Salt in the United States

Where there is salt, there are people. For instance, along the Kanawha River in West Virginia, or near Onondaga, New York, deer and buffalo would travel to salt springs to lick salt. Native Americans followed the animal trails in search of a salt supply. Upon discovery of salt and brine springs, Native Americans set up kettles and boiled brines in order to produce salt.

Salt is an essential commodity. Abundant sources of salt in a region typically led to innovation in searching it out and in production methods, thereby spawning adjunct industries in the area. Salt-producing towns have enriched local history, and many American cities and landmarks memorialize the importance of salt.