Ledbetter Salt Work, C.S.A.
Albany, Shackelford County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Located 8 miles southwest on Salt Prong, Hubbard Creek. Discovered 1861 by trail drives. W. H. Ledbetter began extensive development of deposits in 1862 with increased Civil War demand for salt. A large furnace was built, kettles and materials for refining were brought from East Texas by wagon. Salt in large quantities was furnished Confederate troops west of the Mississippi, State Militia, area ranches and towns. Smoking or salting were only ways to preserve meat. When South levied a meat tithe, salt was vital to cure bacon for military. Back side Ledbetter Salt Works: Salt was a must for horses and mules used by cavalry, artillery and supply wagons. Hides were preserved with salt to make shoes and harness. Rangers used it to treat rattlesnake bites and aliments. Settlers came from a 200 mile radius for salt, taking it by saddlebag and wagon. The frontier regiment Texas Cavalry guarded the works and roads from hostile Indians during the war. Indian troubles continued after the war. In 1867, nearby U.S. Fort Griffin was established, and a "six-pounder" cannon was loaned to the works for defense. Salt was produced until 1880. A Memorial to Texans Who Served the Confederacy Erected by the State of Texas, 1963
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Discovered by trail drivers in 1861 and developed by W. H. Ledbetter beginning in 1862, this Hubbard Creek salt works answered the desperate Confederate need for salt — the only means, before refrigeration, of preserving meat. Large furnaces and kettles hauled in from East Texas turned out salt for Confederate troops west of the Mississippi, state militia, ranches, and settlers who traveled up to 200 miles to fetch it. Frontier cavalry guarded the works from raids, and after nearby Fort Griffin was established in 1867 a cannon was even loaned for its defense; production continued until 1880.
Why it matters
Salt was a strategic wartime resource, and works like this one kept Confederate armies and frontier settlers fed when the Union blockade cut off other supplies.
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Related people
- · W. H. Ledbetter
Themes & tags
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