HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
Dedicated July 1, 1894. First Catholic church in the Mississippi valley with the entire congregation of Afro-American descent. Its school has been continually education youth since 1890.

Location:  Natchez

16 Orange avenue
 
 
ZION CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH
Acquired 1868 by Zion Chapel whose minister Hiram R. Revels became the first black U.S. Senator and the first president of Alcorn State University. Originally built 1858 as the second Presbyterian Church. 

Location:  Natchez

Southwest corner of intersection of N. Pine and Jefferson Streets

 
 
SEARGENT S. PRENTISS (1808-1850)
S. ½ mi. is grave of orator & statesman who cam from Maine to Natchez in 1827 & won  fame in law & politics, serving with distinction in legislature & in congress.

Location:  Natchez

South side of Hwy 84 at intersection with Lower Woodville Road

 

 
 
GLOUCESTER CEMETERY
Here are buried the families of Winthrop Sargent, 1st Gov. of the Mississippi Territory, and Sergeant S. Prentiss, Congressman. “Let no monumental marble deface with its mock dignity the patriot’s grave.”

Location:  Natchez

On Lower Woodville Road about 1/2 mile south of intersection with US 84

 
 
NATCHEZ
First Settled by French 1716-29. Lasting growth came with Britain, 1763-1779, and Spain, 1779-98. Cotton and trade made it commercial and cultural capital of Old South.

Location: Natchez

Bluff Park near pavilion at end of Main Street 

 
 
FT. ROSALIE (FT. PANMURE)
Occupied 1716-circa 1800 by successive French, British, Spanish, and American garrisons during struggle for control of the Miss. River Valley. Nucleus of early settlements in the Natchez District.

Location:  Natchez

Canal Street at rear of Rosalie

 
 
ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL
In 1837 Natchez was designated the See of the Roman Catholic Church in Mississippi. In 1842, Bishop J.M. Chanche began construction of this structure, the only church built as a cathedral in Mississippi.

Location:  Natchez

Northeast corner at intersection of Main and Union Streets

 
 
NATCHEZ CITY CEMETERY
Established in 1822 on a ten acre tract. This cemetery grew into a park notable for its variety of 19th century iron and marble work. People from all walks of life are buried within the cemetery.

Location:  Cemetery Road at cemetery's main gate; adjacent to Weymouth Hall
 

 
 
NATCHEZ-UNDER-THE-HILL PARK
In 1776 British W. Fla. Governor Peter Chester ordered a town established under the Natchez Bluffs. This park, a Natchez Bicentennial project, was dedicated April 4, 1976, to celebrate the birth of the nation & town.

Location:  Natchez

Marker is in storage

 
 
WASHINGTON CAMPGROUND (1804-1847)
Site of the first Methodist camp meeting in state, Dec. 14-17, 1804. Led by Learner Blackman, Nathan Barnes, Lorenzo Dow, and Randal Gibson.

Location:  Washington

Hwy 61 at Washington Methodist Church

 
 
JEFFERSON MILITARY COLLEGE
N. 200 yd. Founded 1802. Mississippi’s oldest school. Received the first charter to be conferred for any purpose by legislature of Mississippi Territory.

Location:  Washington

US Hwy61

 
 
WASHINGTON
Territorial capital 1802-17. Statehood constitutional convention held here in 1817. Legislature met here until 1820. During its great days, it was known as the “Versailles” of the Territory.

Location:  Washington

North side of US 61 at entrance to Jefferson College

 
 

DR. JOHN W. MONETTE
Scientist-historian (1803-51). Lived ¼ mi. S.E. Research on yellow fever brought first quarantine in Old S.W. at Natchez, 1844. Author of scholarly book on the discovery and settlement of Mississippi Valley.

Location:  Washington

North Side of US 61 at entrance to Jefferson College

 
 
ANDREW JACKSON AT WASHINGTON
Here on April 22, 1815, over 200 citizens of the Old Natchez District entertained General Andrew Jackson on his return from the victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815.

Location:  Natchez

North Side of US 61 Alternate at entrance to Jefferson College 

 
 
OLD WASHINGTON CEMETERY
2 block NE on site of original plantation donated by John Foster for town of Washington. Oldest gravestone dated 1811. Buried here are members of many early families.

Location:  Washington

(Marker is missing)

South side of Hwy 61, east of intersection with Hwy 84

 
 
CLEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
Here, Dec. 24, 1836, Miss. Baptist Convention was reorganized under President Ashley Vaughn of Natchez. Contained 122 churches, 56 clergy, & 4287 members.

Location:  Washington

Old US 84. 3 miles east of the intersection with US Hwy 61

 
 
ELIZABETH FEMALE ACADEMY
First school for women chartered by Mississippi Legislature located here. Elizabeth Roach led in organization. School was important from 1818-1843.

Location:  Washington

Old Hwy 84. 0.1mile east of Washington corp. limits.

 
 
COMMERCIAL BANK BUILDING
Built ca.1836, this structure, a National Historical Landmark, is a fine example of the Greek Revival style. A Banker’s House attached to the rear insured security & gives the structure an unusual and practical plan.

Location:  Natchez

206 Main Street

 
 
KINGSTON  The Jersey Settlement
E. 8 mi. Settled, 1773 by Ft. Jersey pioneers led by Richard & Samuel Swayze. Latter formed Congregational church, reputedly the first Protestant church in state.

