomas King went missing.
The film “The Expedition” was released four years later, in 2008. Nigel Hartwell directed the film, which had a budget of thirty thousand Canadian dollars and was based on events that allegedly occurred in 2004. Overall, the film received unfavorable reviews (4.4/10 on IMDB). The movie poster claims it is based on genuine occurrences; however, there are no trustworthy sources or news articles covering anything that was reported, so it’s best to stay skeptical.
Is saratoga county homestead haunted?
For the past 43 years, the Saratoga County Homestead has been abandoned. The Homestead, which is frequently claimed to be haunted, was featured on the Travel Channel’s “Destination Fear” in 2020.
Why is saratoga county homestead abandoned?
Let us tell our avid readers that this hospital is fully abandoned now a days. It is one of the oldest building in town. The government discontinued the grants and decided to sale it due to high repair costing.
Saratoga county asylum up for sale
The county authorities invited the public to participate in the Saratoga County Homestead online auction in year 2019. The starting bid on the Auctions International website was $30,100 for the two-building property on 28.61 acres valued at $224,194. However, the top bid for asylum was $55, 100 only.
Wrapping Up
To wrap it up, The Saratoga County Homestead stands as a living testament to history. Additionally, many thrill seekers have often traveled to this building with the hopes of capturing ghost activities. However, not everyone is familiar with the presence of this prestigious infirmary.
In September 2019, the homestead was sold at a tax auction to the current owner, James Walk of Corinth, Texas. The Homestead is slated for restoration, and James is collaborating with a local contact to begin booking photographic tours, which will eventually allow access to the majority of the facility.
