Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Salt Production

-Circa 1830-

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 21, 2024

1. Salt Production Marker

Inscription. Necessary as a food preservative in the days before refrigeration, salt was a highly prized commodity. In 1830 Richard Fitzpatrick acquired 100 acres of wetlands and divided the area into large compartments, creating flat drying pans that were periodically flooded with the incoming tide. When the water evaporated, layers of sea salt could be scraped from the pan. Salt was produced this way in Key West until the industry ended with the loss of fifteen thousand bushels washed away by the 1876 hurricane.

Key West Historic Marker
Free Audio Walking Tour Call: 305-507-0300

Erected by Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 56.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 24° 33.368′ N, 81° 46.677′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Flagler Avenue and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east on Flagler Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2027 Flagler Ave, Key West FL 33040, United States of America.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Martinez Havana Company Factory (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indian Block (about 600 feet away); Blue Freedom (approx. 0.3 miles away); Nyad (approx. half a mile away); José Martí Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bruce Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Eloy Angel Rodriguez (approx. 0.6 miles away); All Gave Some, Some Gave All (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 21, 2024

2. Salt Production Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.