Walking Directions: Continue walking on Congress Street. As you get to the bottom of the hill you will see a sign for Federal St. on the left. This was the original location of the Chicken Shack until Urban Renewal forced her move to Phila Street in town.
Introduction to Stop 16
The Story
Hattie’s Chicken Shack is an institution in Saratoga. The famous restaurant has been operating for almost 100 years. Born in Louisiana, Hattie Austin Mosley arrived in Saratoga in the 1930s from Chicago where she worked for the very wealthy industrialist A.E. Staley, owner of Staley Corn Processing Company.
In 1938 she opened the original “Hattie’s Chicken Shack” on Congress and Federal Street with a $33 investment. Hattie’s evolved into more than just a popular eatery famous for her fried chicken and southern food. The restaurant was the neighborhood gathering place for locals, celebrities and visitors from all walks of life. Hattie’s was open 24 hours a day during the summer season drawing crowds of late night revelers from nearby jazz clubs and cabarets after closing hours as well as the locals from the neighborhood.
According to an article from DiscoverSaratoga.com (2/1/2022) Hattie reportedly said of this era: “Saratoga was fast man. It was real fast. It was up all night long”. Hattie lost her original restaurant to urban renewal but relocated to Phila Street where it continues to be a popular destination Amon locals and tourists alike. Hattie sold the business before she died in 1998.
Listen
Mabel Biddie Anthony worked for Hattie in the summers. They became lifelong friends. In the clip Biddie talks about an incident with the other waitresses at Hatties during one hot summer evening in the 1940s.
Anita Skinner Turner recalls Hattie at a later time in the 1950s:
Artwork
One of many prepatory sketches done for the larger narrative painting.
