Natchez Blues Trail POI – Points of Interest

by Mauka · Published March 6, 2024 · Updated April 24, 2024

NATCHEZ BLUES TRAIL
Points of Interest

Natchez Blues Trail POI, First of all,
Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River,
is a historic town with a rich cultural legacy.
Additionally, here are three attractions showcasing
a variety of historical events.

Natchez MS Blues Trail: NATCHEZ CITY CEMETERY
We find old cemeteries to be so interesting! Believe me, this is not just your average cemetery –
it’s a treasure trove of history, grandeur, mystery, and tragedy that will leave you fascinated and awestruck.

Established in 1822 on the bluffs overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, this cemetery is home to some of the most intriguing stories and individuals that have shaped Natchez into what it is today.
As you walk through its beautiful grounds with breathtaking views of the river (especially at sunset!), you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
One of my personal favorite features of this cemetery are the majestic live oak trees that line the drive leading to its main office – known as the Shelter House. It’s hard not to feel a sense of peace and tranquility surrounded by these ancient trees.
Fun fact: did you know that Natchez’s earlier cemetery was located in Memorial Park next to St. Mary’s Basilica? But as the city grew, a new and larger cemetery was needed, leading to the creation of the Natchez City Cemetery. Many remains from private plantation and churchyard burials were also reinterred here, making it an even more significant site for honoring those who came before us.
Aside from being a resting place for notable individuals from Natchez’s past, this cemetery is also home to stunning iron fences, benches, tombstones, monuments, and other works of art crafted with masterful skill. During the antebellum era, there were some incredibly skilled marble workers. They are responsible for many of the stunning sculpted monuments that were built during this time. These monuments often have inscriptions that are not only beautiful, but also make you think and feel deeply.
In addition, you will see an amazing collection of ironwork from the 19th and early 20th century in America.

So next time you’re in Natchez, make sure to add a visit to the Natchez City Cemetery on your itinerary.
You won’t regret delving deeper into its rich history and experiencing its beauty firsthand.
Plus, who knows what stories you may uncover on your journey through this extraordinary place?

Natchez MS Blues Trail: NATCHEZ CITY CEMETERY
Natchez Blues Trail POI: the Natchez City Cemetery Read more about the NATCHEZ HISTORIC CEMETERY.

Natchez Blues Trail POI: FORKS-OF-THE-ROAD
This site is the location of the second largest domestic slave market in the Deep South

In the years leading up to the American Civil War, it was common to find marketplaces in every town of considerable size in Mississippi where enslaved Africans were sold and bought.
While Natchez stood out as the most bustling slave trading city in the state, other significant markets also operated in Aberdeen, Crystal Springs, Vicksburg, Woodville, and Jackson.
Natchez played a crucial role in the movement of enslaved individuals to the cotton plantations of the Deep South. While slave sales were held at various places, one market in particular stood out for its high number of transactions.
This market, known as “The Forks of the Road,” was situated at the busy crossroads of Liberty Road and Washington Road, approximately one mile east of downtown Natchez. The market site was situated on a prominent hill, spanning across what used to be the city’s eastern boundary.

Natchez MS Points of Interest Forks-of-the-Road

We visited on a tour hosted by “The Rev”.

Rev’s tours is recommended. The Rev is a Natchez historical encyclopedia!

Natchez Blues Trail POI: FORKS-OF-THE-ROAD

Natchez Blues Trail POI: Forks-of-the-Road

Read more about the FORKS-OF-THE-ROAD.

Natchez Blues Trail POI ROSALIE MANSION & GARDENS
(originally built in the 1820s as a private residence)

In 1716, the French built a fort on the bluffs of Natchez, naming it Rosalie in honor of the Countess of Pontchartrain.
Around 104 years later, a young man named Peter Little came to Natchez from Pennsylvania at the age of seventeen and acquired a piece of this land to construct his home.
At the age of 25, he married Eliza, who was just 14 years old at the time, in what was seen as a marriage for convenience. Their dream house, also called Rosalie, was finished in 1823 and became a source of endless laughter and joy for their children over the years.
Though they never had biological children of their own, Eliza played a vital role in establishing the Natchez Children’s Home in 1816.
Sadly, after enjoying a fulfilling life together for over six decades, Eliza passed away due to yellow fever in 1853.
During the Civil War the mansion was occupied by Union troops who took care to move the owner’s furnishings and belongings to the attic for safe keeping.

Visit Rosalie Mansion and Gardens