The story of Natchez Trace is the story of the saw villages in the northeastern part of the between Nashville and Natchez, but the few By 1819, 20 steamboats were operating Accommodations Natchez Trace Parkway people who used it: the Indians who traded and State. French traders, missionaries, and troops assigned the task could not hope to between New Orleans and such interior cities There are no overnight facilities along the park­ The parkway, which runs through Tennessee, hunted along it; the "Kaintuck" boatmen who soldiers frequently traveled over the old complete it without substantial assistance. So, as St. Louis, Louisville, and Nashville. No way. Motels, hotels, and restaurants may be found Alabama, and Mississippi, is administered by the pounded it into a rough wilderness road on Indian trade route. in 1808, Congress appropriated $6 thousand to longer was it necessary for the traveler to use in nearby towns and cities. The only service National Park Service, U.S. Department of the their way back from trading expeditions to In 1763 France ceded the region to allow the Postmaster General to contract for the trace in journeying north. Thus, steam­ station is at Jeff Busby. Campgrounds are at Interior. A superintendent, with offices in the Spanish Natchez and New Orleans; and the England, and under British rule a large popula­ improvements, and within a short time the old boats, new roads, new towns, and the passing Rocky Springs, Jeff Busby, and Meriwether Tupelo Visitor Center, is in charge. Send all in­ post riders, government officials, and soldiers tion of English-speaking people moved into Indian and boatmen trail became an important of the frontier finally reduced the trace to a Lewis. Campsites cannot be reserved; stays are quiries to him at Rural Route 1, NT-143, Tupelo, who, from 1800 to 1830, made it a link between the area around Natchez. British maps of the frontier road. quiet forest lane. limited to 15 days during periods of heavy MS 38801, or telephone (601) 842-1572. Mississippi Territory and the fledgling United period show a trail called "Path to the Choctaw The Government encouraged the erection Today only a few sections of the historic visitation. States. Nation." of inns, or "stands" as they were then called, trace remain. A paved parkway too smooth for As the Nation's principal conservation agency, During the American Revolution, Spain along the trace. The first was built in 1804, and yesteryear's traveler to imagine takes us Seasonal Changes the Department of the Interior has responsibility Natchez Trace Parkway is a unit of the National went to war against England and, as a result for most of our nationally owned public lands I by 1820 more than 20 were in operation. through this land of historic adventure and Summer weather is generally hot and humid. Park System that preserves a good part of the of the British defeat, claimed all the land Usually half-breed Indians or white men with natural beauty. The winter is usually cold and damp with occa­ and natural resources. This includes fostering history associated with the original frontier between the Mississippi and the Chattahoo­ Indian wives operated these wayside rest sional warm periods. Spring and autumn are the wisest use of our land and water resources, road. When completed, the 450-mile parkway chee Rivers and northward beyond present-day stops. Except for Mount Locust and Red Bluff, mild and warm. Insect netting and repellent are protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the will roughly follow the route of the original Memphis. all were rather crude inns. recommended for camping. environmental and cultural values of our nation­ Natchez Trace through the States of Missis­ Beginning about 1785, men from Ohio, In 1812 the United States declared war on The elevations above sea level along the al parks and historical places, and providing for sippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, connecting Kentucky, and other parts of the western England. Because Spain was an ally of Britain, parkway range from 105 feet in Mississippi to the enjoyment of life through outdoor recrea­ the cities of Natchez, Jackson, Tupelo, and frontier floated products such as flour, pork, Gen. Andrew Jackson's Tennessee militia was 1,020 feet in Tennessee. tion. The Department assesses our energy and Nashville. tobacco, hemp, and iron down the Mississippi ordered down the Natchez Trace to protect mineral resources and works to assure that their Enrich your trip by taking the time to to the markets at Natchez and New Orleans. New Orleans from a threatened Spanish Parkway Regulations development is in the best interests of all our explore the many archeological sites, historical Once downriver the only way home was either invasion from West Florida. The invasion did Uniformed park rangers patrol the parkway. people. The Department also