photo #4564124

This is what is known as a “Lick-Log”: There was a time when many country people allowed their hogs and cattle to run free in the mountains to fatten up on chestnuts, acorns, etc. The animals were either branded or had notched ears to identify who they belonged to. Salt was placed in the notches in the lick-log which the animals needed to stay healthy. Only a few of these old logs probably remain to remind us of a time that few people can remember.🪵 Avery County, North Carolina has a road that is named Licklog and this is how it got its name.(By: Kim Wright)