In the early to mid-1800s, the San Andres Salt Trail provided area residents with salt, a mineral vital for settlers on the frontier. Salt was used to preserve meat and dairy products, and for processing silver ore. In 1824, several Mexican families residing in the communities of Socorro and San Elizario established this salt trail. It extended about 90 miles from San Elizario north along the east side of the Organ Mountains to Salinas de San Andres (now Lake Lucero), located on the present White Sands Missile Range. As late as 1850, the trail provided access to salt for West Texas, New Mexico and several northern Mexican states.