Then and Now - Protection and Preservation

An archival photo of the Old Trace section at Rocky Springs.

NPS Photo

The Natchez Trace Parkway is tasked with preserving and protecting an important part of our nation's history along with a unique ecological corridor.

 

Old Trace Drive, milepost 375.8 in Tennessee

Left image
Old Trace Drive (Laurel Hill Road) sometime in the 1940s.
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Old Trace Drive after being protected for 70 years
Credit: NPS Photo / Jane Farmer

The Old Trace in Tennessee is not as sunken as other sections of Old Trace. The soil is closer to the bedrock and soil structure is more firm than the soft soils of southern Mississippi. Trails branched off from the Old Trace, so the farther north from Natchez, the less feet there were pounding the soils.

This drive will take you up a ridge on a slow one way road. If you are unable to walk the Old Trace, this will help you experience what it was like to travel here hundreds of years ago. This is one of two sections of the Old Trace that can be driven. The other section is at the Tobacco Barn, milepost 401.4. 

Here you can compare images that show the Old Trace Drive when the Parkway was being established with what it looks like today. 

 

 

Tupelo, Mississippi: Compare the Battle of Harrisburg/Tupelo with the Modern City

Left image
Historic Battlefield Map
Credit: Library of Congress

Right image
Tupelo, MS - Red Box is Tupelo National Battlefield
Credit: Web Screen Capture

Our commemorative site for the Battle of Tupelo, also known as the Battle of Harrisburg, is on a very small plot of land, in the middle of the Tupelo city (indicated by the red square). The town grew up on the battlefield site. A narrow pull off provides parking. You can learn more about the Battle of Tupelo at our website.

 

 

John Gordon House

Left image
Gordon House restored to original
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Gordon House in 1945, remodeled by previous owners.
Credit: NPS Photo /McCormick

Although the 1945 photo of the Gordon House is more nostalgic, the current structure more likely represents the original state of the house. Built in 1818, perhaps a one-story front porch led to the entrances into the large hall-room on the left, and the parlor on the right.

You can learn more about the Gordon House by returning to the menu or access it from this link.