06/40 Salt containers

Salt was first discovered in Manistee in 1881 providing a big boom to the local economy. Of the several things its unearthing did for the community, two stand out: 1) It made most of the wealthy lumber magnates even more money as many of the lumber companies became lumber AND salt companies and 2) More jobs were available in the area meaning more people arrived in Manistee and as result certain section of the city grew (chiefly the Northside).

 

Among the items on display at the museum are these salt containers (circa 1920s-1950s) from several of the area salt companies including Ruggles & Rademaker, Morton Salt and Hardy Salt.