Just a few years ago we visited Avery Island and observed the Tabasco being made there.
Avery Island is a family owned money making machine. The company owned by the McElheny family. One of it’s famous sons was commandant of the Marine Corps
To enter the island, you must cross a bridge and pay an access fee before proceeding.
The family operates the Tabasco factory and many employees actually live on the island. The peppers are now grown on their own farms in I believe Costa Rica. I can’t remember if there was a fee for the plant tour. They have a fairly large store selling Tabasco and every kind of souvenir imaginable
They discovered that the island was build up on a salt dome. They began mining the salt.
They penetrated the salt dome and found oil
It became a tourist destination and they created a southern garden and wild life exhibits for which you must pay a fee for entry to the area.
Sounds like a great place to visit. Do they let you sample all of their sauces during the visit?