Lewis and Clark Salt Works

Located in Seaside, Oregon, the Lewis and Clark Salt Works is a historical site marking a critical moment during the Corps of Discovery’s winter encampment. On December 28, 1805, a detachment of five men was sent from Fort Clatsop to produce salt, which was essential for preserving meat during their journey. The site, situated near the intersection of Lewis and Clark Way and Avenue U, commemorates the location where these men constructed a stone furnace to boil seawater.

Visitors can observe a reconstruction of the original furnace, which was used to process approximately 1,400 gallons of high-salt-content seawater. Over several weeks, this labor-intensive process yielded about three-and-one-half bushels of salt. The site serves as an educational attraction, offering insight into the logistical challenges faced by the expedition. A rock cairn marks the specific location, and local oral history adds cultural context to the site’s significance.

The Salt Works is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, managed by the U.S. National Park Service. It is often visited in conjunction with tours of Fort Clatsop, providing a complete picture of the expedition’s time on the North Coast. While there are no specific opening hours or admission fees for the site itself, it remains accessible to the public as an outdoor historical marker. Travelers interested in early American exploration and the practical survival skills of the Lewis and Clark Expedition will find this site to be a meaningful and informative stop.