Boone's Lick Today

Boone's Lick Today. Boone's Lick State Historic Site. The Boone's Lick is reached by descending a trail to the site of the spring. The trail has some difficult inclines and stairs. , The spring basin is quiet today, in contrast to the activities that took place here from 1805 until 1900. Trees have grown back after the virgin forest was cut down to provide firewood to fuel the salt furnaces. Much of what remains of the salt works is buried by the effects of time. Still visible is the spring box, constructed to allow lifting of the saline water by a large, human-powered wheel. The wood has been partially preserved due to the action of the saline water, which in essence pickled the wood. , A walk on the short trail around the spring basin will give you a sense of how concentrated the activity was during the times of salt production. The processes involved many men, animals and structures that allowed the early settlers to make living off the land in a wilderness that was harsh and challenging. The salt produced was vital to the economic growth of the area and the daily lives of the settlers. Salt was an essential part of food preservation and the curing and tanning of animal hides. Hundreds of people made a living right here; perhaps their spirit lives on in the memories of present-day visitors.