Photo: Great Salt Works

Photographer: Mike Wintermantel
Taken: November 5, 2011
Caption: Great Salt Works
Additional Description: Saltsburg Incorporated 1838 Named for the many salt works in the vicinity Great Salt Works Salt Industry The most outstanding early industry in Indiana County was the manufacturing of salt in the Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh Valley. The commercial production of salt began here in 1813. By 1816 a major salt boom was underway with 8 wells and 14 furnaces working and produced 100 bushels of salt per day by evaporation. The salt boom resulted in the founding of a new town called Saltsburg in the fall of 1816 by Andrew Boggs, who was one of the early operators of the salt works in the area. Saltsburg quickly developed due to the salt industry and to the opening of the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Canal through the town in 1829. Saltsburg was incorporated as a borough on April 16, 1838. By 1830 there were over 21 salt work within 2 miles of Saltsburg. The average salt works produced one bushel of salt from 80 gallons of water (brine). Donated by the Saltsburg Area Branch Historical Society Inc., of Indiana County
Submitted: November 5, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Database Locator Identification Number: p179651
File Size: 2.494 Megabytes

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