Natchez in Adams County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Fort Rosalie Revisited
Fort Rosalie revisité
In 1940, Natchez native Jefferson Davis Dickson built a "reconstruction" of Fort Rosalie as a tourism attraction to appeal to the city's early automobile-driving visitors. A World War I flying ace and sports promoter, Dickson built several area tourist attractions designed to coincide with the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage, the city annual historic home tour that began in 1932. His replica of Fort Rosalie included a stockade, barracks, officers' quarters, storehouse, powder magazine and blacksmith shop, all built out of logs with little concern for historic accuracy but filled with artifacts from the state history museum. During World War II, Davis re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an aerial photographer but his plane went down over France in 1943. Subsequently, his tourist attractions deteriorated and today, only this log cabin that once served as Fort Rosalie's gift shop survives at the site.
French Text
En 1940, Jefferson Davis Dickson, originaire de Natchez, a bâti une « reconstruction » de Fort Rosalie pour en faire une attraction touristique et plaire aux premiers visiteurs de la ville en conduite automobile. As de l'aviation et promoteur sportif de la Première Guerre mondiale, Dickson a construit plusieurs attractions touristiques dans la région conçues pour coïncider avec le pèlerinage de printemps de Natchez, la visite historique annuelle de la ville qui a débuté en 1932. La réplique de Fort Rosalie comprenait une palissade, des casernes, des quartiers d'officiers, un entrepôt, un magasin de poudre et un atelier de forgeron, tous construits en rondins avec peu de souci d'exactitude historique mais remplis d'artefacts du musée d'histoire de l'État. Pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Davis s'est réenrôlé dans I'US Air Force, servant de photographe aérien, mais son avion a coulé au-dessus de la France en 1943. Par la suite, ses attractions touristiques se sont détériorées et aujourd'hui, seule cette cabane en rondins qui servait autrefois de boutique à Fort Rosalie a survécu sur le site.
Erected by National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Natchez National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 31° 33.493′ N, 91° 24.515′ W. Marker is in Natchez, Mississippi, in Adams County . Marker is on South Canal Street near D A Biglane Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Natchez MS 39120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ft. Rosalie (Ft. Panmure) (a few steps from this marker); A Canal Street Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); Bernardo de Gálvez (within shouting distance of this marker); Rosalie Cemetery (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Rosalie (about 600 feet away); The Parsonage (about 700 feet away); The Spanish Lay Out a Permanent Town (about 700 feet away); The British Assume Control and Shelter Tories (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natchez.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2022, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.