Natchez Bluffs and Under-the-Hill Historic District

The Natchez Bluffs and Under-the-Hill Historic District is a 75-acre (30 ha) historic district that was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It is roughly bounded by S. Canal St., Broadway, and the Mississippi River.[1]

Natchez Bluffs and Under-the-Hill Historic District
Photo probably of city park area included in the district
LocationBounded by S. Canal St., Broadway, and the Mississippi River, Natchez, Mississippi
Coordinates31°33′32″N 91°25′36″W
Area75 acres (30 ha)
NRHP reference No.72000685[1]
Added to NRHPApril 11, 1972

The "Under-the-Hill" area once contained all of Natchez, i.e. about 20 buildings at the time of the U.S. revolutionary war. Gradually houses were built on the bluffs above, an "Upper Town" emerged, and eventually the center of Natchez shifted.[2]

1972 pic of Silver St., by Jack Boucher

The district's primary historic assets are the Natchez landing site ("Under the Hill") and, on the bluff above, a city park area which includes the site of the second French Fort Rosalie, built during 1730–34. The landing site area was where the Natchez Trace began. The area was frequented by gamblers, river pirates, highwaymen, and prostitutes and was described, in 1810, as a place such that "'...for the size of it, there is not, perhaps in the world, a more dissipated spot.'"[2]:11 The fort was renamed Fort Panmure by the British after they took possession following the 1756-1763 Seven Years' War, then later fell into ruin. In 1971, the district area included six "dilapidated" brick buildings on Silver Street of uncertain age.[2]

The Fort Rosalie portion of the district is included in the Natchez National Historical Park.

A map delineating the district appears on page 15 in its NRHP nomination document.[2]:15

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Dawn Maddox (August 31, 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Natchez Bluffs and Under-the-Hill Historic District". National Park Service. and accompanying seven photos from 1971-72

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