Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez, Mississippi
City
The historic Melrose estate, at Natchez National Historic Park, an example of the city's antebellum plantation-era Greek Revival architecture The historic Melrose estate, at Natchez National Historic Park, an example of the city's antebellum plantation-era Greek Revival architecture
Location of Natchez in Adams County
Country	United States
State	Mississippi
County	Adams
Founded	1716 as Fort Rosalie, renamed by 1730
Area
• Total	13.9 sq mi (35.9 km2)
• Land	13.2 sq mi (34.2 km2)
• Water	0.6 sq mi (1.7 km2)
Elevation	217 ft (66 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	18,464
• Density	1,398.3/sq mi (539.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	39120-39122
Area code	601
FIPS code	28-50440
GNIS feature ID	0691586
Website	www.natchez.ms.us

Natchez is the county seatTemplate:GR of and the largest city within Adams County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,464. One of Mississippi's oldest cities, it was founded in 1716, predating the current capital city — Jackson — by more than a century. Located along the Mississippi River, Natchez is the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The city is famous in American history for its role in the development of the Old Southwest, particularly with respect to its location on the Mississippi River.

Natchez is the principal city of the Natchez, Mississippi-Louisiana Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Pre-European settlement (to 1716)

Main article: Natchez people

The site of Natchez is the grand ceremonial village of the Natchez tribe (pronounced "Nochi"), who had occupied the site in a culture that was unbroken since the 8th century, according to archaeological finds. Their society was divided into nobles and commoners according to matrilineal descent. The Natchez chief, the "Great Sun" owed his position to the rank of his mother.

The flat-topped ceremonial mounds built by the Natchez show the influence of moundbuilding cultures to the north in the Middle Mississippi River Valley (see Mississippian culture). At Natchez the Grand Village of the Natchez is preserved as a National Historic Landmark, and nearby Emerald Mound, an earlier ceremonial center, may be seen near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Colonial history (1716-1783)

In 1716 the French founded Fort Rosalie, an outpost in the Natchez territory. French settlements and plantations were subsequently established. The French inhabitants of the "Natchez colony" often found themselves in conflict with the Natchez, who were increasingly split into pro-French and pro-English factions. After several smaller wars the Natchez launched a final war in November 1729 (the "Natchez War"), wiping out the French colony at Natchez. On November 28, 1729, the Natchez Indians killed 138 Frenchmen, 35 French women, and 56 children (the largest death toll by an Indian attack in Mississippi's history). Counterattacks by the French and their Indian allies over the next two years resulted in most Natchez Indians being killed, enslaved, or forced to flee as refugees. Many of the refugees ultimately became part of the Creek and Cherokee nations. Descendants of the Natchez diaspora survive as the Natchez Nation, a treaty tribe and confederate of the federally recognized Muscogee (Creek) Nation with a sovereign traditional government . Subsequently, Fort Rosalie, which was renamed after the extinguished tribe, spent periods under Spanish, and British colonial rule before being ceded to the United States under the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1783). A census of the Natchez district taken in 1784 counted 1,619 people, including 498 African-American slaves.

Under the early republic (1783-1860)

"The Parsonage", Historic house in Natchez, Mississippi.

In the late 18th century Natchez was the starting point of the Natchez Trace overland route, which ran from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee through what is now Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Flatboatmen and keelboatmen (locally called "Kaintucks" because they were usually from what is now Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana) who floated their produce downriver, often sold their wares at Natchez, including their boats as lumber, then made the trek back north overland.

On October 27, 1795, the Spanish signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo, by which Natchez was surrendered to the United States. In 1798, when the Mississippi Territory was created by the Adams administration, Natchez became its capital. After 19 years as territorial capital, on 10 December 1817, Natchez became the first capital of the state of Mississippi. Though the capital was shifted to the more-centrally-located city of Jackson in 1822, over the course of the 19th century, Natchez became a town of strategic economic importance, due to its location on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, developing into a bustling port for steamboats. At Natchez, many local cotton plantation owners loaded their cotton onto steamboats at the landing known Natchez-Under-the-Hill [1]and transported their wares downriver to New Orleans or sometimes upriver to St. Louis, Missouri or Cincinnati, Ohio, where the cotton would be sold and transported to Northern spinning mills.

The Natchez region, along with the Sea Islands of South Carolina, pioneered cotton agriculture in the United States. Until new hybridized breeds of cotton were created in the early 19th century, it was uneconomical to grow cotton in the United States anywhere other than these two areas. Although South Carolina came to dominate the cotton plantation culture of much of the Antebellum South, it was the Natchez District that experimented with hybridization, making the cotton boom possible.

On May 7, 1840, an intense tornado struck Natchez. This tornado killed 269 persons in Natchez, most of whom were on flatboats in the Mississippi River. The tornado killed 317 persons in all, making it the second deadliest tornado in United States history. This tornado is today known as the "Great Natchez Tornado."

