Skip to content

Seaside Stories

Salt Making in Seaside

March 9, 2011 | by Becky Jensen

Seaside is an amazing town! It’s full of wonderful and diverse things to do year-round. From bicycling along the Prom, enjoying a fabulous meal with an oceanfront view, or exploring the different shops; Seaside offers endless opportunities to do what you love. One of my favorite things to do is exploring historical places. Seaside has many historical sights and wonders throughout the town; including the Seaside Salt Works.

To reach the Salt Works display, turn west on Avenue G (from 101) and follow the green signs to South Beach Drive and Lewis & Clark Way. The Salt Works marks the site where the Lewis and Clark expedition set up a camp to obtain salt for use at Fort Clatsop and on the return journey home to St. Louis. Today there is a reconstruction of the original furnace, which was used to boil down the ocean water to collect the salt residue. I’ve taken my after school kids to the Salt Works after a day at Fort Clatsop to get the full significance of the Lewis and Clark experience (and how far they had to travel just to make salt).

A little history about the Salt Works; on December 28, 1805 the Lewis and Clark sent five men to establish a salt camp. Five days later, they found an ideal place on the seacoast fifteen miles southwest of Fort Clatsop (the seawater had a high salt content here, and game and wood were abundant). The saltmakers boiled approximately 1,400 gallons of seawater over the next several weeks. Three-and-one-half bushels of salt were produced for the return trip to St. Louis.

In 1900 the long-forgotten site was re-established by the Oregon Historical Society as a memorial to the Corps of Discovery. In 1979, the site was donated by the Oregon Historical Society as an addition to Fort Clatsop National Memorial. An interesting fact was that the only reason they wanted salt was for seasoning their food. But we know now that salt helps you to retain water in warm weather (to prevent dehydration), so the salt was extremely beneficial for their return trip during those warm summer months.

Thankfully we can just go to the store to get our salt, but a trip to the Salt Works will make you truly appreciate the process.

Leave a Reply

and so much more!

Episode One: Grave of the Unknown sailor

The Seaside Audio Walking Tour exploring the mysterious grave of the unknown sailor.

Learn More
Seaside Is Your Whale-Watching Home Base

Want to see whales on the Oregon Coast? There’s no better home base than Seaside. Set yourself up in cozy beachfront lodgings, s...

Learn More
Elevated View

The highest point in Seaside, Oregon in the 1920s.

Learn More
Top Things to Do With Teens

Traveling with too-cool-for-school teens? I feel you. I have two teenagers myself. But be assured, you’ll find plenty of totally...

Learn More
Honeymooning in Seaside

Part of the fun of planning a wedding is also planning the honeymoon (and I’ve been collecting ideas for both)! Many couples dream of the ideal honeymoon location, and on the top of their list should be Seaside! Sand, sea, and surf, along with amazing places to stay, eat, and be merry.

Learn More
Enjoying the Breaks in Weather

Seaside and Oregon Coast offer unique setting for the rising and setting of the sun.

Learn More
How to Bike Seaside in Every Season

If you like to ride a bike, there’s something for everyone in Seaside and something for every season, too. Be it a family of five, an avid mountain biker, friends on a weekend outing, a couple on a date, or someone who likes to combine biking and outdoor exploration, Seaside’s trails and roads, paved and otherwise, have you covered. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy biking in Seaside throughout the year. Here are some great biking experiences recent visitors have enjoyed in and around Seaside. Get inspired to plan your own trip.

Learn More
So Close, But a World Away

A couple explores Seaside as modern-day Lewis and Clark Adventurers

Learn More
Everything but War

An image of a classic World War II sign that point from Seaside to all of the major conflicts raging around the world

Learn More
Where to P.L.A.Y. in Seaside

The park is nestled next to Neawanna Creek where ducks float lazily by, a tree lined mountainside looming in the distance. Do a 180 and you get a great view of Tillamook Head to the south.

Learn More
I’ll See You at the Nat

A brief look at Seaside history of Natatoriums

Learn More
Seeing Seaside on a Surrey

Cruising around Seaside on a Surrey can be great exercise and a scenic journey

Learn More
Insider Tips: Exploring the Prom Like a Local

It’s difficult to imagine Seaside without the historic Promenade, the famous lamp-lined trail that stretches along the sandy bea...

Learn More
Top Things to Do With Young Kids

Seaside has long been a favorite family retreat, but it’s an especially good choice for families with young children. Why? Becau...

Learn More
Miss Oregon Parade: 1950

A brief look at the Miss Oregon Parade circa 1950.

Learn More
Hiking Saddle Mountain is one of our four favorite hikes around Seaside.
4 Favorite Hikes Around Town

The sheer variety of trails in and around Seasie Oregon means you have plenty of hiking options, from kid-friendly strolls on the Prom to more strenuous climbs with stunning views.

Learn More
My First Trip to Seaside

Recalling a memorable first trip to Seaside, Oregon

Learn More
MotorHome Magazine: Sea to River, Oregon’s Spectacular North Coast

Bobbie Hasselbring from MotorHome magazine attended a media Fam (Familiarization) Tour hosted by the City of Seaside Visitors Bure...

Learn More