Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Purchases Pair ofClinton Street Cottages 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation has purchased 128-130 Clinton Street, two small cottages on one property that have been on the Foundation’s endangered property list for more than a decade. 

Based on preliminary research, it appears that the house at 130 Clinton St., built circa 1877, was constructed on the property by Dennis O’Brien, who was listed as a laborer residing at 108 Clinton St.  It is particularly unique because it is the only example of a shotgun style residence in Saratoga Springs.  O’Brien built the second house, a one-and-a-half- story vernacular front gable house with a full-width front porch, at 128 Clinton St. in 1883.  Both houses were built as rental properties. 

According to the directories, the residents of the two houses were laborers, coachmen, teamsters, farmers, maids, gardeners, firemen, and employees of various businesses.  In 1965, Nettie B. Dekalb and her son Ronald Dekalb acquired the property.  The DeKalbs moved into 128 Clinton and rented 130 Clinton to others.

 It was during the DeKalb family ownership that the houses fell into disrepair and became vacant.  Earlier this year, the Foundation attempted to contact the owner to provide assistance to preserve the buildings or to offer to purchase the property.  Their attempts went unanswered.  Neighbors expressed concern that the buildings would be lost when they saw the red X’s appear on the buildings, indicating that the buildings were unsafe for first responders to enter. 

In September, local builder, Dave Trojanski acquired the property with the intention of redeveloping it. The Foundation subsequently purchased it from Trojanski.

The Foundation is in the early stages of evaluating the structures and determining next steps for the project. To donate to the Clinton Street Comeback Campaign and to get updates on the project, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030.