Natchez Trace

United States   Migration    Trails and Roads    Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace, or "Old Natchez Trace" was a 450 mile (725 km) long trail connecting what were originally American Indian settlements on the Cumberland River (Nashville, Tennessee) and Tennessee River ("Wawmanona" Indian site near Florence, Alabama) with settlements near the Mississippi River (Natchez, Mississippi). In the 1796 the trace was extended from Nashville, Tennessee to Maysville, Kentucky where it connected with Zane's Trace which continued through Ohio to Wheeling, West Virginia. This made it possible to go by wagon from Philadelphia to Wheeling to Maysville to Nashville to Natchez for the first time.

Historical Background
The "trace" was first created by animals like bison to reach salt licks in the Nashville area, and their grazing areas near the Mississippi River. American Indians, developed the trace further for trading mostly, and also as a warpath. An unknown Frenchman was the first European to write about traveling the full Natchez Trace in 1742. But earlier Europeans such as Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto may have come across parts of the trace in 1540 while being guided by Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians. The trace followed a natural ridge and, at first, was only a narrow footpath or horse trail unsuitable for wagons because of trees.

In 1801 the United States signed a treaty with the Choctaw Indians allowing construction of a mail road by the side the the old footpath.

Route
Original trace south to north:


 * Natchez, Adams, Mississippi
 * Port Gibson, Claiborne, Mississippi
 * Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi
 * Williamsville, Attala, Mississippi
 * Tupelo, Lee, Mississippi
 * Tishomingo, Tishomingo, Mississippi
 * Florence, Lauderdale, Alabama
 * Collinwood, Wayne, Tennessee
 * Duck River, Hickman, Tennessee
 * Leipers Fork, Williamson, Tennessee
 * Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee

1796 extension:


 * Tompkinsville, Monroe, Kentucky
 * Harrodsburg, Mercer, Kentucky
 * Lexington, Fayette, Kentucky
 * Maysville, Mason, Kentucky

Settlers and Records
For partial list of settlers who used the Natchez Trace to come to Tennessee or Mississippi, see.

Internet Sites

 * Natchez Trace Visitor Guide (brochure) photos, maps, exhibits, and historical sites.
 * Natchez Trace Parkway Map detailed highway map by the National Park Service with easy-to-use viewer.