has a major re­ landmarks, nature trails, and recreational areas to walk or ride the 450-mile trail from Natchez not materialize, and Jackson was ordered to They are there to help you have an enjoyable sponsibility for American Indian reservation off the parkway. You can walk or ride over to Nashville. The volume of traffic grew until disband the militia. He refused and marched trip and to enforce the laws that govern the communities and for people who live in Island typical sections of the old trace and see for these colorful "Kaintuck" boatmen had his troops back up the Natchez Trace sharing parkway's use. Territories under U.S. administration. yourself what a frontier road looked like. Here trampled the trace into a crude road. For years their hardships and earning the nickname "Old Posted speed limits must be obeyed at all and there you will find obscure remains—a the pioneer economy was largely based upon Hickory." In 1815, the British attempted to times. Speed limits are enforced through the house, an abandoned mine, or an old stream the Spanish silver they carried home. seize control of the lower Mississippi, but use of radar. crossing—all associated with the people who The transformation of the boatmen's trail Jackson stopped them at the Battle of New Hauling and commercial trucking are not lived on or traveled over this thoroughfare. into the Natchez Trace in 1798 came when Orleans. The victors then followed the trace permitted. Spain surrendered all claims to lands north of northward to their homes. Because of Jack­ Hunting and the use of firearms are pro­ A Wilderness Trail To The Gulf the 31st parallel. The United States in the son's victory march, his name has been hibited. When the French arrived on the gulf coast in same year created the Mississippi Territory associated with the trace more than that of All natural, historical, and archeological ob­ 1699, they found the Old Southwest occupied with Natchez as its capital. Adequate commu­ any other man. jects must be left undisturbed. by the Natchez, Choctaw, and Chickasaw nication between the Territory and Washington, From 1800 to 1820 this rough road was Tent and travel-trailer camping are per­ i Indians. These Indians were relative late­ D.C., became important, and in 1800 Congress the most heavily traveled in the Old Southwest. mitted only at authorized campgrounds. comers to the region, for archeological evi­ extended mail service to Natchez. The road Boatmen, soldiers, postmen, missionaries, Build fires only in fireplaces. Carefully ex­ dence found in the many mounds and village was still a wilderness trail, and the Postmaster Indians, and pioneer settlers moved along the tinguish all cigarettes and matches; neverthrow sites indicates human habitation as long ago General complained that it could be used only road sharing its discomforts and dangers. them or other debris from vehicles. "at a great expense to the public on account of perhaps as 8,000 years. By 1733 the French Steaming swamps, floods, insects, accidents, Report all accidents, fires, and emergencies the badness of the road which is said to be no had explored the area well enough to draw a sickness, unfriendly Indians, and occasional to the nearest uniformed park ranger. Check the map showing an Indian trail running from other than an Indian footpath very devious and robbers plagued travelers on the trace. A Word About Safety map for the ranger station locations, or ask the Natchez to the Choctaw villages near present- narrow." In 1801 President Thomas Jefferson In January 1812 the steamer "New Or­ Drive defensively and make rest stops regularly. telephone operator to connect you with the National Park Service day Jackson, Miss., and then on to the Chicka­ ordered the U.S. Army to clear the road 2 leans" made its first appearance at Natchez. Slow down at sundown and during rainstorms. nearest park ranger residence or station. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR How To Use This Folder: Along the parkway mileposts mark the distance from Natchez. On this map 10-mile intervals are indicated to give you a general reference to your location. The accompanying September and every weekend in October. A nature trail narrative describes specific sites whose locations nic area and restrooms. A legend states that witches leads through an area of forest regrowth. 350.5 Old Trace. Three sections of the original road can leads through a Tupelo-bald cypress swamp that is in once gathered here to dance. Horseback riders can get be seen here. The Trace changed directions to avoid are shown in bold-faced type. Along the parkway The parkway is not completed from milepost 282 to the process of changing to a mixed hardwood bottom­ to a 9- and 15-mile trail on Forest Service land from the the postrider emblem (above) marks sites of 320.3 except for a 6-mile isolated section that can be mudholes.