The Confederate Salt Works

Title: CONFEDERATE SALT WORKS

Location:  The marker was located on U.S.98 past Phillips Inlet Bridge West of Panama.  However, the marker has been missing for some time.

County: Bay
City: Panama City

Description: St. Andrews Bay was a major source of salt for the Confederacy. An estimated 2,500 men were engaged in manufacturing salt of a very high quality. Salt was removed by evaporation from the salt water of the bay. The salt was valuable because it was the only way to preserve food.  The landlocked Bay was sheltered and safe during the war as it contained numerous arms and an extensive shoreline. Beginning in September, 1862, many Federal raids were directed against the works. Rebuilt as soon as Union forces destroyed them, the works remained in effective operation through February, 1865.