HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY: SALT LANDS OF CLARKE

HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY: SALT LANDS OF CLARKE

In March, 1819, the United States granted to the state of Alabama in trust for its people five sections of salt lands, two sections in Township 5 North, Range 2 East, and three sections in Township 7 North, Range 1 East. This county furnished much of the salt used in the South during the Civil War. Salt was made at three points in the county, designated as Lower Saltworks, Central Saltworks and Upper Saltworks. Central Saltworks was located in Section 34, Township 6 North, Range 2 East, the land being owned by a private individual. There were some salt springs on these lands, but these were not the only source from which salt water was obtained. Many overflowing wells were brought in and the supply of water is inexhaustible. These wells are still flowing and in silent tones seem to say: “Men may come and men may go; but we flow on forever.”