The Salt Man

by Anne Kay

Spanning two continents and three generations, The Salt Man is a sweeping saga that traces how one man’s quest for adventure led to a discovery that would change the face of many Southwestern Ontario towns for decades to come.

Scotland, 1852: From humble beginnings in Carmunnock, twelve-year-old Peter McEwan and his family move to the Province of Canada, lured by the promise of land and opportunity. Settling in Perth County, they struggle to overcome hardships as they learn to farm the land and build a new life.

By 1861 Peter grows restless and yearns for adventure. When he makes the risky choice to seek his fortune in Oil Springs, it ignites an intriguing chain of events. From oil wells to salt wells, from Lambton County to Huron County and beyond, Peter refines drilling and production techniques to harvest the riches deep beneath the earth’s surface. While drilling in Goderich, he falls in love with Christie McKay, a feisty young woman with an iron will. Together, Peter and Christie draw strength from one another as they celebrate triumphs, endure tragedies, and strive to balance the needs of their growing family with business demands.

The Salt Man is a compelling tale that illuminates the early days of Southwestern Ontario’s oil and salt industries, and highlights the courage, ingenuity, and resilience of the vibrant men and women who helped shape Canada into the country it is today.

452 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2023

About the author

I was always fascinated by stories of my great-great-grandfather, Peter McEwan.

After a forty-year career in health care writing hundreds of articles for many publications, I turned my attention to my lifelong passion for fiction, and captured Peter’s life story in The Salt Man.

I live with my husband in Southwestern Ontario. Together with our children and grandchildren we take every opportunity to visit my hometown of Goderich, where the salt industry thrives to this day.

Reviews

[Barb Lassaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a joy to follow Peter McEwan and his family’s travels from Scotland to the Province Of Canada. Lots of hardships and obstacles to overcome before Peter obtained his lifelong ambition to own his own salt works. I didn’t realize that drilling for salt was so widespread in the County of Huron. Many towns and villages seemed to have their own salt mines in the 1850s with Goderich producing the most yield with a higher salt grade than the rest. I learned bits of local historical history which I loved while reading about Peter’s journey. Thanks Anne for the lovely read!

[Kim Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so lovely to meet the author Anne Kay at my local Indigo. I wasn’t planning on buying this book, but the story about Peter McEwan sounded intriguing. I’m so happy with my purchase! If I had this book to read in high school, it would have brought local history to life! Having grown up in Southern Ontario, I really enjoyed learning about the challenges of the oil industry and the discovery of salt in Goderich. Although the book traces Peter’s life story in a chronological fashion, Anne’s gift of storytelling makes it a compelling read. The characters are shown with all their true colours. I loved reading about the bonds made between friends and business partners , friendships betrayed, love and marriage, growing families, the ups and downs of both industries and the growth of Goderich and the greater region. If you love historical fiction, adventure awaits you in this wonderful novel! Where are you taking your readers next Anne?

[Deborah Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though in some places the writing is somewhat stilted the history is excellent. Tells the history of both drilling for oil in Lambton County and the discovery of salt in Huron County, specifically Goderich.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Salt Man by Anne Kay is a compelling story of adventure, discovery, love and courage that illuminates southwestern Ontario’s oil and salt industries and the early settlement days of Huron County. Kay's talent for historical fiction truly shone in this book. With her descriptive style of writing, fact and fiction seamlessly blend together. I felt a connection with the McEwan family, getting a sense of “who” these people really were; what motivated them to leave Scotland to start a new life in Canada, their experiences in their new country and a sense of their values. When son Peter leaves the family farm to strike out on his own to seek fortune in Oil Springs his story unfolds. From oil wells to salt wells and meeting Christie, the love of his life, you follow as Peter and Christie celebrate triumphs and endure tragedies. It was easy to fall in love with The Salt Man.

Anne Kay wrote this historical fiction to tell the story of Peter, her great-great-grandfather, who learned to drill wells during Lambton County's 19th-century oil boom before launching Goderich's salt boom.

