A Natchez resident replied to our compliments on her beautiful city: “That is what happens if you surrender instead of fighting like Vicksburg did - you preserve your history.” The difference between the two towns is striking. Only about 75 miles apart, both on the banks of the Mississippi River, Vicksburg appears to not yet be fully recovered from the Civil War, while Natchez is quite attractive and seems prosperous.
The National Park consists of six sections: Forks of the Road, Fort Rosalie, Melrose, the William Johnson House, the Natchez Visitor Center, and the preservation district. We toured the grounds at Melrose, an 1840’s plantation home. 2020 protocols closed most of the indoor sites including the Johnson House and Forks of the Road. The main VC was partially open. By the time we arrived at Fort Rosalie, walking the grounds was out due to very heavy rain.
his was our second visit to Natchez but the first to the National Park sites. We did explore a beautiful & historic private home, Rosalie, near the fort of the same name. Well done. There are 8 National Register of Historic Places districts and 13 national historic landmarks inside the city. We look forward to seeing them when indoor touring is available.
We camped at a Boondocker Welcome site a bit north of Jackson, MS, right along the Natchez Trace.
Cadillac’s Viewpoint: Big plus is being right on a river and the houses had appropriate ceilings for my lovely antlers but no stops for lattes or ice cream. Cadillac’s Elevation 3.5 Antlers
William Johnston House
The fort grounds