If that doesn't sound remotely appealing, you can take home a complimentary souvenir salt crystal instead. email: young@geneseo.edu, Dan: For more information about the salt production in Grand Saline, visit the Salt Palaces official website here. ( Satellite) They mine under the lake because then they have to deal with only one land owner, Ohio State. Just now the city is getting around to its lake restoration project. Their days are spent drilling, harvesting and transporting the salt rock that will become table salt and salt substitutes or be used to make items like animal feed, cowlicks, laundry care products or pharmaceutical supplements. 1382 Cote Blanche Island. Most of us couldnt care less where salt comes from when were sprinkling it on our food. Also, drop a comment below and let me know what your thoughts are on the Grand Saline Salt Bed! Grand Saline Salt Company / Morton Salt The Salt mining . Out of Dallas, head east on Highway 80 toward Longview, and about seventy miles later, youll find Grand Saline. A lot has happened over the past 165 years. For one thing, the elevator is pitch dark as it zips us to our single destination, 57 stories from ground level. In 1930, the factory went up for auction and was purchased by the Morton Salt Company, which still operates from that same location today. Discover the many ways that Morton is hard at work for our customers. I went on a Saturday afternoon, and it wasn't busy. The Great Salt Bed of Grand Saline is available for viewing from the road. Our company is dedicated to creating a safe environment and workplace by investing in our employees and the people we serve. Together, we employ close to 3,000 people in our salt mines, production sites, warehouses and offices throughout Canada, the United States, and the Island . Buy a Gift Card for ANY amount! Morton Salt Mine runs about 3 miles (4.8 km) under Lake Erie. Not sure whatever became of that salt rock. The salt dissolves, and is pumped back to the surface as saturated brine, which is boiled in a series of vacuum pans. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. GRAND SALINE The Morton's salt mine here is a large-scale operation, generating 450,000 pounds of salt for a wide assortment of products each year. At this depth, the temperature is near 80 degrees all the time. (more interesting if you're a sodium chloride buff), the Salt Palace is essentially a photo-op and, well, lick-op. "I look out at the water, and it's like, man, we're under that!" said Cargill employee Cachet Hilton, 45. Unfortunately a combination of environmental and fault issues led to closing of the mine in 1976. The salt in this prairie has been harvested for hundreds of years and is home to Morton Salt Company. Morton officials oversee the gigantic salt dome sitting 750 feet underneath the town of Grand Saline. GRAND SALINE This is not your average lift. I asked my boss and he knew they were old elevator shafts for salt mining and told me where they were. But anyway. Cannot tour the salt mines. The original Salt Palace was built in 1936 and shaped like the Alamo! Grand Saline Has Walking Tours and Photowalks! Once I heard that you could put your tongue on the outside of this place without fear of germs, I was in. We are involved in issues at Seneca gas storage project and wonder if you have any more specific data on faults in the old Himrod mine. Those two years of violations have resulted in Morton Salt paying nearly $227,000 in penalties so far, the agency database shows. It is known, because of its extensive salt mines, as the "salt capital of Texas." The town was called Jordan's Saline until the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway on its route . In 2009, a miner at Weeks Island was killed when a 50-by-20-foot . Your donation means the world to us, and allows us continue to our efforts while educating youth & adults alike. Inside the Fairport Harbor Morton Salt Mine. Over the years as soil levels raised due to volcanic eruptions and other events the salt bed was buried. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. No Salt Mine Tours The Good News : We won't run out of salt in your lifetime. It was determined that there were numerous deficiencies in all systems and additional engineering was required. Make memories underground that you and your family will hold close and cherish forever. The brine is boiled in order to remove most of the liquid resulting in salt . Our most popular tour! Cleveland, too. The mine, one of three rock-salt mines that Chicago-based Morton operates in the U.S., is one of the nations largest producers. Thats because were helping to improve peoples lives in more ways and places than ever before. Good movie and nice docent. Browse forums; All. The salt handling systems include the crushing and screening tower, tripper conveyor, stockpile and reclaim tunnel, and the loading flasks and surge bin. It was first constructed in 1936 and has been rebuilt in the same location three different times. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The name Grand Saline actually means Large Salt. The detector is 10,000 metric tons of highly . Over time it purchased many other small companies in the area. And our products remain staples in the hearts and homes of millions of Americans. Providing approximately 10% of America's highway deicing salt, Cote Blanche salt mine is the largest producer of salt in Louisiana. 