THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI FROM THE BLUFFS OF NATCHEZ
THE GATES OF DUNLEITH
NOLA NANCE OLIVER
Natchez
SYMBOL OF THE OLD SOUTH
HASTINGS HOUSE · PUBLISHERS · NEW YORK
MONTEIGNE—Stairhall
This book is dedicated to Louise and Mary.
Copyright, 1940, by Nola Nance Oliver. Printed in the U. S. A.
Foreword
Natchez derives its name from the sun-worshiping Indian tribe, the Natchez,who were the original owners of the area on which the city is located. It is situatedin Adams county, in the southwestern part of the state of Mississippi, on bluffs200 feet high overlooking the Mississippi River, and is midway between Memphisand New Orleans. It is accessible by railway, steamboat, motor highway and airway.It is particularly proud of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a modern concreteroad over an old Indian trace or trail from Nashville to Natchez. This highway isa link in one of the most important commercial and historic highways in theUnited States reaching from Washington, D. C., to Mexico.
Today Natchez is a recognized center of interest because in the city and itsvicinity there are a greater number of original ante-bellum mansions than inany other community in America—some 75 or more.
Natchez is the second oldest town in the United States, being next in age toSt. Augustine, Florida. It has lived under five different flags, each of which contributedromantic flavor to the section. From 1714 to 1763 it was under the flagof France; from 1764 to 1780 under the flag of England; and from 1780 to 1798under the flag of Spain. In 1798 the first United States flag in the Lower MississippiValley was raised in Natchez. Years after the raising of the “stars andstripes”, another flag which some call “the conquered banner”, the beloved flagof the Confederate States of America, floated over Natchez, 1861-’65.
Natchez “Under the Hill” applies to that part of the town along the waterfront and under the bluffs. It flourished during the heyday of steamboating on theMississippi. The inroads of the river have washed away the streets, and only a fewbuildings remain. One very interesting home, “Magnolia Vale”, has been preservedand is presented in this book.
The majority of these old homes contain original pieces of furniture, china,coin silver service, draperies, carpets, wall decorations of exquisite workmanship,huge mirrors in massive goldleaf frames, paintings bearing authentic signaturesof