The terrain around Natchez on the Mississippi side of the river is rather hilly. The city sits on a high bluff above the Mississippi river and in order to reach the riverbank one must travel down a steep road to the landing called Silver Street. This is in marked contrast to the flat lowland found across the river surrounding the city of Vidalia, Louisiana. Natchez is known for its many Antebellum mansions and estates, built by 19th century plantation owners, who would often own farmland in Louisiana but locate their homes on the higher ground in Mississippi. Prior to the Civil War, Natchez had the most millionaires per capita of any city in the United States due to the large number of plantation owners who owned land across the Mississippi River but dwelt in large mansions in Natchez, making it arguably the wealthiest city in the nation at the time. Today the city boasts that it has more antebellum houses than anywhere else in the United States, partly due to the fact that during the American Civil War Natchez was spared the destruction of many other Southern cities, such as Vicksburg.

American Civil War (1861-1865)

During the Civil War, Natchez remained largely undisturbed, but not entirely. Natchez surrendered to Flag-Officer David G. Farragut after the fall of New Orleans in May 1862. In September, 1863, the Union ironclad USS Essex, under Capt. William D. Porter shelled the town and did minor damage but killed a seven year old girl. Union troops under Ulysses S. Grant occupied Natchez in 1863; Grant set up his temporary headquarters in the Natchez mansion Rosalie. Confederate army forces attempted to recapture Natchez in December 1863 but did not attack the town itself because the C.S.A. forces were outnumbered.

Like almost everywhere else in the United States, numerous Natchez residents did in fact fight or participate otherwise in the war and many families lost their antebellum fortunes. The fact that the town was largely spared the horrors of the war is illustrated by the legend of the Battle of Natchez. According to this story, Union troops were being housed in Natchez, civilians and regular bar owners gathered at the river landing to watch Union gunboats travel the Mississippi River from Vicksburg down to New Orleans. In one passing, a Union gunboat fired a blank from a canon to rile up the Union troops at Fort Rosalie. This caused an elderly man to have a heart attack at Under the Hill–the one casualty in the Battle of Natchez.

Despite the city's relatively peaceful atmosphere under Union occupation, Natchez residents remained somewhat defiant of the Federal authorities. In 1864, the Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Natchez, William Henry Elder, refused to obey a Federal order to compel his parishioners to pray for the President of the United States. In response, the Federals arrested Elder, convicted him, and jailed him briefly across the river in Vidalia, Louisiana. Eventually Elder was released and returned to his duties until 1880, when he was elevated to archbishop of Cincinnati.

Postwar period (1865-present)

Mississippi river bridge near Natchez

Natchez was able to make a rapid economic comeback in the postwar years, as much of the commercial traffic on the Mississippi River resumed. In addition to cotton, the development of local industries like logging added to the exports through the city's wharf. In return, Natchez saw an influx of manufactured goods from Northern markets like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

The city's prominent place in Mississippi River commerce over the nineteenth century has been illustrated by the nine different steamboats plying the lower river between 1823 and 1918 that were named Natchez, many of which were built for and commanded by the famous Captain Thomas P. Leathers, whom Jefferson Davis had wanted to head the Confederate defense fleet on the Mississippi River, though this never materialized. In 1885, the Anchor Line, known for its sublime luxury steamboats operating between St. Louis and New Orleans, launched its "brag boat," the City of Natchez, though this boat survived only a year before succumbing to a fire at Cairo, Illinois, on 28 December 1886. Since 1975, an excursion steamboat at New Orleans has also borne the name Natchez.

This river commerce sustained the city's economic growth until just after the turn of the twentieth century, when steamboat traffic began to be replaced by the railroads. The city's economy declined over the course of the century, as in many Mississippi towns, although tourism has helped compensate for the decline.

In 1940, 209 people died in a fire at the Rhythm Night Club. This fire has been noted as the fourth deadliest fire in U.S. history.

Geography

Natchez is located at 31°33'16" North, 91°23'15" West (31.554393, -91.387566)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.9 square miles (35.9 km²), of which, 13.2 square miles (34.2 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.7 km²) of it is water. The total area is 4.62% water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 18,464 people, 7,591 households, and 4,858 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,398.3 people per square mile (540.1/km²). There were 8,479 housing units at an average density of 642.1/sq mi (248.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 44.18% White, 54.49% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,591 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 23.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 81.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,117, and the median income for a family was $29,723. Males had a median income of $31,323 versus $20,829 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,868. 28.6% of the population and 25.1% of families were below the poverty line. 41.6% of those under the age of 18 and 23.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Education

Natchez is the home to Alcorn State University's Natchez Campus. The campus is home to the university's nursing school and master's of business administration program. Copiah-Lincoln Community College, also, operates a campus in Natchez.

The city of Natchez and the county of Adams operates one public school system, the Natchez-Adams School District [2]. The district is comprised of eight schools. They are Susie B. West, Morgantown, Gilmer McLaurin, Joseph F Frazier, Robert Lewis Middle School, Central Alternative School, Natchez High School, and Fallin Career and Technology Center.

