First Rock Salt Mine

Salt had been evaporated from brine springs on Avery Island since 1791. On May 4, 1862, workmen enlarging these springs to produce more salt for the Confederacy struck solid salt at a depth of 16 feet. Mining operations, the first of this type in North America, then began and continued until Union forces destroyed the salt works on April 17, 1863.

Delcambre, Louisiana · United States