Near Port Gibson in Claiborne County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Grindstone Ford

Photographed By Duane Hall, March 22, 2010

1. Grindstone Ford Marker

Inscription. This ford marked the beginning of the wilderness of the Choctaw nation and the end of the old Natchez District. Nearby Fort Deposit was a supply depot for troops clearing the Trace in 1801-02, and troops were assembled here during the Burr conspiracy allegedly to separate the Western States from the Union. The site takes its name from a nearby water mill.

The trail to your left takes you to the Old Trace and Grindstone Ford.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Natchez Trace series list.

Location. 32° 0.177′ N, 90° 53.734′ W. Marker is near Port Gibson, Mississippi, in Claiborne County. Marker is on Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 45.7). Marker is located next to parking lot at end of turnoff road for Grindstone Ford from Natchez Trace Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Gibson MS 39150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Skirmish at Willow Springs (approx. 2.3 miles away); Fight for Hankinson's Ferry (approx. 2.6 miles away); Grant at Hankinson's Ferry (approx. 2.6 miles away); Site of the Hermitage

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(approx. 3.6 miles away); Sunken Trace (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Road to Vicksburg (approx. 4.7 miles away); Owens Creek (approx. 5.7 miles away); St. Peter A.M.E. Church (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Gibson.

Also see . . . Natchez Trace Parkway. Official National Park Service website. (Submitted on August 17, 2015.)

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 4, 2015

2. Grindstone Ford Marker

Beginning of Trail Leading to Old Trace image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 4, 2015

3. Beginning of Trail Leading to Old Trace

Interpretive sign "Grindstone Ford" missing
from support post in lower right of photo

Grindstone Ford Interpretive Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, March 22, 2010

4. Grindstone Ford Interpretive Sign

Riverboatmen on foot or horseback crossed here, northbound, after floating cargoes down the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans. Soldiers splashed across from the north to protect the Natchez District from British and Spanish threats. For post riders, Indians, bandits, and preachers, Bayou Pierre was the line between civilization and wilderness.

Family Cemetery Along the Old Trace image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 4, 2015

5. Family Cemetery Along the Old Trace

The Old Trace near the Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, March 22, 2010

6. The Old Trace near the Cemetery

View to the south

Interpretive Sign on the Trail to Grindstone Ford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 4, 2015

7. Interpretive Sign on the Trail to Grindstone Ford

View to the south

Daniel Burnett's Stand Interpretive Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 4, 2015

8. Daniel Burnett's Stand Interpretive Sign

Daniel Burnett's Stand ... stood near here. Burnett was speaker of the Territorial House of Representatives, a principal negotiator with the Choctaws, and a framer of the State Constitution – but his Stand was unpretentious. His guests supped on mush and milk in a room filled with their own gear and Burnett's supplies. From here you may follow their path along the Trace to Grindstone Ford.

Old Trace Leading to Grindstone Ford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 4, 2015

9. Old Trace Leading to Grindstone Ford

View to the north

Floodplain of Bayou Pierre Near Grindstone Ford image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, March 22, 2010

10. Floodplain of Bayou Pierre Near Grindstone Ford

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 944 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 19, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on December 19, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 5. submitted on August 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 6. submitted on December 19, 2012, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on August 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.