In Natchez there are a number of private and parochial schools. Trinity Episcopal Day School is PK-12 school founded by the Trinity Episcopal Church. Trinity Episcopal Day School and Adams County Christian School are both members of the Mississippi Private School Association. Cathedral School is also a PK-12 school in the city. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church St. Mary Basilica. Holy Family Catholic School, founded in 1890, is a PK-3 school affiliated with Holy Family Catholic Church.

Transportation

Highways

U.S. Route 61 runs north-south, parallel to the Mississippi River, linking Natchez with Port Gibson, Mississippi, Woodville, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

U.S. Route 84 runs east-west and bridges the Mississippi, connecting it with Vidalia, Louisiana, and Brookhaven, Mississippi.

U.S. Route 65 runs north from Natchez along the west bank of the Mississippi through Ferriday and Waterproof, Louisiana.

U.S. Route 98 runs east from Natchez towards Bude and McComb, Mississippi.

Mississippi Highway 555 runs north from the center of Natchez to where it joins Mississippi Highway 554.

Mississippi Highway 554 runs from the north side of the city to where it joins U.S. Highway 84 northeast of town.

Rail

Natchez is served by rail lines, which today carry only freight.

Air

Natchez is served by the Natchez-Adams County Airport, which services general aviation.

Suburbs

Natchez's surrounding communities include:

• Cloverdale, Mississippi
• Johnsville, Mississippi
• Morgantown, Mississippi
• Kingston, Mississippi
• Vidalia, Louisiana

Famous Natchezians

• Novelist and motivational author Kenneth R. Besser was raised from age 1 in Natchez until his family moved north in 1974.
• Novelist Richard Wright, author of Black Boy and Native Son, was born twenty-two miles east of Natchez.
• Robert H. Adams, former United States Senator from Mississippi.
• William Wirt Adams, Confederate Army officer, grew up in Natchez.
• Troyce Guice, Natchez restaurant owner, was a former candidate for the United State Senate from Louisiana
• Lynda Lee Mead, Miss Mississippi in 1959 and Miss America in 1960. A Natchez city street, Lynda Lee Drive, is named in her honor.
• It was the birthplace of country singer Mickey Gilley.
• Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin was born in Natchez, but was raised in San Antonio, Texas.
• University of Pittsburgh All-American defensive end Hugh Green was born in Natchez.
• Pro Football Hall of Famer Billy Shaw was born in Natchez.
• Novelist Greg Iles is a Natchez native.
• Glen Ballard, a five-time Grammy Award winning songwriter/producer.
• Denise Gee, national food/home design writer and author of "Southern Cocktails," is a native of Natchez.
• Hound Dog Taylor, a blues singer and slide guitar player.
• Pierre Adolphe Rost, a member of the Mississippi Senate and commissioner to Europe for the Confederate States. Emigrated to Natchez from France.
• Alexander O'Neal, R&B singer.
• Nook Logan, Baseball player for the Washington Nationals. Regarded as one of the fastest players in the majors.
• Anne Moody, Civil Rights activist and author of Coming of Age in Mississippi, attended Natchez Junior College.
• Dwayne Brown, leader of the South Natchez football and baseball teams in the late 60's. Now resides in Lafayette working for the city.
• Olu Dara, musician & father of rapper Nas.
• Political Scientist and Archaeologist Thomas Tolbert was born in Natchez.
• Two-time PBR world champion bull rider Chris Shivers, who was born in Natchez and currently resides in Jonesville, Louisiana.
• Drew Stevens, a local storyteller, now residing in Oxford, MS was born and raised in Natchez.
• Don José Vidal, Spanish Governor of the Natchez District, is buried in the Natchez City Cemetery.

See also

• Great Natchez Tornado
• House on Broadway Street
• Longwood (Natchez, Mississippi)
• Stanton Hall
• Natchez National Historical Park
• Auburn (Natchez, Mississippi)
• Natchez National Cemetery
• Monmouth (Natchez, Mississippi)
• Dunleith
• Arlington (Natchez, Mississippi)
• Melrose (Natchez, Mississippi)
• Commercial Bank and Banker's House
• House on Ellicott's Hill
• Natchez On-Top-of-the-Hill Historic District

References

• Cox, James L. The Mississippi Almanac. New York?: Computer Search & Research, 2001. ISBN 0-9643545-2-7.
• Davis, Jack E. "Race Against Time: Culture and Separation in Natchez Since 1930", Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2001.
• Gandy, Thomas H. and Evelyn. The Mississippi Steamboat Era in Historic Photographs: Natchez to New Orleans, 1870-1920. New York: Dover Publications, 1987.
• Way, Frederick. Way's Packet Dictionary, 1848-1994: Passenger Steamboats of the Mississippi River System Since the Advent of Photography in Mid-Continent America. 2nd ed. Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 1994.

External links

• Official City Website
• History of Natchez's Jewish community (from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life)
• Interactive Map of Natchez Oil Wells Mississippi Oil Journal

• Natchez Library Institute Accounts (MUM00328) at the University of Mississippi.