“I am bound to them, though I cannot look into their eyes or hear their voices. I honour their history. I cherish their lives. I will tell their story. I will remember them.” - Author Unknown

[Ron Cougler]

The Salt Man is an engaging life story about Peter McEwan, and how he became a knowledgeable and respected oil man, and later kick started salt production in Ontario. From his rural roots on the family farm, Peter begins his fascinating adventures down to Oil Springs and Petrolia in Southern Ontario. His work in the burgeoning oil business is told in exemplary, minute, detail by author Anne Kaye. We follow Peter's Journey, his gruelling days drilling for oil, and the frustrations of waiting with him for that first gusher. Peter's gift for learning by doing is perhaps unparalleled as we watch him become an astute businessman who is well respected by his employees, his family, and others in the oil and eventually the salt business. An underlying theme of the story is the sense of community that surfaces from time to time and reminds us of a relationship value that may be of another time.

[Janet Tufts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Kay, in her well-researched novel The Salt Man, turns a history/geography lesson into something that doesn't feel like a lesson at all, rather an enjoyable read about perseverance, ingenuity and optimism. It's a terrific book. I looked forward to climbing into bed each night (or staying in bed each morning) to find out what Peter was putting himself, and his family, up to next. He was quite a guy...and someone who I wish I had the privilege of knowing.

Thank you, Anne, for giving me some insight into the Goderich salt mines and the people who discovered them. I'm excited to share my new knowledge with my grandkids the next time we visit the harbour!

[SHARRON MILLER · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about Peter McEwan’s life is extremely interesting and a real page turner. Anne definitely captured what life was like back in the 1800’s in Southern Ontario in such a way that you felt like you were living back in that era. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this compelling story about your great-great grandfathers’ life Anne as well as learning the history of the area and didn’t realize that salt was discovered in other surrounding communities besides Goderich until I read this book. I really looked forward to reading chapter after chapter just to discover Peter’s next adventure and really didn’t want the story to end. Thanks for this great read Anne!

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Kay has done a wonderful scholarly job of researching her famous great great grandfather's life and of writing this clever book so that we all may share this Canadian history. How refreshing to learn the history behind the salt mine that stretches from Goderich out into Lake Huron underneath that beautiful blue lake water. I was interested to see that the book starts with the oil well history in Oil City and Petrolia. Then it moves into the discovery of salt in the Goderich area, telling the tale of some of Ontario's amazing history. Kay paints Peter McEwan's story, both his business world and his family life. I quite enjoyed this well-researched and annotated book.

[Bee Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Peter McEwan is one of strength, commitment and tenacity. This engaging story sets sail the moment Peter and his family embark from Scotland for their new home in “the new world”, Canada. Amidst the well-written pages are fascinating nuggets of historical facts and details. I had no idea southwestern Ontario played such a significant role in oil and salt. There is something for everyone in this well-paced book. Woven into the historical fiction is real-life drama, romance, intrigue and more, with characters who are brought to life through carefully crafted descriptions. I read it in just over a day. This is an excellent summer read (or any time of the year).

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read describing life for new settlers to Canada in the 1800’s. It was a hard but fruitful experience for the settlers. This book also gives an accurate account of the author’s ancestors drilling oil wells as well as the discovery of salt deposits in Ontario.
This is a book very hard to put down once started and puts the reader right in the action all the way through. I would recommend this book to any one interested in early life in Canada as well as the Oil and Salt industries.

[Melinda Archambault · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Salt Man was a 'hard to put down' read! It is steeped in historical information on the salt and oil industry's origins in Southwestern Ontario and how the accidental discovery of salt enriched so many lives in the 19th century (and to this day!)
It also follows the life of a family's travels from Scotland to Canada and the hardships that our ancestors endured.
I very much recommend The Salt Man to anyone that enjoys historically fact based fiction which is accompanied by the life story of Peter McEwan. The hard working great, great Grandfather of Anne Kay.

[Linda Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Kay’s historical novel, The Salt Man, is based on the true story of her great-great grandfather, Peter McEwan. Anne Kay offers us a window into our nation's history, particularly in Southwestern Ontario, and the discovery and development of the oil and salt business. As an avid amateur genealogist and fan of historical fiction, I was immediately caught up in Peter’s adventures. It’s an illuminating read that will leave you wanting to learn more!

[Maura Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Salt Man. I was pulled into this book right from the beginning to the finish and did not want the story to end. Anne has spent a tremendous amount of time researching her family history and the beginning of both oil and salt drilling done by Peter McEwan. Anne’s attention to detail is what captivated me into feeling I was in the 1800’s for the journey from Scotland to spots along the way to making Goderich the family home.
Well done my friend. I am so proud of you.