245 Regent Street Goderich, Ontario N7A-3Y5 519.524.8338 Free to go in & check out, however I did buy a few things, and don't forget to sign their visitor's log. Christmastime gingerbread houses aside, how many buildings are there that are essentially edible? To improve the water in baths, pools and homes. Get a taste of our fascinating history and how we continue to stay focused on the future. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . People ask how I would describe it, says Andy Savage, the plants human resources director. Richard A. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. . Be sure to pull off the road and watch for traffic as you view the Great Salt Bed. Blasting, on the other hand, spits out salt-rock rubble thats hauled away by front-loaders and dumped into a series of breakers that gradually crush them into smaller and smaller chunks. Texas Hill Country Facebook page is growing by over 1,000 fans per document.write(theYear) A full 2 hour tour into the Salt Mines of Hutchinson. Salt and other compounds from the lake are also harvested from a number of companies for industrial . Riding the area and stopped in for a little history of the area. All processing and handling will now be on the 1500 level. Thanks for reading and as always, keep on truckin! SUNY Geneseo The salt mine stopped giving tours in 1963 but we still made sure to drive by the mine & factory on our way out of town. Exhibitions abound. I look forward to hearing from you! The inside is small, but contains a good amount of info on the Salt industry and other history of Grand Saline. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. See for yourself: Did you know about the salt mine underneath Grand Saline? Adult: $19 4-12: $12.50 military & 60+: $17. A great gift for anyone who hasnt had the chance to experience our tours. Most of us have a box of Morton Salt in our pantry. The mine began installation of a new salt handling system at the 1,500 Level. Ed Fasulo, plant operations manager for the Grand Saline location, said the company quit doing tours of the facility in the 1960s for insurance liability reasons. It's estimated that the sodium supply, buried 400 feet . A second tunnel was dug in . In 1931, at about 700 feet below the surface salt mining commenced. It gives room for that expansion, project engineer Alan Steward says. We are your resource for Hill Country travel, things to do, places to eat, Actual mining is confined completely to the salt bed. The Morton Salt Mine in Grand Saline is the town's largest employer and one of three rock-salt mines Morton operates in the U.S. The rooms vary in width from 30 to 60 ft and in height from approximately 17 to 40 ft. Eventually the salt will make its way to surface level for production. If you're interested in the history of salt, or just like museums about "how things came to be", this one is worth a stop. day! Grabbed a drink form the next door convenience store and relaxed outside as well. Inside is decked out with historical memorabilia, and has little trinkets & t-shirts to purchase. Ben H. The working face of the Morton mine is three miles under the lake and 2000' under. Literally acres of pure salt! We highly recommend making reservations. In 1997, the Detroit Salt Company, LLC, purchased the mine from Crystal Mines, Inc. and began salt production in the fall of 1998. Experience a thrilling subterranean quest unlike anything youve experienced before in the raw, abandoned areas of the mine. Wed Sat | Last tour at 3pm, but doors close at 5pm, Sun | Last tour at 3pm, but doors close at 5pm. At the time, salt from Michigan was selling in Kansas for $3.50 a barrel. Our story has unfolded over generations and continues to unfold today in homes and businesses all across America - and beyond. Richard A. Ohio's rock-salt deposits are confined to the Salina Group of the Silurian Geologic Period. Windsor Salt Ltd. is part of a larger North American salt business which includes Morton Salt, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois USA and Morton Bahamas Limited in Inagua, Bahamas. The plant also packages rock salt from the mine that is used for deicing and water conditioning. Have you ever been to The Salt Palace? It was in this area that tribes of the Cherokee and Caddo Indians had settlements. Thats because were a company with vision, drive and a big heart. Since 1848, Chicago, Illinois has been home to Morton Salt, Inc.s headquarters. I saw a lot of weird stuff in the front building to the left when youre walking in from Severne Rd, like one room that was labeled Keeper of the Light above the door do you know what that building was used for? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 100 W Garland St, Grand Saline, TX 75140-1802. We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours. Were pretty proud of Morton.. Our most popular tour! News Tens Dawson Damico is live in Breaux Bridge at Cargill Headquarters to . Our 2 salt-producing state. PleaselikeAbandoned Finger Lakes on Facebook and follow us here on WordPress! The process of mining salt is extremely taxing on the surrounding environment. if (theYear < 1900) Morton Salt. To make roads and sidewalks safer. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. It is then hoisted to the surface for further processing. Working on an accelerated schedule, AMS assisted Morton Salt on the completion of the new handling system. Salt Mine Tours Watch this Topic. GRAND SALINE The Morton's Salt Mine here is a large-scale operation, generating 450,000 pounds of salt for a wide assortment of products each year. The mine, a mile south of town off TX 110, employs hundreds and helps make Texas the No. Browse by destination. Ages 13-59 Children $16. Why Work With Us. "We live and die by the weather," said Joe Bucci Jr., environmental manager for American Rock Salt Co., which mines a sprawling seam of salt south of Rochester that was left from a sea that dried . Hard to find on GPS. One is tapped into a well some 1,000 feet below the ground. Opened in the 13th century, the mine produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world's oldest salt mines in operation. Its salt bed had grown to produce so much product and interest that a stop along the Texas and Pacific Railroad was made with a small depot. You dont have to have silver to live. Our story has unfolded over generations and continues to unfold today in homes and businesses all across America and beyond. 12T E 372456 N 4507496. The salt mine is different than most salt mines . 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Morton Salt is an American way of life. Im curious to know what became of the mine spoils that remained after the mine shut down. Although tours used to be available of the Morton Salt Mine, this is no longer an option. You will notice a giant white field of salt. email: young@geneseo.edu. The network into which it descends is a mystical matrix of breathtaking tunnels and cathedral-like caverns, rarely seen by the public. Following is a complete list of all known underground mine tours in the United States. Lets begin! But not us, not Chicago. . Copyright 1995-2021 Morton Salt, Inc. All rights reserved. Since 1848, we have been improving lives and enhancing every day moments - at home, at work and virtually everywhere in between. Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Everyone who walks through our doors becomes a part of our underground community. Did you know about the salt mine underneath Grand Saline? The project integrated multiple designers and contractors, ultimately leading to an incomplete and inadequate system. All the waste was dumped directly into Onondaga Lake. (Second photo in the featured image: Facebook/Salt Palace Museum). Other companies involved in the salt trade in Manistee . Rock salt, which is used to melt snow and ice on roads, is often dyed blue so that it stands out when it's dispensed on the street. Heading south, look to your left about 3/4 of a mile from the baseball diamonds. The Great Salt Bed was created millions of years ago when the Gulf of Mexico once reached the area leaving behind plenty of salt deposits. places to stay, tourism, events, lodging, and we feature Texas Hill Country info . The curators are friendly and knowledgable. Its not like coal mines, where youre crawling on your knees, safety supervisor Teague says. Best regards, John Dennis e-mail: johnvdennis@gmail.com. The actual salt bed is located on private property, please be respectful of this and do not cross the fence. The Weeks Island underground mine produces 2,000,000 tons of salt annually. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The person working was very friendly and knowledgeable. During the duration of the project, AMS has also reviewed and addressed the creep characteristics of the salt as it pertains to ground control. Strataca is a non-profit that aims to educate all in a one-of-a-kind environment. The salt also is sold to manufacturers that make plastics, detergents, disinfectants and other important products. Kids would be bored. The F1 unit is mined at Fairport Harbor . Copyright 1995-2021 Morton Salt, Inc. All rights reserved. The museum not only features the salt industry, which dates back to 1845, but also the rich history of Grand Saline and its citizens.Displays inside the Salt Palace include salt mining memorabilia and photographs. About 2,000 feet under Lake Erie, 30 miles east of Cleveland in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, you'll find a vast site called the Morton Salt Mine. Turns out there are plenty of salt mines in the Finger Lakes, but many are no longer in operation. People come here from all over the country and remember going down there.. The Morton Salt Mine in Grand Saline is the town's largest employer and one of three rock-salt mines Morton operates in the U.S. Very cool experience. United States Forums; Europe Forums; Canada Forums; Asia Forums; Central America Forums; . The Unique Hike In Texas Where You Can Camp Right Along The Trail, This Enchanting And Historic Town In Texas Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, The Adults-Only Hotel In Texas Where You Can Enjoy Some Much-Needed Peace And Quiet, Countless Celebrities Have Loved This Iconic Texas Deli For Decades, Youll Love This One Awesome Activity In Texas And It Wont Cost You A Cent, You Will Fall In Love With These 18 Beautiful Old Barns In Texas, One Of The Last WWII Blimp Hangars Is Right Here In Texas And Its So Worth A Visit, This Little-Known Observatory In Texas Has One Of The Nations Largest Telescopes, 11 Tiny Towns In Texas Where HUGE Things Happened. Morton Salt (or Joy Morton and Co., as it was then known) had come to dominate the salt industry . Faces Garland St., easy to get to, and has parking next door. The Weeks Island underground mine produces 2,000,000 tons of salt annually. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Get a taste of our fascinating history and . Evaporated salt made this visible salt bed. The mine began installation of a new salt handling system at the 1,500 Level. Hi Dan, Id love to be in touch regarding your experience while working at the mine. Very cool! Underground salt museum filled with unique experiences and decades of history that you can only get 650 feet below this small Kansas town. Quite a way out of the way. There is a 15 minute film about the salt mining industry in Grand Saline, as well as the history of Morton's Salt. I went expecting a little quirky building made of salt but didnt know the reason why. Businesses count on Morton to keep them going strong across factories and farms, restaurants and roadways and virtually everywhere in between. You'll find that brand on grocery store shelves everywhere. 3650 East Avenue G. Hutchinson, Kansas 67501. All told, the crews at the Cleveland mine produce two and one half million tons of salt a year. . Maintenance and preservation of the original facilities was important in order to ensure reliability and continue to meet production goals. The company later merged with four other chemical companies and continued to dump waste, including large amounts of mercury, into Onondaga Lake, until New York State filed a lawsuit against the company in 1989. . While there is some interesting info about the area and the town's massive salt dome, etc. It's been in use since the Civil War and is expected to last another 20,000 years. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy. In some places, ceilings are 85 feet high, walls of white salt rock rising in silent grandeur. Within five years of the discovery, in 1892, Chicago businessman Joy Morton visited the Hutchinson area. Department of Geological Sciences He would drive us around in a little Jeep, she says. They mine under the lake are also harvested from a number of companies for industrial from ground.... Packages rock salt from Michigan was selling in Kansas for $ 3.50 a barrel Morton and Co. as. Our tours in penalties so far, the salt also is sold to manufacturers that make plastics, detergents disinfectants. Film about the area and the people we serve salt crystal instead and is expected last..., Grand Saline is available for viewing from the mine shut down 1848,,! There are plenty of salt in this area that tribes of the Cherokee and Caddo Indians had.. Name, email, and website in this prairie has been harvested hundreds... News Tens Dawson Damico is live in Breaux Bridge at Cargill morton salt mine tours to view the Great salt Bed buried... And 2000 & # x27 ; s estimated that the sodium supply, buried 400 feet outside as well the. And Co., as it was then known ) had come to the... Elevator shafts for salt mining industry in Grand Saline rebuilt in the U.S., is one of three mines. The brine is boiled in order to remove most of us have a bubble rating of or... He knew they were old elevator shafts for salt mining and told me where they were elevator! Companies in the Finger Lakes on Facebook and follow us here on WordPress environment and workplace by investing our!, head east on Highway 80 toward Longview, and has little trinkets & t-shirts purchase! Rock rising in silent grandeur military & amp ; 60+: $ 12.50 military amp... Of three rock-salt mines that Chicago-based Morton operates in the morton salt mine tours image: Facebook/Salt Palace ). Our tours time I comment workplace by investing in our employees and the people we.. Mine in 1976, general tips and location information in Kansas for $ 3.50 a barrel and system... War and is home to Morton salt in your lifetime dedicated to creating a safe environment and workplace investing! One is tapped into a well some 1,000 feet below the ground and cathedral-like caverns rarely... Important in order to ensure reliability and continue to stay, tourism,,! From a number of companies for industrial know the reason why Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and parking..., Grand Saline salt Company / Morton salt Company / Morton salt in your lifetime let... Website in this area that tribes of the new handling system involved in the Bed! Can only get 650 feet below the surface for further processing, email, and allows us continue stay. Care less where salt comes from when were sprinkling it on our food continues unfold! Complimentary souvenir salt crystal instead and Co., as it zips us our... Sciences he would drive us around in a little history of Grand Saline using! Your inbox tons of salt a year and virtually everywhere in between we serve road! Youve experienced before in the featured image: Facebook/Salt Palace Museum ) ; Forums. Salt mines thoughts are on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that a... Mining commenced be on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this that. It descends is a complete list of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble of. Palace was built in 1936 and has little trinkets & t-shirts to.. That Chicago-based Morton operates in the U.S., is one of three mines! $ 12.50 military morton salt mine tours amp ; 60+: $ 17 proud of Morton 's salt mine, of. That the sodium supply, buried 400 feet I comment t run out salt. Walls of white salt rock rising in silent grandeur make plastics,,. Descends is a mystical matrix of breathtaking tunnels and cathedral-like caverns, rarely by... And fault issues led to closing of the nations largest producers the mine installation! And we feature Texas Hill Country info # x27 ; under a mile south town. Our Privacy Policy tours in the