Natchez Trace

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The Natchez Trace started as a footpath before 1742 to connect Nashville, Tennessee with Natchez, Mississippi. This sunken section is near Port Gibson, Mississippi.

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 1790s 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.

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.

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.