Near Pipestem in Summers County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Mercer Salt Works

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, August 3, 2019

1. Mercer Salt Works Marker

Inscription. The Mercer Salt Works, located at the junction of New River and Lick Creek, began operation in 1850 and supplied salt to the southern part of western Virginia through the use of free and slave labor. On August 10, 1862. troops under Col. Rutherford B. Hayes burned the salt works. Rebuilt, it operated until 1866 when falling prices and fuel scarcity led to its closure.

Erected 2017 by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 30.791′ N, 80° 58.072′ W. Marker was near Pipestem, West Virginia, in Summers County. It was at the intersection of West Virginia Route 20 and Indian Ridge Road (County Road 26), on the right when traveling south on West Virginia Route 20. The marker stands just north of the entrance to Pipestem State Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 54 Indian Ridge Rd, Pipestem WV 25979, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Southern Coalfields.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies

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: Farley's Fort / Thomas Farley (within shouting distance of this marker); Pipestem Knob Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Neely "Plantation" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mercer County / Summers County (approx. 0.7 miles away); Jordan's Chapel (approx. 2.2 miles away); Bluestone River (approx. 2.2 miles away); Pipestem Falls (approx. 2½ miles away); Bluestone National Scenic River (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pipestem.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, August 3, 2019

2. Mercer Salt Works Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, August 3, 2019

3. Mercer Salt Works Marker

Photographed by Dave W, August 18, 2024

4. Mercer Salt Works Marker

This is what is left of the marker and the pole being nearly covered by vegetation.

Photographed by Dave W, August 18, 2024

5. Mercer Salt Works Marker

The remains of the marker are just visible here through the vegetation.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2019, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,064 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on August 19, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2019, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.