How 20th Century Women Helped create the Old Trace

Do you know how 20th century women helped create the Old Trace?

After the Civil War, the Old Trace laid forgotten in some areas. By the early 1900s, there was a push to preserve the Old Trace because of the tremendous amount of history on the old road. The first were Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), perhaps inspired by John Swan’s article in “Everybody’s Magazine” about the Old Trace.

In 1908, Elizabeth Jones, the Mississippi state regent for the DAR, started the movement to trace the route of the Old Trace and urged for the placement of monuments and markers to relate to the history. By 1933, every county the Old Trace passed through had a marker. This act attracted attention to the Old Trace, eventually leading to its designation as the Natchez Trace Parkway in 1938.

These markers are along the Parkway today at various pull offs. Keep your eyes peeled for them during your travels!

Photo: DAR Marker at Old Town Overlook, Milepost 264

NPS Photo/Benjamin, 1967