Buchanan in Llano County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
C.S.A. Salt Works
Photographed by Chris Talley, November 28, 2025
1. C.S.A. Salt Works Marker
Restored by Chris and Nicole
Located between Tow Valley and Old Bluffton, 15 mi. NE. Since 1935 under Lake Buchanan. During Civil War made salt for table, meat preserving, diet of cavalry horses, tanning hides. A day's boiling in 100 iron 250-gallon kettles produced 20 to 30 bushels of salt. Cooled, sacked and hauled out, this met Texas' wartime shortages. First Llano County District Court was held at Salt Works. Stagecoach stand nearby. Brine here was from Cambrian Sea waters trapped 500 million years ago in sand and strata. Indians led first settler here.
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 14617.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 30° 44.287′ N, 98° 26.444′ W. Marker is in Buchanan, Texas, in Llano County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 29 and State Highway 261 on State Highway 29. Located 1 mile west of Buchanan Dam. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buchanan Dam TX 78609, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country. Globally, it is in 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 Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Granite Industry in Llano County (a few
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on Tow, TX that discusses the salt works. (Submitted on December 30, 2011, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
2. 1925 Tow, TX topo map which covers the salt works. This map is part of the University of Texas, Austin, Perry-Castaρeda Library Map Collection. Please note this map predates the creation of Buchanan Dam, finished in 1937 creating Lake Buchanan. (Submitted on January 16, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
3. Restoring Texas Historical Marker 14617 "C.S.A. Salt Works". (Submitted on December 15, 2025, by Chris Talley of Bryan, Texas.)
Photographed by Kayla Harper, November 27, 2019
2. C.S.A. Salt Works Marker
Photographed by Richard Denney, December 30, 2011
3. C.S.A. Saltworks Marker
Photographed by Richard Denney, December 30, 2011
4. C.S.A. Saltworks Marker
A bit of Lake Buchanan is visible in the distance.
Photographed by Richard Denney, January 15, 2012
5. Photo of general area of the salt works
This photo shows the general area of Lake Buchanan where the salt works were located, now called Maxwell's Slough on maps (lat/long 30.855006,-98.43574). Photo was taken aboard the Texas Vanishing River Cruise.
Photographed by Kayla Harper, November 27, 2019
6. C.S.A. Salt Works Marker
The Granite Industry in Llano County Marker can be seen to the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2011, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 5,146 times since then and 235 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 15, 2025, by Chris Talley of Bryan, Texas. 2. submitted on November 29, 2019, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on December 30, 2011, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 5. submitted on January 16, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 6. submitted on November 29, 2019, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
