Saltsburg
Marker Text:
First salt well in the vicinity was drilled, 1813-14. By the 1830's this area had become a leading U.S. salt producer. Important to its shipment was the Pennsylvania Canal's Western Division. The canal crossed here, 1829-1864, and was the lifeline of this small town.
The town of Saltsburg was a "canal town." Its first piece of success came when Mrs. Deemer discovered the salt in the water, making the entire valley into a leading salt producer. The town began to grow and people realized that a more convenient and efficient mode of transporting goods was needed. In 1826 the Legislature provided for the development of a transportation system consisting of canals and railroads to connect the largest cities, such as between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. In 1834 it was complete. The canal ran 105 miles between Johnstown and Pittsburgh and had 68 locks. And the trip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia took 3 1/2 days. By 1864 the canal era ended as trains became industries' preferred mode of transportation.
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Directions to the
Saltsburg Historic Marker
Start at the Indiana Courthouse
Follow Philadelphia west, turn left at the light onto Shelly Drive (PSECU)
Turn left at next light onto Ben Franklin Road (Total distance 2.2 miles)
Turn right onto Route 286 West. (Total distance 3.2 miles)
Stay on Route 286 for 18.2 miles until you reach Saltsburg. (Total distance 21.4 miles)
Bear right to stay on Route 286; marker is just a short distance on left in Saltsburg Canal Park
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