Tracing the Origins of the Club Sandwich:

While the Union Club of New York City and the Saratoga Club House in Saratoga Springs both catered to a wealthy clientele in the late 19th century, there was no direct, ongoing rivalry between them in terms of competition for members or social standing. The Union Club was a traditional, conservative social club, while the Saratoga Club House was primarily a high-stakes gambling establishment. The most notable point of contention, or shared historical claim, revolves around the invention of the club sandwich, with both institutions having put forth claims to being its birthplace, though historical evidence often leans towards the Union Club.

Turkey Club Sandwich | Harry Caray's, Chicago, IL

The  exact origin of the Turkey Club sandwich is uncertain, and there isn't a  single credited inventor. Although, legend has it that the origin of  the name "club sandwich" stems from a social club in Saratoga Springs,  New York, called the Saratoga Club. The story goes that in the late 19th  century, a member of the club ordered a sandwich with turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Impressed by the sandwich, he suggested it be added  to the club's menu. The sandwich gained popularity among other members,  and as it became a regular item, it was eventually referred to as the "club sandwich." 

Here  is another, attributing the name to Fraser Scrutton, who supposedly  created it at the exclusive Union Club of New York City. An early recipe from the Union Club described a sandwich made with "two toasted pieces of Graham bread, with a layer of turkey or chicken and ham between them,  served warm." Interestingly, this culinary variation persists in modern  times, as a club sandwich can now feature various ingredients beyond  chicken as the primary component.

John William Casilear 

Lake George, 1857 

Oil on canvas | The MET 15.30.64 

In this painting of Lake George, one of John W. Casilear's favorite sites in the Adirondack Mountains, the influence of his sketching companion, John Frederick Kensett, is unmistakable in the treatment of the water and light. Casilear, a native of Saratoga Springs, captures the serene beauty of the lake, a relatively short distance from his hometown. His background as an engraver is evident in the highly finished quality of the canvas and the meticulous attention to detail in the foreground's foliage and rock formations. A profound sense of calm pervades the scene, with not a single ripple disturbing the lake's surface. The vantage point is from the western shore, offering a southerly view toward Black Mountain.

Chicken Club Sandwich, The Wharf | Laguna Beach, CA (Closed)

Over time, variations of the classic club sandwich emerged, with the Turkey Club becoming a standout favorite among turkey lovers. Characterized by its triple-decker layers of toasted bread, sliced turkey, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and often mayonnaise, the Turkey Club has earned its place as a staple on deli, restaurant, and sandwich shop menus around the world. While no single individual is credited with inventing the Turkey Club, its enduring popularity speaks to the timeless appeal of its simple yet satisfying combination of flavors. It remains a beloved classic, celebrated by sandwich enthusiasts for generations.

John Frederick Kensett 

Hudson River Scene, 1857 

 Oil on canvas | The MET 07.162 

Much like the area around Saratoga Springs, a pivotal site in the American Revolution, the region around West Point, New York, where the Hudson River flows between picturesque mountains, captivated many Hudson River School artists, including Kensett. The artist painted numerous views of this site near Fort Putnam, a then-dilapidated relic of the Revolutionary War. From his elevated vantage point, Kensett recorded the disparate levels of terrain and varying effects of light and shadow—from the sunlit meadow in the foreground to the dark foliage along the deep ravine and the glowing surface of the river below. Both locations, steeped in history and natural beauty, offered rich subject matter for artists of the era.