The Natchez Trace : A Pictorial History

Rating:
Summary: A Pictorial History of a Scenic Parkway
Review: The Natchez Trace was once a 450 mile highway across a part of the US running from Nashville, Tenn to Natchez, Ms. Before 1820 it was known as the "Path to the Choctow Nation." The French included the Trace in their maps as early as 1733, and many thousands of travelers used it in its heyday from the 1780's to the 1810's.

In 1811 the Roosevelts "plied down the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers from Pittsburg to New Orleans" aboard another piece of Americana, the river boat. In the 1820's the Natchez Trace saw a last hurrah when Andrew Jackson's Military road cut the overland distance to New Orleans by over 200 miles. The Trace had become obselete.

In the 1930's the Natchez Trace Parkway was begun to allow travelers to follow the old Trace from end to end. The Parkway is almost complete now. There are a few miles near Natchez and Jackson where the Parkway has not been completed, but otherwise the Parkway and the Trace are now known as one and the same.

The Parkway is a scenic route. My wife and I traveled the Parkway and reveled in the gorgeous sites. Is there a better way to remember such sites than with a pictorial history? I think not.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent guide to the Trace
Review: We are quasi freqent travelers of The Natchez Trace and have always loved stopping to learn, as we drove this beautiful parkway. We have had several guides, but none come close to the scope of this book. From ancient peoples, up to recent developments along the Trace, this is an easy to read, yet comprehensive history. I highly recommend you take it along as you drive the Trace, I intend to do that very thing later this summer!