SALT KETTLE

Interstate 74 Rest Area-Westbound
Oakwood, IL 61858

HISTORY

The Salt Kettle Tourist Information Center was named after the iron kettle, which was a Monument on route 150 until the rest area was built. Iron Kettles were used at the old Salt works in the early 1800's, for the commercial production of salt, know as the Vermilion Salines. Salt springs were found by the Kickapoo and Piankeshaw Indians. Later, the settlers dug wells 50ft. deep and the salt water was boiled in large iron kettles, which produced one (1) bushel per 100 gallons of water. The kettle became a symbol of progress. The official shield of Vermilion County displays a silhouette of a salt kettle and the motto "ye are the salt of the earth." The Salt Works became the area's first industry.

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