The Salt Works

By the time expedition members reached the lower Columbia River region, they were out of salt. The precious commodity was desired for seasoning, but more importantly, was essential for meat preservation. They found a site about 15 miles from Fort Clatsop, set up camp and boiled sea water around the clock in brass kettles atop a furnace built of stones. At the Salt Works, in what is now Seaside, Oregon, the men made up to a gallon a day of what Captain Meriwether Lewis described as “excellent, fine, strong and white” salt, producing enough for the trip home. A replica of the Salt Works was built in 1955, based on sketches from the journals of Lewis and Clark. The site is now a national monument. Visitors to Seaside, a popular coastal town, can join the locals in fishing, surfing, kayaking, crabbing, bird watching and hiking. Those visiting in spring or winter are in for a treat – get ready to see gray whales migrating along the coast.