Mount Locust Inn In Mississippi Is One Of The Oldest Structures In The State

Of all the sites along the Natchez Trace Parkway, Mount Locust is definitely among the most interesting. Not only is it one of the oldest buildings in the area, it’s also the only remaining inn on the Trace. Perfectly preserved, a visit to Mount Locust Inn will transport you back to days long gone. Take a look:

Mount Locust is located at milepost 15.5 on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

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Built in the late-1700s, the structure originally served as a home.

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Around the time of its construction, the Natchez Trace was becoming extremely popular as a mode of transportation.

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Because of the growing number of travelers and its close proximity to the Trace, Mount Locust’s owners, Paulina and James Chamberlain, decided to turn the home into an inn.

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Business at the inn flourished until the mid-1820s. After that, Mount Locust operated as a successful cotton plantation until the start of the Civil War.

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In 1954, the National Park Service began restoring the home to its 1820 appearance.

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Visit today, and you’ll find rooms filled with period-appropriate furnishings and decorations.

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Mount Locust is open daily and can be toured free of charge.

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You can either tour the historic home on your own or take part in a guided tour.

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Either way, you’ll undoubtedly be fascinated by the intricate details as you walk through the historic structure.

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Each and every room is brimming with interesting artifacts.

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Aside from the structure itself, there’s plenty more to see at Mount Locust, including the Ferguson-Chamberlain Cemetery.

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There’s also a second cemetery on the property, which serves as the final resting place for the slaves who once worked on the plantation.

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While exploring the property, you’ll find signage that provides plenty of information on the history of Mount Locust.

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And you can even walk along the historic Trace, just like American Indians, boatmen, postriders, preachers, soldiers, explorers, and slaves did all those years ago.

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Mount Locust Inn is located at milepost 15.5 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The site, which is free to tour, is open daily (except Christmas day) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the National Park Service website or call (601) 445-4211.

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Looking for some more historic spots in the state? Check out “These 11 Hidden Gems In Mississippi Hold Historic Keys To The Past.”

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