Brief paragraphs taken from W. S. Mills's History of Van Zandt County gives a peek at the city's beginnings.

The first Baptist church in Grand Saline was located at the corner of Hill and Main Street, where it stands today. Bro. M. A. Quinlin was it (sic) first pastor.

The Grand Saline National Bank was organized in 1891 with J. E. Persons as president and T. B. Meeks as cashier. Mr. Persons who was a nephew of Byron Persons, came to Grand Saline from New York in October, 1891.

Enterprising residents prospered by operating ferries. At Sullivan's Old Bridge on the Sabine River, Naines and Fortson charged 5 cents per horse and 10 cents per horse and rider, and double that amount after a flood.

By 1867 L. W. Collins was also rafting people across the Sabine on the Jordan's Saline side to Quitman Road, charging 10 cents per horse and rider.

From the ancient times, salt was necessary to life and because of that it became symbolic for the life itself and for the most desirable qualities in character. This particular mineral, dubbed the fifth element by Jean de Marcounille in 1584, has played an important role in many of the civilizations of the world, both ancient and contemporary.

Salt seasons not only food but language as well. An undesirable person is "not worth his salt", a good and honorable man is "the salt of the earth", "a man of salt" is a wise one, and on and on. Why, Shakespeare even called the beautiful Egyptian queen who was desired by nearly all the men of her day, "Salt Cleopatra".

In the past the Scotch used salt in their death rituals as part of a ceremony that helped their dead reach heaven. The Russians used to bury salt in their dead to symbolize the incorruptibility of the spirit.

Even today salt is used as t wymbol in making pledges. When an Arab swears by the salt he is bound to his word an he will never be an enemy to anyone with whom he has eaten salt.

The Chinese still burn salt on New Year's to determine the type of luck the coming year will bring.

In modern Scotland a couple scatters salt over their new home the evening before the wedding to bring children and keep the witches away. In Switzerland the groom leaves his wedding with bread in one pocket and salt in the other. The swiss couple also takes salt and bread into their home before anything else because they represent the necessities of existence.

Salt is mentioned dozens of times in the Bible. Lot's wife received the worst of it. Others were bound by a "Covenant of Salt" and twice in the Old Testament groups protested getting salt from a foreigh king because they then became obliged to him. Several times in the Bible worshipers were instructed to prepare their offerings with salt.

And even in America in 1978 the more superstitious people throw salt over their shoulders if it is accidently (sic) spilled. Following tradition set when the Jews of Christ's day rubbed new-born babies with salt, the Roman Catholic Church still places salt on the tongue during baptism.

From all the above examples, it is easy for the modern man to discern why de Marcounille exclaimed, "The sacredness and dignity of salt! This mineral is like unto the four elements - earth, air, fire, and water. So universal, so necessary to life, it is the fifth element."

To view photographs of interest pertaining to this page, click on one of the items listed below. The photos listed below came from various sources, including David Monk, and the Pictorial History of Van Zandt County 1848-1994.

Warehouse The first Morton Salt Warehouse built south of Grand Saline in 1970.

First Firetruck Grand Saline Fire Dept's first fire truck in the 1920's. Firemen shown are Felix Herron, Dewey Frazier, Irvin Riggins (behind wheel), V. B. Moore, Ben Green, Cecil McBride, Allen Pinkerton, Dr. V. B. Cizby in hat, Earl Morris & Charlie Glover.

Retirees First Group to retire from Morton Salt in 1947. Standing from left: J. E. Copeland, W. H. Coepland, L. D. Rodden, Lige Furrh, W. H. Threatt, M. A. Bradburn, R. E. Dixon, J. S. Land. Seated from left: S. W. Sansom, N. H. Hughes, Tom West, Lee Freeman, Will Guinn & J. L. King.

Mary's Cafe, the first cafe in Grand Saline. First Grand Saline Marshall - Ben Kuykendall standing out front.

First City Council, elected in 1897. Seated L-R: Anderson Wilderspin, Mayor Tom Joslin, unknown, John Harbrough; standing: Lon Sparks, A. M. Jones, Dr. J. W. Kuykendall, George Scott.