T\(atche^ Trace PARKWAY TENNESSEE . ALABAMA • MISSISSIPPI The Postmaster General complained that it munities of Mississippi and Louisiana. For Pontotoc Creek, 1832, surrendered all claim Travel on the Parkway.—Three sections would be used only "at a great expense to a full generation the Natchez Trace was the to lands occupied by their ancestors for cen­ of the parkway have been completed and are Natchez Trace the public on account of the badness of the most heavily traveled, and thus the most im­ turies and moved west. Soon these lands open. Two are in Mississippi. One, 102 road which is said to be no other than an portant, highway of the old Southwest. were settled and the wilderness character of miles long, runs from U. S. 51, 10 miles Indian footpath very devious and narrow." After 1800, the Natchez Trace became a the road was lost. north of Jackson to U. S. 82 near Mathiston. He then suggested to the Secretary of War colorful, dramatic, and vital segment of life By the beginning of the third decade of The other runs 12 miles from U. S. 61, 10 Parkway that United States troops stationed in the in America. The figures of the Indian, the the 19th century this old road had entered miles northeast of Natchez to State Route Southwest be used "in clearing out a wagon explorer, and the hunter were followed by into decline. The development of the steam­ 553, 6 miles west of Fayette. The paved road and bridging the creeks and causeway­ the Kentucky boatmen, the circuit riding boat as a means of transportation induced section in Tennessee and Alabama runs 34 •jcNatchez Trace Parkway memorializes a series of Indian paths that became a In 1763, France ceded the region to Eng­ ing the swamps between Nashville and preachers, soldiers, agents of government, travelers to choose other routes of travel. miles from Alabama Route 20, 15 miles wilderness roadway between Natchez and Nashville and during 1800-1830 succes­ land which occupied it until ousted by the Natchez." and the settlers passing this way. Thus was closed a brief chapter of the fron­ northwest of Florence, Ala., to U. S. 64, sively a post road and highway binding the Old Southwest .to the Onion. Spanish in 1779. After the American Rev­ In 1801, permission to improve the road The Natchez Trace was of great military tier epic. Some sections of the trace were about halfway between Waynesboro and olution, the United States acquired the Eng­ was secured from the Chickasaw and Choc­ importance. When, in 1803 it appeared that abandoned and the ground itself given over Lawrenceburg, Tenn. When the white man began to explore ingly important after the coming of the white lish claims to the region. From 1783, both taw Indians. Gen. James Wilkinson, com­ France might refuse to surrender Louisiana, to the growing of cotton, corn, or tobacco. the southern part of the United States he man, who used it in his military, political, Spain and the United States claimed the manding the United States Army in the West, as provided by the treaty, President Jefferson Instead of the Indian war cry or the clanking REGULATIONS found a network of beaten paths, perhaps and commercial activities while pushing into region, with the Spanish occupying the then prepared a map of the Natchez Trace. ordered Tennessee Militia to Natchez—the of spur and saber, the creak of the loaded first made by buffalo or other wild animals the region from the Gulf of Mexico or from southern part, their most important outpost National Park Service regulations are de­ He ended his description of the survey with first military use of the trace. Later, during wagon or the rumbling of a carriage was in quest of salt licks or food. The Indian the Atlantic Seaboard. Later, it was known being at Natchez. Americans had already signed for the protection of the natural fea­ a penetrating analysis of the diplomatic and the War of 1812, Tennessee militia units heard. The old Natchez Trace had now added others and turned many of the older as the Natchez Trace. begun to move into the northern part of the tures and scenery, as well as for your comfort The Natchez Trace, after more than a military importance of the Trace: "This road were ordered to Natchez, and on arrival, early become a series of local roads connecting ones to his own use as warpaths, hunting area, and, in 1780, they established Nashville and convenience. Please help to protect the century of use, has become a sunken road being compleated, I shall consider our South­ in 1813, received orders to disband. The newly established farms or thriving new courses, or trails linking village with vil­ 18TH-CENTURY NATCHEZ TRACE as their southwesternmost outpost. After parkway by observing the following rules and shaded by overhanging trees. ern extremity secured, the Indians in that commander, Andrew Jackson, refused to obey communities. lage and tribe with tribe. Use of these the middle 1780's, men from Kentucky and regulations. The area through which the Natchez Trace quarter at our feet, & the adjacent Province the order. He and his men marched home trails by prehistoric Indians is suggested adjacent parts of the old West returned to THE PARKWAY Fire.—The parkway's greatest enemy is Drinking water.