West Point Polka, 1847

In 1847, New York dance “professor” Pierre Saracco dedicated three dances to the cadets of the United States Military Academy, who he claims to have taught. Saracco was known for inventing dances and is credited with introducing a five-step waltz. The songs were composed by a Mr. F. Raggio, about whom I can find almost no information. Saracco had a dance studio at 50 Canal Street in 1847 and then at 110 Grand Street in 1849. He seems to have opened a satellite academy in Brooklyn in 1851. By the late 1850s, advertisements for his dance instruction appear in Buffalo and Philadelphia. I am not sure if he moved or franchised.

One of the three dances dedicated to cadets was the “West Point Polka,” which I’ve recreated for you at the video link below! The tempo is a guess, but is within the range of similar dances of the time. Enjoy, like, subscribe, and tell a friend.