Ruins of a Salt Factory

Located in the Sucker Garden area on Arch Road, the ruins of the Salt Factory stand as a testament to a failed industrial experiment from the 19th century. Established to mechanize salt production on St. Maarten, this factory was part of an effort to boost the island’s economy following the decline of the sugar industry. However, due to technical challenges, high costs, and competition from more efficient production methods elsewhere, the factory never achieved its intended success.

Today, the remnants of the Salt Factory offer a glimpse into the island’s attempts at industrialization and the challenges it faced in transitioning from traditional to modern economic activities.

References: St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation, St. Maarten Museum