Avery Island is the largest of five salt domes along the Louisiana coast — a geologic oddity that rises dramatically from flat wetlands to 163 feet above sea level, making it the highest point on the entire Gulf Coast. Edmund McIlhenny married into the family that owned it, survived the Civil War by hiding in the salt mine, came back to find wild pepper plants growing in the ruins of the garden, and in 1868 made the first batch of what became Tabasco. Today about 700,000 bottles are filled daily. The Jungle Gardens — 170 acres of ancient oaks, exotic plants, and a private egret sanctuary established in 1895 — sit half a mile from the factory and are open to the public.
- ·The largest of five salt domes along the Louisiana coast — a geologic oddity rising 163 feet above sea level, the highest point on the entire Gulf Coast.
- ·Edmund McIlhenny survived the Civil War by hiding in the salt mine, found wild pepper plants in the ruined garden, and made the first batch of Tabasco in 1868.
- ·Today about 700,000 bottles of Tabasco are filled daily on the island.
- ·The Jungle Gardens — 170 acres of ancient oaks, exotic plants, and a private egret sanctuary established in 1895 — are open to the public.
- ·The salt mine beneath the island has been in continuous operation since the 1860s.
- ·Factory tours and Jungle Gardens open daily. Admission charged. Located off LA 329, south of New Iberia.
Memories
Editorial content compiled with AI assistance. Place details verified against public records.