Legends and Mysteries of the Natchez Trace
The 444-mile stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway takes travelers through 3 states: Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Along the route, you’ll be winding through thousands of years of American history. In addition to its rich history and beautiful scenery, the Trace is also home to dozens of legends, which is why it is often referred to as “the mysterious pathway.”
As the weather turns cold and the trees slowly start to lose their leaves, the Trace becomes the perfect place to explore. With Halloween approaching, it is a great time to discover the tales and legends the Parkway holds.
From tales of buried treasure and ghost stories to outlaws and witches, there is so much to learn. Here’s your guide to a few legends and mysteries you can find while traveling the Natchez Trace.
The Mysterious Death of Meriwether Lewis
Meriwether Lewis had a diverse range of ventures, including serving as a diplomat, explorer, scientist, governor, soldier, and the official leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Often referred to as “undoubtedly the greatest pathfinder this country has ever known.” Meriwether’s cause of death is unknown, making it a great mystery.
There have always been questions about whether Lewis committed suicide or was murdered. Mrs.Grinder had said she heard pacing, strange mumbling, and then gunshots, which made her too scared to investigate. Even though most historians today accept that Lewis took his own life, a conspiracy is still talked about.
The Vicious Harpes, the First American Serial Killers
Micaja “Big” Harpe and Wiley “Little” Harpe were murderous outlaws who committed their crimes in Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Mississippi in the late 1700s. Earning the title of being the United States’ first documented serial killers, this legend takes you through the Harpes’ crime spree, where they killed over 40 men, women, and children.
With the amount of violence that the Vicious Harpes caused, a ghostly legend is now attached to Micjah “Big” Harpe. After traveling along the Natchez Trace Parkway, Big Harpe returned to Kentucky, where he was later tracked down and killed in August 1799. They decapitated him and placed his head in a tree. The skull was rumored to have been removed by a witch, ground into powder, and used as a potion to heal a relative. The legend started to be told, and many swore they could hear cackling laughter in nearby trees and bushes.
Confederate Graves on the Old Natchez Trace in Mississippi
Remains of unknown Civil War soldiers are buried throughout the nation. Most soldiers who fought for the Union lie in National Military cemeteries, whether they were known or not. The case is very different for the Confederates. The Union began to create cemeteries for those who fought on behalf of the U.S. and started moving them. But when stumbling upon the Confederate bodies, they were buried where they were found. Private organizations in the South became responsible for the Confederate reburials.
Multiple Confederate cemeteries were established, but the majority of soldiers remain in their initial burial sites. With most Confederate burial sites being located near battlefield sites, there is a huge mystery as to why 13 Confederate soldiers were buried beneath the Natchez Trace, which was 6 miles away from the closest battlefield. The mystery of who these men were, why they were on the Old Trace, and how they died will forever be a legend.
Plan Your Trip Along the Trace this Halloween
Spend your spooky season exploring the legends and mysteries along the Natchez Trace. Tales of cackling witches and paranormal events are some of the many legends people speak about today. As you plan your trip, don’t forget to explore beyond the scenery and American history; you never know what amazing tale you’ll hear along the Trace.
