CULTURAL LANDSCAPE INVENTORY FISH CREEK, AMERICAN POSITIONS Town of Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York

Pendelton, Philip

The study area, representing a portion of a larger historical resource identified by NPS as constituting the Siege of Saratoga battlefield (NY 226), is designated the Fish Creek American Positions. The study tract, approximately 100 acres in extent, straddles Fish Creek. There are two components to the 2010 Fish Creek American Positions project. One is an Archeological Verification study to document the American siege lines located on the south bank of Fish Creek. The second, for which this report was prepared, is a Cultural Landscape Inventory for the entire 100-acre study area. A portion of the Fish Creek American Position study area within the Victory Mills Complex and Milldam landscape unit, that is, a 6.5-acre parcel containing the main Victory Mills concrete and brick factory building constructed in 1918, is currently in process of being listed on the National Register. The nomination form contains a reference to the effect that the entire former Victory Mills property, including the circa 1847 mill building, should be listed if the owners become amenable to listing. The South Bank of Fish Creek and the Gutter landscape units are recommended as eligible for the National Register. The historic significance of the Siege of Saratoga (October 10-17, 1777), is well established with regard to American military history. As the concluding phase of the Burgoyne Campaign, leading directly to British General Sir John Burgoyne’s surrender of his army on October 17, the siege forms a watershed in the course of the Revolutionary War. Burgoyne’s surrender was probably the most important immediate factor in the attainment of the American alliance with France, which in turn made possible the ultimate American victory in the war. The area of significance for the Siege of Saratoga battlefield is that of military, the period of significance is 1777. The historic significance of the South Bank of Fish Creek and Gutter units is restricted to the history of the Siege of Saratoga in 1777. The Victory Village Center landscape unit appears to possess the potential for listing on the National Register as an historic district, due to its historical association with Victory Mills and its distinction as a representative example of an industrial village of the mid- to late nineteenth century. It is possible that the village center of Victory does not possess the necessary integrity to convey its historic significance. A conclusive recommendation of National Register eligibility for the village center would require an investigation to survey the area in detail and research its history comprehensively. Such an activity is beyond the scope of the present study, hence the Victory Village Center is recommended as deserving further study to determine its National Register eligibility.