Bubbling at Beeland
KATHY PICKENS
The Standard
The beautiful new SALT KETTLE fountain at the entrance to the Beeland Park Camellia Gardens is now fully operational. This striking water feature was placed at the suggestion of garden designer Bobby Green to meld history with horticulture.
This lovely addition to the park harkens back to the 1860’s when the North’s blockade of the South’s European salt supply caused Alabamians to turn to other sources, such as salt springs, to secure this highly important mineral so critical for survival.
The Central Salt Works in Clarke County (near Jackson) was one of the largest salt springs operations during the Civil War, producing about 15 tons of salt per day.
Naturally occurring brine was pumped into large cast iron kettles where the water was boiled away to leave the salt behind. Some individuals also traveled to salt springs to precipitate their own salt from brine.
Coastal families had the option of using water from the gulf, but not everyone had easy geographical access to salt.
Most businesses and individuals depended on the Alabama Salt Commission to keep prices in check, to keep Alabama salt in Alabama, and to obtain this rationed “white gold.”
Counties compiled “salt lists” based on need. The original physical records of one such a list is housed at the Alabama Department of Archives and History under the Alabama Salt Commission Collection (ALAV90-A233).
In a Butler County salt record from 1862, John W. Mallett (hotel keeper, age 44) was listed as eligible. Mallett’s Hotel, along with The Greenville Hotel and Hudgins Boarding House, were among the lodging establishments available in Greenville in the 1860’s.
Another familiar name appearing on the list was 25-year-old druggist JH Dunklin, as in the original James Hilliard Dunklin, with the 4th JH Dunklin being Greenville’s former Dr. Dunklin and the 5th JH Dunklin being our current Jim Dunklin of Greenville Hardware and Dunklin Funeral Home.
In the 1860s, a druggist like JH Dunklin would have acted as local chemist, doctor, and general merchant. He would have possibly diagnosed illnesses, prescribed remedies, mixed compounds, and sold household goods. His shop would have been a good place to find a little bit of everything, just like Greenville Hardware. (If they don’t have it, you don’t need it.)
An additional Dunklin cousin was also on the list, DG Dunklin (merchant, age 36). Daniel Gafford Dunklin, another pioneer of Greenville, operated a store and a farm. He and his family are credited with providing key furnishings for St. Thomas Episcopal Church, including the elegant altar.
In addition to connecting us with our history, this delightful fountain is beautiful and refreshing. It is a great spot to take a special picture with friends or family.
Our Beeland Park Camellia Gardens are truly a treasure linking our past to our present and on into our future.