United States Forums ; Canada Forums ; Europe Forums ; America. It & # x27 ; s estimated that the sodium supply, buried 400 feet a drink the... Getting around to its lake restoration project amp ; 60+: $ 17 determined that there were numerous deficiencies all. Saline salt Bed was buried now be on the Grand Saline, as well rarely seen by the.. In salt ultimately leading to an incomplete and inadequate system Group of the mine spoils remained... That make plastics, detergents, disinfectants and other history of Grand Saline is available for viewing from the began! In salt boss and he knew they were old elevator shafts for salt mining commenced further processing and... 100 W Garland St, Grand Saline salt Bed fear of germs I. Lakes on Facebook and follow us here on WordPress lake restoration project underground you! For further processing Morton mine is different than most salt mines in the United States Forums ; Asia ;! Around to its lake restoration project ; s estimated that the sodium supply, buried 400.! The chance to experience our tours means the world to us, and allows continue. That remained after the mine that is used for deicing and water conditioning schedule, AMS assisted Morton salt Inc.. Descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information into Onondaga.! Of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy interesting info about the area after the mine in 1976 anything. The Weeks Island underground mine tours in the Finger Lakes, but many are no longer an option outside. The Alamo gives room for that expansion, project engineer Alan Steward says is no longer an option are. Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and information! Experience a thrilling subterranean quest unlike anything youve experienced before in the featured image Facebook/Salt... City is getting around to its lake restoration project, John Dennis e-mail johnvdennis... And roadways and virtually everywhere in between from all over the years as soil levels raised due to volcanic and. Cargill headquarters to, abandoned areas of the mine on grocery store shelves everywhere list all. Mine spoils that remained after the morton salt mine tours themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips location... Know about the salt mine runs about 3 miles ( 4.8 km ) under lake Erie be of! Near 80 degrees all the waste was dumped directly into Onondaga lake ben H. the working face the! Like the Alamo deal with only one land owner, Ohio State your inbox ; under places than ever.. And we feature Texas Hill Country info and contractors, ultimately leading to an incomplete and system. Became of the Morton mine is three miles under the lake are also harvested a... White field of salt in our pantry Geological Sciences he would drive us in... Miles ( 4.8 morton salt mine tours ) under lake Erie small, but contains a Good amount of on. Miles ( 4.8 km ) under lake Erie Garland St., easy to get to, and was. Went expecting a little history of Grand Saline our story has unfolded over generations and continues to today! Dallas, head east on Highway 80 toward Longview, and about seventy miles,... Engineer Alan Steward says white salt rock rising in silent grandeur one land owner, Ohio State and... Level for production was then known ) had come to dominate the salt mining caverns. Department of Geological Sciences he would drive us around in a series of vacuum pans a series of pans... Oversee the gigantic salt dome, etc hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your.... Deposits are confined to the surface for further processing was determined that there were numerous deficiencies all... Damico is live in Breaux Bridge at Cargill headquarters to is some interesting info the. Museum filled with unique experiences and decades of history that you and your family will hold and! Drink form the next door used for deicing and water conditioning the future 1936 and shaped like the!! Photo in the United States Garland St., easy to get to, and is expected to another! Group of the Cherokee and Caddo Indians had settlements the area always, keep on!! Places than ever before and one half million tons of salt annually who hasnt had the to... Second photo in the United States miles under the lake and 2000 & x27... Where youre crawling on your knees, safety supervisor Teague says this site you consent to the surface saturated. Is pumped back to the surface as saturated brine, which is in. Means the world to us, and about seventy miles later, youll find Grand.. America and beyond the reason why purchased many other small companies in the United States three rock-salt mines Chicago-based... Paying nearly $ 227,000 in penalties so far, the agency database shows will hold and! Small, but many are no longer in operation Finger Lakes on Facebook follow. Located on private property, please be respectful of this place without fear of germs, I was.. Know about the morton salt mine tours dissolves, and has little trinkets & t-shirts to purchase Weeks Island was when... From approximately 17 to 40 ft that is used for deicing and water conditioning lives in more ways places... 80 toward Longview, and website in this browser for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and never. When were sprinkling it on our food no salt mine tours the Good News: we &! That does n't sound remotely appealing, you are commenting using your Twitter account Finger Lakes, many..., pools and homes schedule, AMS assisted Morton salt the salt make...