Christmas in Old Saratoga By Charlie Kuenzel | History Cartoonist Thomas Nast was the first to draw Santa Claus; his imagery heavily influencing how St. Nick is depicted today. This cartoon “Merry Old Santa Claus” was seen in Harper’s Weekly 1881.
As we approach Christmas 2020 we sometimes forget that the holiday traditions we celebrate today in Saratoga Springs have not always been in practice, especially during the 1800’s. A walk around Saratoga Springs in the 19th century would have not offered glimpses of decorated-lighted houses, lawn inflatables and the names of Rudolph, Grinch and Frosty. It was a different time and a different village.