Carlsbad Sanitarium/Hotel Russell/Multi-use Building

Historians could encapsulate the essence of 6 Franklin Square in one word: fortitude.

Over the past 180 years, the building morphed from "most handsomely arranged dwelling in Saratoga" to "sanitarium" to " luxury hotel" and, in its grey period, "fire hazard" until finally returning to grandeur as a multi-use building.

Despite the obstacles and challenges of owning a large, old wooden structure in one of Saratoga's most famous squares, each owner's fortitude kept this historic landmark alive.

(left): This postcard from The Beatrice Sweeney postcard collection shows the Carlsbad Hotel. Sweeney successfully nominated the Franklin Square Historic District to the National Registry of Historic Places.
(right): The Hotel Russell’s address was once listed as 1 Clinton Street. Due to its prominent Franklin Square location the official address is 6 Franklin Square. Photo courtesy of the George S. Bolster Collection.

The Marvin Brothers, proprietors of the nearby United States Hotel, were the property's first owners in 1839 in what Assemblywoman and former director of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, Carrie Woerner, describes as the "first fashionable neighborhood in Saratoga Springs." Purportedly the neighborhood was first called Marvin Square, after the Marvin Brothers. Later, the Marvins renamed it Franklin Square in honor of Benjamin Franklin.

The next time you pass this magnificent building, stop, and notice its varied architecture. Notice the original Federal and Greek Revival elements, modified in the 1890s with the addition of Colonial Revival porch columns. Today’s structure consists of two separate buildings combined by Dr. E. Valencourt Deuell in 1893. A January 21, 1893 news article in The Argus states, "Dr. Ethan Deuell has purchased from Mrs. Ruth Corey her cottage and grounds on the northwest corner of Clinton and Division streets, fronting Franklin Square, and also the Sackett cottage and vacant lot on Division Street. He will remove the latter building and unite the lots with the Corey premises."

Dr. Deuell was an esteemed surgeon and physician. He served as an Army surgeon in the Civil War and was an expert on cholera treatment. After the war, he pursued his interest in treating patients holistically by touring Europe's grand spas to study this approach. His favorite was the Bohemian spa Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), inspiring him to employ "The Carlsbad system" - a holistic health care approach of diet, exercise, and use of mineral waters- under his medical supervision in Saratoga Springs. So, in the early 1890s, this former Little Rock, Arkansas resident relocated his family north to fulfill his dream.

In 1893, he purchased 6 Franklin Square and turned it into the Carlsbad Sanitarium, named after his favorite European spa- The Carlsbad.

The hotel's convenient location, unsurpassed food and table service, and physician-monitored health regime attracted well-to-do customers. As the hotel prospered, three additions occurred: in 1901, Deuell added a wing on the north side; the following spring, he had a third story constructed over the main building; and finally, in 1903, a three-story extension to the main building added 22 guest rooms with private baths.

Deuell's dream of making Saratoga the world's No. 1 spa resort was cut short when he died of a coronary rupture while testifying in the 1905 case of Dr. Richard McCarty versus the Natural Carbonic Gas Company. McCarty's hospital was near the gas company, and he felt its smoke damaged his property. McCarty asked Deuell to serve as an expert witness on the detrimental effects of soft coal smoke on the respiratory system. Deuell's shocking death on the witness stand interrupted the trial and stunned the community.

In 1893, he purchased 6 Franklin Square and turned it into the Carlsbad Sanitarium, named after his favorite European spa- The Carlsbad.

(top left): This 1968 photo from the Russell family shows the kitchen staff preparing breakfast.
(bottom left): Turn of the century view of the Carlsbad. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
(right): Charles and Elizabeth Russell outside of their hotel. Photo courtesy of the Russell family.

Extended family member Tom Moore says, "As a child, it was a magical place to wander through and play, filled with secret hiding places and interesting objects."

Moore even worked there one summer and recalled "the classic, majestic porch with a high ceiling and imposing pillars. It felt private as vines grew up high on trellises. Guests passed the time out there on rocking chairs."

But despite its charm, owning a hotel presents challenges. The World War II years were tough. Tourists were few, yet Charlie wanted to continue his daily breakfast service. Coffee was rationed. Somehow, he secured it on the Black Market and safely hid it in the attic. Unfortunately, a second-floor gas heater caused a fire that spread to the attic- the distinctive smell of roasting coffee emanated throughout Franklin Square, much to Elizabeth's embarrassment.

Keeping track of keys for the sprawling hotel took a lot of work. Russell made his life easier by getting the same skeleton master key for every room. At the start of each summer, he got 50 identical keys from the hardware store, unbeknownst to his guests.

In the summer of 1968, the Russell family felt 89-year-old Charlie Russell should consider closing the hotel. His son, David, took a leave from his job and spent the summer living and working at the hotel. At the end of the 1968 season, the family reported that the business barely broke even. The elder Russell didn't care- he loved what he did and continued running the hotel for another three years until his 1971 death.

(top left): Vestibule of the 15 apartments of 6 Franklin Square
(bottom left): This sign hung in the Hotel Russell. Photo courtesy of Tom Moore.
(top right): The Hotel Russell was a popular site for conferences.
(bottom right): Interior of Lily’s Saratoga

The Russell family sold the declining hotel to Edward VanHarthorne. He briefly ran it as the Hilo Hart Hotel before moving to Hawaii.

It was a dark period for Hotel Russell and Saratoga. Vacant turn-of-the-century buildings were the rule rather than the exception, especially in the Franklin Square area. As a result, the roof leaked, vagrants broke windows to gain entry, and the foundation crumbled. Nevertheless, unsung hero Bob Israel, a reasonably new Saratoga Springs resident who loved the city, purchased it for $25,000 in 1982.

Despite its National Register of Historic Places status, no one thought 6 Franklin Square could be saved.

"Everyone assumed I would tear it down. On the day of the bank closing, we had a rainstorm. As I walked in to view my purchase, I was faced with a stream of water running down the front staircase," says Israel.

Fortunately for Saratoga Springs, the persistent Israel didn't tear it down. Instead, with the help of grants and the city's Facade Easement Program, he took on his most extensive renovation program to date: a multi-use property. He reconfigured the space to create 15 unique low-to-moderate-rent apartments. His vision has always been to help "the working poor."

Additionally, he created six commercial units.

Today, passers-by can't help but slow down and admire the fashionable bridal dresses, one in each of the three large front windows of Lily's Saratoga. The famous bridal shop is now an attractive central feature of Franklin Square.

The obstacles Israel faced filled a notebook. Initially, neighbors were fearful of traffic and parking problems. Israel solved parking by buying the building across the street that includes a large lot. Currently, Israel’s Franklin Square Associates, run by Charlie Israel, owns five buildings in the Franklin Square neighborhood. They are heavily invested in the neighborhood’s well-being.

The fortitude and determination of men like Deuell, the Russells, and Israel helped save a critical piece of Saratoga's story. Their courage and resolve helped make us the community we are today.

Author's Note:

Thanks to Joe Bokan, Tom Moore, Tommy Russell, Bob Israel, and Helen Edelman for granting interviews and to Mitch Cohen for his deed research.