Skidder Pan and Tongs




















This SALT KETTLE, found on the west coast of Dixie County, was used to cook salt from Gulf waters.  Settlers from north Florida and south Georgia followed the trails and roads to the Gulf coast for this vital item.  Battles were fought at these "Salt Flats" during the Civil War.  Special CONFEDERATE TROOPS were assigned to the "Salt Works".  The US TROOPS would find and destroy the "Salt Works".  A typical site consisted of 25 to 28 Salt Kettles; each kettle held 150 to 200 gallons, producing 100 bushels of clean salt.  This would be destoryed, along with the pumps, tools, carts and the workers houses. 
 This SALT KETTLE was donated to the Dixie County Historical Society by Elwood Tyre and dedicated to the memory of his son, Dwight Tyre, June 2004.