Old Salt Works
SE of Southard, Southard, OKThe old Salt Works is significant because of the role it played in the early settlement of Blaine County, Oklahoma and the industrial development of the region. The waters of Salt Creek are so ladened with salt that until just recent times dry salt on the edges of the water might accumulate to the depth of eight to ten inches. Southern Plains Indians utilized the deposits exclusively until the 1840s and 1850s when both white and red entrepreneurs gathered the salt for trade purposes. The most notable of the latter was Jesse Chisholm, a trader of Cherokee extraction for whom the famous cattle trail was later named. Systematic exploitation of the resource, however, awaited the opening of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Indian Reservation for white settlement in 1892 and the inclusion of the region into Oklahoma Territory.
In 1894 Jeff Saunders, an ex-cattle trail driver, designed and built the two large steel vats known as the old Salt Works. Where the pans were manufactured is unknown, but it is certain that Saunders had them shipped by rail to Oklahoma, probably Kingfisher, on the newly constructed Rock Island Railroad. From there he took them by wagon some thirty miles to the northwest, up Salt Creek, to the rugged terrain of their present location. Once in place, the works produced some 4,000 pounds of salt in ten hours. Saunders sold the product twenty-five cents per 100 pounds to local people and at $1 to $1.25 to more distant customers to pay for shipping. The founder of the old Salt Works, however, did not establish a successful business for himself, for his own facilities were too small and too inaccessible. But, however, he did pioneer a new industry.
Some four miles down stream from Saunders works on level ground and next to a new railroad track other entrepreneurs in 1901 established the community of Salton, later known as Ferguson Constructed at that location were two impressive salt plants, one of which was owned by the nationally known Morton Salt Company. The industry, attracting national capitol when Oklahoma was still a Territory, thrived for more than a decade. The old Salt Works, therefore, constituted the first systematic attempt in western Oklahoma to distill salt for profit and as such symbolizes the early settlement and industrial development of Blaine County, the region, and the state.
(Today there are no traces of the two facilities established at Ferguson).
Local significance of the site:
In 1894 Jeff Saunders, an ex-cattle trail driver, designed and built the two large steel vats known as the old Salt Works. Where the pans were manufactured is unknown, but it is certain that Saunders had them shipped by rail to Oklahoma, probably Kingfisher, on the newly constructed Rock Island Railroad. From there he took them by wagon some thirty miles to the northwest, up Salt Creek, to the rugged terrain of their present location. Once in place, the works produced some 4,000 pounds of salt in ten hours. Saunders sold the product twenty-five cents per 100 pounds to local people and at $1 to $1.25 to more distant customers to pay for shipping. The founder of the old Salt Works, however, did not establish a successful business for himself, for his own facilities were too small and too inaccessible. But, however, he did pioneer a new industry.
Some four miles down stream from Saunders works on level ground and next to a new railroad track other entrepreneurs in 1901 established the community of Salton, later known as Ferguson Constructed at that location were two impressive salt plants, one of which was owned by the nationally known Morton Salt Company. The industry, attracting national capitol when Oklahoma was still a Territory, thrived for more than a decade. The old Salt Works, therefore, constituted the first systematic attempt in western Oklahoma to distill salt for profit and as such symbolizes the early settlement and industrial development of Blaine County, the region, and the state.
(Today there are no traces of the two facilities established at Ferguson).
Industry; Exploration/settlement
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Oklahoma is home to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which celebrates the history and culture of the American West. The museum features exhibits on cowboy life, Native American culture, and the art of the American West.
About Blaine County
Blaine County Timeline
Blaine County is located in the state of Oklahoma, USA, and has a rich history that dates back to its early settlement by Native American tribes. The region was originally inhabited by various groups of Native Americans, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, who roamed the area for centuries before the arrival of European settlers.
In the 19th century, the land that would become Blaine County was part of the vast territory designated as Indian Territory. During this time, the United States government forcibly relocated Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the East to the western territories, including present-day Oklahoma. The establishment of Indian Territory opened up opportunities for non-Native settlers to homestead in the area.
Blaine County was officially established on November 16, 1892, when it was carved out of several neighboring counties. It was named in honor of James G. Blaine, a prominent politician and statesman of the time. The county seat was initially located in Watonga, which had been settled in the late 1880s.
The early economy of Blaine County revolved around agriculture, with farming and ranching playing a vital role. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought significant changes to the county's economy. Oil wells were established, attracting new industry and boosting the local economy. Today, Blaine County continues to be an important agricultural region, as well as benefiting from industries such as oil and gas production.
In the 19th century, the land that would become Blaine County was part of the vast territory designated as Indian Territory. During this time, the United States government forcibly relocated Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the East to the western territories, including present-day Oklahoma. The establishment of Indian Territory opened up opportunities for non-Native settlers to homestead in the area.
Blaine County was officially established on November 16, 1892, when it was carved out of several neighboring counties. It was named in honor of James G. Blaine, a prominent politician and statesman of the time. The county seat was initially located in Watonga, which had been settled in the late 1880s.
The early economy of Blaine County revolved around agriculture, with farming and ranching playing a vital role. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century brought significant changes to the county's economy. Oil wells were established, attracting new industry and boosting the local economy. Today, Blaine County continues to be an important agricultural region, as well as benefiting from industries such as oil and gas production.
Blaine County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Blaine County, Oklahoma.
- 1884 - Blaine County is established as part of the Oklahoma Territory
- 1906 - The town of Watonga becomes the county seat
- 1912 - Longdale, Canton, and Okeene are incorporated as towns
- 1947 - The Roman Nose State Park is established
- 1993 - The Blaine County Museum is opened in Watonga