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Natchez Trace Parkway
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The Natchez Trace Parkway was established May 18, 1938 and originally follows an historic Indian trace, or trail, between Nashville, Tennessee and Natchez, Mississippi. Of the 444 miles of Parkway, 423 are completed. Thanks to the dedication and foresight of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Natchez Trace Parkway Association, the President of the United States signed a measure creating the Natchez Trace Parkway, with the proviso that it be administered by the National Park Service.
The Parkway preserves significant historical sites such as Emerald Mound, the second largest ceremonial mound in the United States, plantation sites, pioneer stands/inns, archeological sites/villages, pioneer and slave cemeteries and an historic housing site, part of the resettlement program of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The Trace tells the story of great leaders such as Meriwether Lewis and Andrew Jackson, and outlaws such as John Murrell and Samuel Mason. Today the "Old Trace" is paralleled by the modern Natchez Trace Parkway. Designated as part of the National Scenic Byways Program, the Natchez Trace Parkway was named an “All American Road” in 1995 to commemorate its beauty, landscape features, historic and intrinsic qualities.
The commemorative Parkway represents a means by which travelers can capture a glimpse of history not easily forgotten while also enjoying a leisurely drive along an historic landscape.
What to See:
Tupelo National Battlefield Tupelo, MS
Here, on July 13-14, 1864, Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest tried to cut the railroad supplying the Unions march on Atlanta. Established as a national battlefield site Feb. 21, 1929; transferred from War Dept. Aug. 10, 1933; changed to national battlefield and boundary changed Aug. 10, 1961. The Battle of Tupelo, which was a part of a larger strategy by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman to protect the railroad that was his supply line, broke out on July 14, 1864, when Federal troops under Gen. A.J. Smith battled Confederates under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. Both sides also battled the heat that ultimately forced the Federal retreat. Tupelo National Battlefield was established as a national battlefield site on February 21, 1929. It was transferred from the War Department Aug. 10, 1933, and changed to a national battlefield Aug. 10, 1961.
Reprinted from the National Park Services
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