Natchez, Mississippi, Is Living History
Founded in the early 1700s by French settlers, Natchez, Mississippi, predates Jackson by more than a century, and it eventually became a hub for wealthy plantation owners as well as other merchants who took to building some of the most opulent antebellum mansions here. Today, many of these structures still stand, attracting tourists and historians looking to step back into an undeniably painful yet architecturally unique past.
Why Natchez Is So Well-Preserved
The city of Natchez is named after the Natchez tribe who lived in the area long before the French arrived, making it one of the oldest inhabited parts of Mississippi. After a series of conflicts in the 1730s between the colonizing French and the Indigenous people, resulting in hundreds of deaths on both sides, the French gained control of the area only to lose it all following the Seven Years’ War with Great Britain.
The British only enjoyed their rule over Natchez for about 20 years before the territory was ceded to the U.S. following the Crown’s defeat in the Revolutionary War. This shift in ownership caused a schism between the U.S. and the Spaniards, the latter of which had taken Natchez from British troops. The U.S. prevailed, however, and the territory became theirs. The area’s economy continued to grow on the backs of its enslaved people, and its well-placed river port made it particularly enticing for traders. In fact, Natchez’s economy was doing so well that it actually had more millionaires than any other city in the U.S. before the Civil War. Despite becoming the center of the Confederacy’s war efforts due to its cotton exports and booming port, much of the city was spared during the Civil War, including its many antebellum mansions. In September of 1862, Confederate forces surrendered the town of Natchez to the Union Army without resistance.
As a result, Natchez was spared much of the destruction that many other prominent Southern cities suffered. This not only helped to preserve the ornate structures therein but also better allowed Natchez to recover economically from the war.
Preserving Natchez History Today
Today, Natchez’s historic charm and well-preserved structures have been a draw for tourists — some of which are traveling the famed Natchez Trace Parkway — and historians alike. Not surprisingly, then, it’s currently home to organizations such as the Historic Natchez Foundation, the Natchez Historical Society, and the Preservation Society of Ellicott Hill, all of which operate to help preserve local historic properties. As if that weren’t enough, Natchez currently has over 1,000 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Notable Properties of Natchez
Every year, over 20 private homes are on tour during the Natchez Spring Pilgrimage of Antebellum Homes from March through early April. If you or your clients prefer to visit outside of this window, many properties can be toured year round, including:
The Ellicott House - Built in 1798, the Ellicott House is one of the last 18th-century merchant homes in the area. Famed American land surveyor, Andrew Ellicott, raised the American flag here to defy Spain.
Rosalie Mansion - Built in 1823, this impressive mansion was once the area’s Union Army headquarters, and it possesses a very unique free-standing spiral staircase.
Stanton Hall - Built in 1857, Stanton Hall is a stately Greek Revival that’s filled with historically accurate antiques.
Henderson-Britton Mansion - Built in 1858, this home also serves a wonderful example of Greek Revival architecture that was popular at the time.
Longwood Mansion - Built in 1860, the Longwood Mansion is actually the largest octagonal home in the nation.
Of course, that’s just to name a few stunning spots. Natchez is home to over 1,000 historic properties that are definitely worth saving.
Historic Properties and Preservation
By owning a historic home, you not only own a slice of history but also enjoy a slew of additional benefits. To begin, the home is unique in that builders aren’t likely to recreate that particular style of architecture when constructing new builds. Next, historic homes are often in very desirable locations — which is why they’re likely still standing. They also tend to sell faster and fetch higher asking prices than your run-of-the-mill property. Lastly, homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places are oftentimes eligible for tax credits, grant money, and preservation loans if they meet certain rehabilitation standards. As always, check with both federal and state agencies or preservation networks to see if you or your client can help save a piece of the past with your next property purchase.
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The content provided on this website is deemed accurate at the time of creation.
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