The Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway. . , (Marker #1) , The Natchez Trace Parkway , This parkway, a unit of the National Park System, commemorates one of the great thoroughfares of early-day America: the Natchez Trace. , , (Photo Captions) , Jackson Falls , A scenic picnic area overlooking the Duck River with trails to a waterfall and a viewpoint 300 feet above the Duck River. , , Little Mountain , Here is a campground and picnic area with exhibits, overlook, nature trail, convenience store, and service station. , , Emerald Mound , Second largest ceremonial mound in the United States and one of the many major archeologic sites along the parkway. , , Crafts Center , Features a wide variety of Mississippi handicrafts on display and for sale as well as crafts demonstrations and workshops. , , (Marker #2) , The Old Natchez Trace , From the trails of wild animals and Indians grew the Natchez Trace, a road through the wilderness binding the Old Southwest to the rest of the nation. , , In the 18th century, Indians and French explorers traveled along the trails. , , The United States Government authorized a post road between Natchez and Nashville in 1800. Soon the old trails were greatly improved. (Postmaster General Gideon Granger urged improvements to President Thomas Jefferson, 1806.) , , Battle of New Orleans , The War of 18 12 end triumphantly at New Orleans in 1815. The folklore of the Trace in the old Southwest stems from the homeward march of Gen. Jackson’s soldiers over the road. , , (Marker #3) , The Choctaw Indians , From the 16th century until the 1830's, the Choctaw lived in the region adjoining the Parkway. , , (Drawing Captions) , Choctaws in the early 1700's, when the French dominated the area. , , Pushmataha , The Choctaw were never at war with the Americans. Under the influence of Pushmataha (1764-1824), the greatest of all Choctaw chiefs, they refused to join anti-American alliances. , , Choctaw Village , In 1800, about 20,000 lived in present-day Mississippi. , , (Marker #4) , The Choctaw and the Trace , The Indians played important roles in the development of this pioneer highway, 1800-1830. , , (Figure Captions) , Treaty of Fort Adams , In 1801, the Choctaw permitted the United States to open the Natchez Trace, through their lands. , , Choctaw Lands and Cessions, 1800 - 1830. , The Choctaw claimed most of the present state of Mississippi. By 1830, they had ceded all this territory to the United States. , , French Camp Marker , The Indians established inns along the Trace. Some carved farms out of the wilderness. They made rapid progress in self-government and began to accept the white man’s way of living. , , Playing Stick-Ball, Philadelphia, Miss. , After 1830, the tribe moved to Oklahoma. A number remained in Mississippi, however, where their descendants reside today.