Natchez Trace Parkway Hot Spots
A hot spot is a place of more than usual interest, activity, or popularity. The Natchez Trace Parkway is the 444-mile scenic, and historical national parkway stretching from Nashville, TN, across north AL to Natchez, MS.
On this page, we showcase one location each month.
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G is for Gordon House, built in 1818, in Tennessee. Four large fireplaces kept the Gordon family comfortable in winter, making it the perfect January feature.
John and Dolly Gordon ran a trading post and ferried travelers by boat across the Duck River in the early 1800s. Their two-story, red brick house still stands today, minus the original wood columns and balcony. The Gordon House is one of only two historic homes remaining from the days of the Old Trace. The Gordon House and ferry boat site is located in Tennessee at Milepost 407.7
(This is a colorized version of the Gordon House illustration in my book, Traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway from A to Z. You may use it as a guide when coloring this page in your copy of the book.)
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A beautiful place to visit during Christmas time is our December feature —
the beautiful, historic Melrose Estate in Natchez, Mississippi.
Melrose Estate is a national, historic landmark, a part of the Natchez National Historical Park. This fine Greek Revival mansion was built in the early 1840s. The original owner was John. T. McMurran, an attorney and owner of multiple plantations. Melrose was his family residence. Christmas dinner in the mansion traditionally included ham, turkey, pie, and plum pudding.
Tours of the grand antebellum house and grounds are available.
(Photo credit: Natchez National Historical Park.Visit their Facebook page for more house photos and historical information.)
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In honor of our beloved, US Veterans, Our November feature is Veterans Park in Collinwood, Tennessee.
This week we honor and thank US Veterans for their service. We’re blessed to have several veterans in our family- my dad, my husband, and our son, David. It’s only fitting that we visit The Wayne County Veterans Park in Tennessee. This special memorial is located at milepost 355, just off the Natchez Trace Parkway in Collinwood, TN. The photo above shows the first of several striking, mural scenes. The memorial park is open to the public year round. It’s a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, and those that served in all branches of our military.
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Just in time for viewing autumn foliage.
This month’s feature is the Old Trace Drive in Tennessee.
The Old Trace Drive begins at milepost 375.8 along the Parkway in Tennessee.. Autumn is the ideal season to take this scenic, tree-lined drive and view autumn’s fine display of colors. This 2.5-mile drive is a one-way jaunt along the Old Trace pathway.
It’s a leisurely drive our family enjoys annually.
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This month’s feature is the Rock Spring Trail in Alabama.
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Our August feature is the Elderberry plant, spotted in Tennessee and Alabama.
Elderberry plants grow wild in ditches, along stream banks and rural roadways along the Parkway and surrounding area. The berries are a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and support immune health. They are often made into medicinal tinctures and syrups and taken as natural remedies for colds and flu symptoms. Birds love eating them too. Harvest elderberries once they darken, as shown in the top cluster in the photograph. Do not ingest the leaves or stems.