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book locally. I love the town of Goderich, mainly because it has a harbour and a beach right on Lake Huron, one of my favourite spots. I knew it had the largest salt mine under the lake, in the world. However, I knew nothing of the history of its discovery. The author, Anne, weaves a compelling fiction account that is filled with true facts that propells the reader back in time.
An enjoyable read.

[C.J. Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're Canadian and you love local history, this is the book for you. Anne Kay's book, "The Salt Man", desecribes in significant detail the oil and salt mining industries in the 1800s in Southern Ontario. I learned so much about how the mining process worked (the risks and rewards) and the actual people who built the economy. I applaud the author for all the research and hours that must have gone into this book. Thank you for telling us your ancestors' stories.

[Emily Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book in Goderich, Ontario. We have been there twice and it is one of my favorite Ontario towns. The time there the locals told us about a great fish and chips place by the lake. It was right by the salt plant. It was excellent food and a great view. This book was very educational and well done. It probably isn't for everyone but I love the town and I love history. It was a great combination for me.

[Vicki Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful retelling of the life of Peter McEwan and the discovery of salt in the Goderich area. Congratulations to Anne Kay on her first book where she has successfully entwined the history of the oil and salt industry in Southwestern Ontario with an engaging account of the life of Peter McEwen, his family and business partners.

[Joyce Feher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book by Anne Kay about her great-great grandfather Peter McEwen, his immigration from Scotland to Canada and his years of drilling for first oil then salt. An easy read which explores many familiar places in Southwestern Ontario and brings little known history to life.

[Peggy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 days - so hard to put down! Very enjoyable story of Peter McEwan and his family over 3 generations, and their hardships and triumphs in a new country. Living in Goderich and Huron county, I found the history of the area and the salt industry extremely interesting. A great read!

[Kim Vegso · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Salt Man by Anne Kay, is a fascinating story of our own local history. Well researched (and especially interesting for any reader who lives in southern Ontario and is familiar with all the local places in the book). A page-turner book of the author's own family history which leaves you excited to get to the next chapter! Well done!

[Julie Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Salt Man is an entertaining and informative novel. Anne Kay brings her great, great grandfather and his family (her ancestors) alive . Coming from the Goderich area I could envision Peter at work and at home . Both geographically and historically the author’s research is impeccable. A genealogical curiosity combines with a gift for writing providing us with an intriguing read.

[Colleen Eckert-Denver · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. So well written, I was fully engaged and connected to the characters and the lives they lived. The description of the discovery and workings of the salt wells in Southwestern Ontario were compelling.
I learned so much about the early settlers of Southwestern Ontario, this book was the easiest & most enjoyable way to learn it's history!

[John Lamont]

The Saltman has been a nightly pre-bed read for the past several weeks. I eagerly looked forward to following the life and times of Peter McEwan and his family. This historical novel, based on family archives, oil and salt well research and period lifestyle captured the man, his times, his work ethic and humanity. An excellent read...bravo Anne on your first novel.

[Colleen Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful read. Anne has managed to take the historic events surrounding the discovery of salt in the picturesque town of Goderich, Ontario and her family's role in it and written a rollicking tale full of humour, hardship, intrigue and perseverance all while still being historically accurate. If you love history, romance, and a heartwarming tale you will want to read The Salt Man.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

How wonderful to have a historical fiction written about the part of Ontario that I call home! This book does not disappoint as it is brimming with the history of mining in this region, interwoven with the lives of the author's family in a compelling story that makes it difficult to put this book down until finished. Well done Anne Kay!

[Lorraine Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale of Peter McEwan aka The Salt Man grabs you from the moment his family embarks a ship to Canada. Peter became a man who had determination, relentless work ethic, some luck and a wonderful love. With Christie by his side Peter shows his softer side. It’s a great read!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. Anne Kay is a thoughtful writer who brings the characters alive on the page. This is also a book that makes a great gift, especially for anyone who is familiar with the area.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a frequent visitor to Goderich and area, I enjoyed this book very much. It's written in an accessible style and gives a nice picture of Peter McEwan and his family - and, of course, the history of salt production in Ontario!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical facts about the oil discovery in Oil Springs and the salt mines in Goderich Anne Kay, a relative to Peter McEwan made the family story come to life It's a page turner I would greatly recommend this book

[Jen Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent source of local SouthWestern Ontario history! Good story telling. Anne Kay has put her heart, soul and history into this book.