Location:  Natchez

East of hwy 61 at intersection with Kingston Road, 3.7 miles south of intersection of Hwy 61 and 84

 
 
KINGSTON
S.E. mile is site of Old Jersey Settlement now known as Kingston. Here original settlers from New Jersey organized first Protestant church in Mississippi with Samuel Swayze as pastor.

Location:  Kingston

On Kingston Road 9.2 miles southwest of intersection with US Hwy 61 in front of Methodist Church

 

 
 
JERSEY SETTLERS
Erected, 1968, by descendants of the New Jersey Settlers Organization (formed 1940) in memory of settlers of 1772 & their descendants who rest in Caleb King & Daniel Farrar Cemetery, Kingston Plantation.

Location:  Kingston

On Kingston Road 9.2 miles southwest of intersection with US Hwy 61 in front of Methodist Church

 
 
JERSEY SETTLERS
Erected, 1968, by Descendants of the New Jersey Settlers Organization (formed 1940) in memory of settlers of 1772, including Captain Amos Ogden, The Swayzes, Thorns & others now rest in the Kinston Cemetery.

Location:  Kingston

On Kingston Road 9.2 miles southwest of intersection with US Hwy 61 in front of Methodist Church

 

 
 
ANDREW MARSCHALK
Site of the printery of “father of Mississippi journalism.” Printed first book in state, 1799. Became first public printer and in 1802 founded famed newspaper, “Mississippi Herald.”

Location:  Natchez

Franklin and North Wall Streets

 
 
SITE OF BANK OF MISSISSIPPI
Chartered in 1809 as the only bank in Mississippi Territory and given a monopoly as the official state bank in 1818. It occupied this site in 1826 but was supplanted by Planters’ Bank in 1831. Closed solvent.

Location:  Natchez

334 Main Street

 
 
NATCHEZ TRACE
Deep cut here is part of famed Indian trail taken over by U.S., 1803. Until the coming of steamboats, it was post route & chief artery of travel between Natchez & Nashville.

Location:  Natchez

South side of Hwy 61 at intersection with Natchez Trace Parkway

 
 
THE JAMES BOWIE SANDBAR FIGHT (3.2 miles ESE of this point)
This incident occurred on Sept. 19, 1827, on a sand beach on the eastern shore of the Mississippi. Begun as a formal duel, it soon devolved into a Wild West gun and knife fight. James Bowie, one of 13 men from La. Involved, though severely wounded and armed only with a knife, killed one opponent, wounded another, and became a legend almost overnight.

Location: Giles Island

3.2 miles west southwest of Site in Giles Island

 

 
 
THE FOREST PLANTATION
Home and grave of William Dunbar (1749-1810). Scot settler who surveyed the boundary line between USA and Spain-1798 and led 1st exploration of LA Purchase 1804. World-famed scientist and inventor in Miss. Territory.

Location:  Natchez

US Hwy 61, 5.1 miles south of intersection with US Hwy 84

 
 
PINE RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Oldest Presbyterian Church in S.W. Organized Feb, 25, 1807 as Salem Church. Here, Mar. 6, 1816, Mississippi Presbytery was formed. Name changed in 1827 to Pine Ridge Church.

Location:  Pine Ridge

West side of State Hwy 555 at its intersection with State Hwy 554

 
 
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Congregation organized in 1817. The Sanctuary was built in 1828-29 and enlarged in 1851. The Romanesque revival rear addition was built in 1900 in honor of Joseph Stratton, Pastor, 1843-1903. The church and its companion manse on South Rankin Street are two of the finest Federal style buildings in Mississippi.

Location:  Natchez

Pearl and State Streets

 

 
 
RICHARD N. WRIGHT
Noted African-American author of Native Son and Black Boy was born in 1908 near Natchez, where he spent his early childhood. His lifelong quest for freedom led him to Paris, France, where he died in 1960.

Location:  Natchez

At childhood home site at 20 E. Woodlawn Street

 
 
RICHARD WRIGHT
Childhood home of noted American author Richard Wright, while he lived with grandparents Richard and Margaret Wilson in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Author of Native Son and Black Boy, Wright was born outside Natchez in rural Adams County in 1908. His lifelong quest for freedom led him to Paris, France, where he died in 1960.

Location:  Natchez

On Natchez Bluffs Park

 

 
 
KING’S TAVERN (BLEDSOE HOUSE)
Oldest building in Natchez. Standing before 1789. Operated as a tavern, stage stop, and a mail station at the end of Natchez Trace. Now owned and restored by the Pilgrimage Garden of Natchez.

Location:  Natchez

611 Jefferson Street

 
 
MISSISSIPPI The Magnolia State
Explored, 1540-41 by DeSoto. Colonized first by French, 1699. Became a colony of British, 1763; Spanish, 1779. Territory organized by U.S., 1798. Became 20th state, 1817.

Location:  Natchez

South side of Hwy 84, 0.7 mile southeast of intersection with Business Hwy 84, Natchez-Vidalia Bridge

 
 
FORKS OF THE ROAD
Site of the South’s second largest slave market in the 19th century. Enslaved people were also once sold on city streets and at the landing at Natchez Under The Hill. Natchez slaves were freed in July, 1863, when Union troops occupied the city. The Forks of the Road Market then became a refuge for hundreds of emancipated people.

Location:  Natchez 

At intersection of Liberty Road and D'Evereaux Drive

 

 
 
JEFFERSON STREET METHODIST CHURCH
This was the first Methodist congregation in Natchez formed in the early 1800s, and the 1st building was constructed in 1807. The 1st Sunday School south of Philadelphia, Pa., was organized here in 1829.

Location:  Natchez

304 Jefferson Street

 

 

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