The Olde Bryan Inn

The High Rock Spring is located across Maple Avenue from The Olde Bryan Inn. Tradition says that Native Americans of the Saratoga region visited the High Rock Spring as early as 1300 to gain strength from the “Medicine Spring of the Great Spirit.” As to the identity of the first white man to visit the springs we cannot be certain. There is reason to believe that an ailing French officer from Fort Carillon, near Rensselaer, was carried to the spring by the Native Americans in the late 1750’s. However, the first visitor to attract special attention to the area was Sir William Johnson in 1771. Johnson was suffering from a wound received in the Battle of Lake George and was carried from Johnstown to High Rock Spring by a Mohawk tribe. After a stay of several days, his health improved noticeably so that he was able to walk during a portion of the return trip. Due to Sir William’s distinguished stature, the reputation of the spring grew quickly.