—Many of the streams ran was first explored by Frenchmen during laid open to us." over the Natchez Trace. Because he shared by physical remains—mounds, village sites, their homes over the Natchez Trace afoot, fire. Campfires must be built only in desig­ are polluted and cannot be used safely as a the early 1700's. Their first permanant set­ their hardships on this march, his men ad­ The Natchez Trace Parkway was created cemeteries, and fortifications—located along after having floated flour and other farm Work on the road began late in 1801. nated spots. Cigarettes, cigars, and matches source of drinking water. tlement in this region was made at Natchez miringly called him "Old Hickory." Two by an act of Congress on May 18, 1938, as the various routes. Pioneer settlers fre­ products to New Orleans on flatboats. Whether the troops actually cleared all the must always be extinguished before they are Commercial vehicles are excluded from in 1716. By 1733, a map of the region had years later the veterans of the Battle of New a unit of the National Park System. When quently called such a trail a trace—a word Prior to 1798, the existence of the Natchez road from Duck River Ridge, 30 miles south thrown away. They should never be thrown the parkway. been made showing the Indian trail, which Orleans triumphantly marched homeward completed, the parkway will run about 450 which in old French suggests its origin as a Trace put considerable pressure on Spain to of Nashville, to Grindstone Ford, near Port from cars or trucks. Fires should be reported Picnic only at designated areas. later was called the Natchez Trace, running over the Natchez Trace. miles from Natchez, Miss., to Nashville, line of footprints or animal tracks. surrender her claim to Natchez and later to Gibson, Miss., is not known. Increased immediately to the nearest National Park Park rangers are here to assist and advise from Natchez to the Choctaw villages and The Choctaw Indians by the Treaties of Tenn., following closely the route of the old West Florida, as that part of Louisiana east traffic, after the acquisition of Louisiana in Service employee. you, as well as to protect life and property. These traces, or trails, showed a marked thence to the Chickasaw villages in north­ Doak's Stand, 1820, and Dancing Rabbit, Natchez Trace. It is a motor road with a of the Mississippi, except New Orleans, was 1803, called for further improvement. In Natural, historical, and archeological They will be glad to furnish information and tendency to follow watershed divides in an east Mississippi. The French settled on the 1830, and the Chickasaws by the Treaty of wide parklike right-of-way along which are then called. 1806, Congress provided money, and addi­ features.—Trees, shrubs, flowers, and histor­ help in any way so that you may get the most Gulf Coast and along the Mississippi River places of historic interest, such as remnants effort to avoid stream crossings and swamps, In 1798, Spain, while retaining the lands tional improvements were made under the ical and archeological features are protected enjoyment from your trip on the parkway. at New Orleans and Natchez and established of the old trace, "stands" (inn sites), ferry even though the distances were greater. west of the Mississippi and along the Gulf direction of the Postmaster General. Mich- Rocky Springs Church, Claiborne County, at all times. Please help us to preserve them forts and trading posts elsewhere. They sites, and Indian mounds. Many places of Several of these trails, though individually Coast finally surrendered Natchez, along with aux, a French traveler, estimated that work Miss., on the Old Natchez Trace. for others to enjoy. Birds and all other ani­ ADMINISTRATION unimportant, when joined together led in a were interested in Indian trade and made historic interest will be preserved and suit­ all lands north of latitude 31° N., to the done by the Army reduced the distance from mals are protected and may not be molested Natchez Trace Parkway is administered by northeasterly direction from present-day little effort to colonize the interior. ably marked to explain and illustrate the use United States. Mississippi Territory was Natchez to Nashville by 100 miles. The in any way. the National Park Service of the U. S. Depart­ Natchez, Miss., to Nashville, Tenn. Thus of the old road. Signs direct you to all points During the 18th century the Natchez Trace immediately organized, with its capital at Postmaster General estimated that the 1806 Firearms.—The discharge of firearms is ment of the Interior. Parkway headquarters the Natchez, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and prob­ of interest. came to be used more and more by white men. Natchez. The new territory had a popu­ improvement would reduce the distance by prohibited. are located near U. S. 45, 5 miles north of ably the Cherokee Indian tribes were linked Parking areas are located at convenient French traders and missionaries traveled over lation of more than 8,000 people, mostly an additional 50 miles. Sanitation.—This is your parkway. Please Tupelo. A superintendent, whose address is together. This trail system became increas­ English-speaking, who had settled there intervals to enable you to stop, inspect parts it; later the English, and then the Spanish. help to keep it clean. Tupelo, Miss., is in immediate charge. of the old trace, read the marker texts, and during the period of British control, A PIONEER HIGHWAY 1763-79. observe the plant and animal life of the re­ The National Park System, of which this area is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the After the lower Mississippi Valley became gion from a nature trail. A POST ROAD UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR American, the Natchez Trace provided the Some 148 miles of the parkway have been scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment Fred A. Seaton, Secretary A post road between Natchez and Nash­ surest means of communication between the completed, and 97 miles are in various stages of its people. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Conrad L. Wirth, Director ville was established by Congress in 1800. eastern United States and the outlying com­ of construction. Tsjatche^ ^race PARKWAY TENNESSEE . ALABAMA . MISSISSIPPI

Revised 1959 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1959 0-497785