Grand Saline Texas

Welcome to Grand Saline ... "Salt of the Earth"

Located at the intersection of Historic U.S. Highway 80, Texas Highway 17, and Texas Highway 110 is the City of Grand Saline in Van Zandt County. The city lies approximately an hour east of Dallas and 15 miles north off Interstate 20. Its population according to the 2020 Federal Census is 3,107 residents. Elevation is 400 feet above sea level.

The name of Grand Saline is based on the large salt deposits located in the area. It is often called "The Salt Capital of Texas".

The Importance of Salt in Grand Saline

Grand Saline sits at the top of the largest and purest salt dome in the United States, which Morton Salt has been mining since 1931. Seismic tests have shown the dome descends to a depth of 20,000 feet.

The Morton Salt Mine in Grand Saline is the town’s largest employer and one of three rock-salt mines Morton operates in the U.S. The salt deposit is 250 million years old. Mining is currently being done 57 stories below the surface.

Area Attractions

The citizens of Grand Saline take great pride in their friendly, home grown community, salt mining and agricultural heritage.

Nearby Lake Fork, Lake Tawakoni, East Texas Alligator Farm and Wildlife Refuge, and the unique wildlife found on local Salt Flats provide endless recreational and educational opportunities for residents and visitors.

About 15 miles to the southeast of Grand Saline is Canton, home of the world famous First Monday Trade Days.

Map of U.S. Highway 80 from the Texas-Louisiana state line near Waskom to Dallas showing the location of Grand Saline

Map of today's route of U.S. Highway 80 from the Texas-Louisiana state line near Waskom to Dallas

The Salt Palace

The Salt Palace in Grand Saline, Texas, and Museum and Visitors Center

In addition to these area attractions, the popular Salt Palace and Visitors Center contains displays, exhibits and videos about the history and operation of the salt industry.

The original Salt Palace was built for the 1936 Texas Centennial, and the structure has been rebuilt since that time. Today, it remains the only building in North America made of pure rock salt.

It also contains mementos from hometown favorite Chris Tomlin, one of the world’s most influential Christian singer-songwriter, and fellow native Wiley Post, the first pilot to fly solo around the world.

Since the Salt Palace is built from translucent blocks of sodium chloride, the mineral compound commonly known as "salt", many visitors like to "lick the building"!

The Grand Saline Salt Palace is located at 100 West Garland Street. For more information and business hours, phone 903.962.5631.

Read more about current happenings in Grand Saline at the Salt Palace Museum on Facebook.

Huge salt rock on display at the Salt Palace in Grand Saline, Texas

Other Area Communities

Grand Saline, Texas ... A National Main Street City

Other communities located on historic U.S. Highway 80 include Mineola, Gladewater, Longview and Marshall to the east.

Grand Saline Information and Resources

Grand Saline Main Street Program

City of Grand Saline

Grand Saline Economic Development Corporation

Grand Saline Chamber of Commerce

Salt Palace on Facebook

Grand Saline Independent School District

Van Zandt County

Lake Tawakoni