On an Indian-infested frontier one hundred twenty-five miles beyond Fort Belknap and the outer settlements, the Double Mountain Salt Works operated as the northernmost business in Confederate Texas. It was established at great risk to obtain salt, which was scarce during the Civil War and vitally needed to cure meat, season food, cure hides for leather, and feed work horses, army draft mules, and cavalry horses. The Texas Legislature appropriated funds for explorations on the Brazos by a civil engineer. Double Mountain spring water proved to be ninety-eight percent salt, and a nearby lake forty-five percent. Reduction of brine was under the control of the Texas Military Board, and troops guarded the work.