SALT
The Importance of Salt
When was the last time you were concerned that there wasn’t enough salt for your family to survive?
Never! . . .
We forget how important salt is in our diet, because most people today are worried about having too much salt in their diet and watch packaging to see how much sodium is in each product. It is true that too much sodium contributes to kidney disease, high blood pressure and more problems. However, total lack of salt in the diet can lead to shock, coma and more.
Why do we need salt? It helps to maintain the volume of blood and tissue fluids, helping nerve and muscle functions.
Salt: A Survival Necessity
In the 6th Century, salt and gold were of equal value, ounce for ounce and often traded. Salt flavors food, allows meats to be preserved, and was used for medical treatments. Native Americans made salt by boiling brine from salt springs. The early northern colonists bought salt from the British Caribbeans and Liverpool where brine was pumped from a mine. In 1614, colonists went to Smith’s Island in Virginia to start making salt Developing salt springs in the colonies was very important to our independence.
Salt in early America was important in maintaining the health of livestock, in tanning of leather, and in food preservation. Salt was needed for canning and drying foods, and preserving meat. Settlers relied on salt to cure meats for winter storage and long journeys.
What about the Importance of Salt to Early Settlers in Northeast Ohio?
When early settlers arrived in Northeast Ohio, they quickly discovered that salt was one of the most valuable resources they could obtain. While today we take salt for granted, it was a crucial commodity for survival, preservation, and trade. The presence of natural salt springs in the region played a significant role in shaping settlement patterns, local economies, and even conflicts.
For pioneers in Northeast Ohio, salt was essential for several reasons:
Food Preservation – Before refrigeration, salt was the primary means of preserving meat and other perishables. Settlers relied on salt to cure meats for winter storage and long journeys.
Livestock and Agriculture – Salt was needed to maintain the health of livestock. Farmers provided their animals with salt to keep them healthy and strong. They also used it for leather tanning and food preservation.
Human Health – Settlers understood that salt was necessary for their own well-being, preventing deficiencies that could lead to health issues.
This picture is deceiving. It looks like salt is just laying around waiting to be picked up. The saltwater had to be boiled to remove the water.
Making salt was tedious process. One settler that was captured by the Native Americans was put to work by them making salt. After days of making salt he said he would rather die right there than having to keep making salt.
The Role of Salt Springs
One of the most critical sources of salt for settlers was natural salt springs. In Northeast Ohio, these springs provided a renewable source of saltwater, which could be boiled down to extract the valuable mineral. The salt springs along the Mahoning River in Northeast Ohio played a pivotal role in the region's early history, serving as essential resources for both Native American tribes and European settlers.
Location and Early Use
These natural salt springs were located in what is now Weathersfield Township, Trumbull County, near present-day Niles. Native Americans, including the Lenape (Delaware) and Shawnee tribes, utilized these springs for salt production, boiling the saline water to extract salt for preserving meat and other uses. The abundance of wildlife attracted to the salt licks also made the area favorable for hunting. As a matter of fact, the name Mahoning is believed to be derived from the Lenape word "mahonink," meaning "at the [salt] lick.” This reflects the importance of the area's association with the natural salt deposits.
By 1796, Reuben Harmon, an early settler in Weathersfield Township, purchased 500 acres including the springs. He and his wife Ruth had a successful salt business. (see our previous blog on them) In later days, the low salinity of the water rendered large-scale salt production unprofitable.
Conflicts over such resources were not uncommon in the broader Ohio region during the 1700s. Salt was a vital commodity for both Indigenous peoples and European settlers. This led to competition and occasional conflicts over access to salt springs. These disputes sometimes escalated into violence, reflecting the complex and contentious dynamics of early American frontier life. The Scioto Salt Springs, located south of the Mahoning River area, were significant sites where such tensions occurred. These springs were situated along the Great Indian War Path in Ohio, a major route. This area often saw violence because of the importance of these salt resources .
Decline and Legacy
By 1903, the once-prominent salt springs were covered due to railroad construction, marking the end of their direct use. Today, the legacy of these springs is commemorated by historical markers, such as one dedicated at Kerr Cemetery by the Mineral Ridge Historical Society and the Ohio History Connection.
The region's rich history, with the interplay between natural resources and human settlement in Northeast Ohio is evident in the Salt Springs along the Mahoning River.