Design - Why Does the Parkway Look Like it Does?

 

The Parkway meanders through forests and farmlands.

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Roadway

Landscape and history dictate the feel of the roadway. It was designed in the 1930s, exclusively for recreational use at moderate speeds. The two-lane roadway is only 22' wide. The Parkway is designed to accommodate the recreational visitors who traveling by automobile, recreational vehicles, motorcycle, bicycles and on foot.

Pull-offs and parking areas are located at natural and historic sites, for visitors to experience the area.

 

A typical bridge carrying a local road over the Parkway.

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Bridges

Two styles of bridges dominate the Parkway experience. Arched bridges allow local roads to cross over the Parkway. Where the Parkway bridges cross over local roads, the bridges have low sides and the supports are partially arched. The arches soften the visual impact of the concrete bridge structure.

The Parkway boasts an award winning bridge. The Double Arch Bridge over Birdsong Hollow gracefully enhances the scenery. You can learn more about that beautiful bridge here.

 

Rock Spring Trail is a Stop on the Alabama Birding Trail

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Trails

A potpourri of hiking trails invites visitors of diverse talents to immerse themselves in the organic scenery. Short walking trails were designed to provide everyone stretch time outside the car. Inviting visitors to connect with the past, well protected trails known as "Old Trace" are the same trails used by American Indians, settlers and European explorers. Other trails are paved for a more refined experience. Equestrians can take a short jaunt, or travel for the whole day, on specific horse trails.

Within the boundaries of the Natchez Trace Parkway, are hiking sections of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. The sections vary from 3 to 27 miles.

 

Homestead houses were built prior to the construction of the Parkway. Part of the depression era's New Deal, they were meant to draw people into communities.

NPS Photo / Ray Pilgrim

Structures

Dating back to heyday of Kaintuck travelers, Mount Locust and John Gordon House are the oldest home structures protected by the Parkway. Lesser known structures like the Tupelo Homestead Houses, now used for Parkway offices, were part of Franklin D Roosevelt's Depression Era, New Deal. These homes were built prior to the designation of the Parkway as a national park unit. Homestead communities invited families to become part of local workforce. Building such as the Parkway Visitor Center, were designed in the Mission 66 style. (see below for some examples of Mission 66 across the national parks.)

Split rail fences, stone retaining walls add to the peaceful ambience of the Parkway.

 

Traditional routed National Park Service sign.

NPS Photo / Sherwood Photography

Signs & Interpreting Parkway Features and Themes

Signage on the Parkway is kept to a minimum to compliment the rural and scenic character of the park. Exhibits, and interpretive signs, provide visitors an "interpretation" of the significance of the history and nature of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Older large wooden signs represent an original quality of a 1930s national park, while modern interpretive wayside signs provide a more modern approach to connecting Parkway visitors.

 

Monument by the Daughters of the American Revolution

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Monuments

The Parkway's monuments are tributes to people of the past. Native American Indians built mounds to honor their ancestors.

The broken shaft at the Meriwether Lewis Site marks the final resting place of that accomplished American.

The Daughters of the American Revolution were instrumental in capturing Congress's attention and launched a campaign to have the Old Trace become a place protected by the National Park Service. They literally marked out the route with monuments in each county along what would become the Natchez Trace Parkway.