Thirty years ago today, in the cold early morning hours of December 19, 1990, a bartender living in the basement of Chacho’s bar awoke “to the smell of smoke and the roar of fire.”1 Caldwell’s historic Saratoga Hotel was ablaze.
Firefighters from neighboring towns were called to help put out the arson-suspected fire, but as one news station described it,
“they really had no chance of saving the old Saratoga hotel. Flames ripped through the building shortly after three this morning and within hours the four-story wooden structure was gone.”
Newscast. KTVB News. 1990. Television broadcast.
The Saratoga was gone. More than a structure, she was both the main setting and a central character for much of the story of Caldwell. She was witness to the successes and failures of a small town, the growth and decline of Main Street, and the entrepreneurs who passed in and out of her doors.
Although many of the building’s famous antiques had been auctioned off a few months prior, the newest owners of the building had not yet removed all of the pieces, which resulted in a considerable financial loss.
It was also a loss for our community- built in the early 1900’s the old gal served as a hotel, a commercial center, apartment living, a bar and several restaurants. The hotel played host to celebrities, an infamous assassin, sports heroes, and everyday folk enjoying a good meal on a Saturday night. It was the place to celebrate a special occasion, entertain out of town guests, and a place to see and be seen.
Folks living today will remember the Saratoga during the period it was owned by my grandfather, Bob Bushnell. Those chapters of the building’s history center around the restaurant, which became known in the region for Bob’s eccentric choices in decorating. Stuffed with antiques and oddities, the Saratoga Restaurant was a truly unique experience.
I began what I’m calling “The Saratoga Project” with an interest in finding stories from the restaurant years (1960-1990) because they are, for me, the memories that match up with my favorite stories from my grandparents, the photos in their scrapbooks, and the people of this community that have had the greatest influence on me.
After many hours of interviews and sifting through piles of newspaper clippings, photographs, and items, I’d like to start sharing these treasures with you and celebrate your memories.
What’s your Saratoga story?
“We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.”
– Winston Churchill
1 Matin, Steve. “Saratoga Burns: Historic Caldwell landmark leveled in early morning fire.” Idaho Press Tribune, 19 Dec. 1990 p1