Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site (MS)

Located on MS Hwy 370 west of Baldwyn, this one-acre battlefieldsite commemorates the battle that had one objective--to make itimpossible for Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest tointerfere with General William T. Sherman's railroad supply linefrom Nashville to Chattanooga during the Atlanta campaign. Forrestscored a decisive victory over General S.D. Sturgis' Union forceswhen they met at Brices Cross Roads on June 10, 1864. The Unionlost five men to every Southern casualty and General Forrest'stroops managed to capture desperately needed supplies, includingguns, ammunition, cannon, and wagons. The battle was considered amajor tactical victory for the Confederacy, but did not diminishthe effectiveness of Sherman's campaign as supplies continued toflow.

Directions

The Site is 6 miles (9.6 km) west of Baldwyn on MS 370.

Casey Jones Museum State Park (MS)

Shortly after midnight on April 30, 1900, the "Cannonball" leftMemphis, Tennessee with Jonathan Luther "Casey" Jones at thethrottle. Trying to make up time in the run from Memphis to Canton,Mississippi, Jones had just ran through a stop signal when afreight train came into view crossing the track in front of the"Cannonball." Realizing that a crash was inevitable, Jones orderedhis fireman to jump clear just before the "Cannonball" rammed intofour cars of the freight train. Jones was killed in the crash.

Directions

Casey Jones State Park can be reached by I-55, junction with the Natchez Trace in Jackson, and travelling north approximately 20 miles.

Chickasaw Village (MS)

Exhibits describing the daily life of the Chickasaw Indians, as well as the early history of this village site.

Directions

Chickasaw Village is located on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 261.8.

Emerald Mound (MS)

Emerald Mound, one of the largest ceremonial mounds in the United States, is a massive, flat-topped earthen structure that rises 35 feet high and covers eight acres along the Natchez Trace Parkway. It was given to the National Park Service in 1950 and in 1989 was assigned the highest value bestowed upon American historic places: National Historic Landmark status.

On either end of Emerald's huge main platform, are secondary flat-topped mounds, which were probably the sites of a temple and the residence of a priest or ruler. Early drawings of Emerald suggest that three smaller mounds flanked the sides of the great earthwork. Built and occupied between 1250 and 1600 AD, this former Mississippian town as home to the ancestors of the Natchez people, whose remnants the French would encounter in the early 1700s. Emerald Mound, at its zenith, was most likely the settingfor large religious and civic rituals.

Directions

Emerald Mound is located at Milepost 10.3 on the Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi).

Grand Village of the Natchez State Historic Site (MS)

Center of activities of the now-extinct Natchez Indians from 1682-1729.

Directions

It is located on 400 Jefferson Davis Boulevard, just off Hwy. 98 in Natchez.

Homochitto National Forest (MS)

The Homochitto purchase unit was established in 1936 as the first National Forest in Mississippi. The Forest was named for the Homochitto River, an Indian name for Big Red River. France, England, Spain, and the United States strongly influenced the area of land around what is now the Homochitto National Forest. It operated as a single district until 1952, then was divided into two Ranger Districts, the Bude and the Homochitto.

The Forest, consisting of approximately 189,000 acres, hosts a number of resources. The Homochitto is one of the leading timber-producing National Forests in the South. For nearly 50 years, exploration for oil and gas has taken place on this Forest. About 86 percent of the producing wells on National Forest land in Mississippi come from the Homochitto.

Directions

The Homochitto National Forest is located near the Natchez Trace Parkway east of Natchez and west of McComb.

Mississippi Crafts Center (MS)

The Mississippi Crafts Center has been located on the historicNatchez Trace Parkway since 1975. The Crafts Center, which ishoused in a dog trot cabin, features a Guild sales shop and offersa nationally recognized program of crafts demonstrations, classes,and festivals. Works available for purchase range fromcenturies-old Native American cane basket designs by members of theChoctaw Tribe to pottery, weaving, quilting, and jewelry intraditional and contemporary styles.

Directions

To reach the Mississippi Crafts Center take the Natchez Trace Exit (105-A) from I-55 North one mile north of Jackson, Mississippi.

Mount Locust (MS)

Mount Locust, standing on a land grant of 600 acres, dates from the English occupation of the Natchez District during the years 1763-1779 when it was part of British West Florida. The home was one of the original stands, or hotels of sorts, along the Natchez Trace during its early years. Fully restored now, Mount Locust offers visitors a taste of what life was like on the Natchez Trace during its golden years.

Directions

Mount Locust is located on the Parkway at milepost 15.5.

Rocky Springs (MS)

In the 1790s new settlers were attracted to this area by the rich soil and many springs. They cleared the land, built homes, and, in 1837, built an impressive brick church. By 1860 Rocky Springs was a prosperous rural community of 2,616 people. Several owned property valued at $50,000 to $100,000. The community had a Methodist church, post office, Masonic lodge, and several stores. Between 1860 and 1920 the area was devastated by the Civil War, yellow fever, the boll weevil, and land erosion. Today only the church and cemetery, two rusting safes, and abandoned cisterns mark the site of the town.

Directions

Rocky Springs is located at milepost 54.8 on the Natchez Trace, between Natchez and Clinton, MS.

Tombigbee National Forest (MS)

With two locations, one on the byway and the other nearby, the Tombigbee offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Directions

One section is located along the Trace from milepost 234 - 247. The other section is 10 miles east of Jeff Busby.