Overall, Mississippi is pretty safe. But at one time it was actually home to one of the nation’s most dangerous places – Natchez Under-the-Hill. Once referred to as the “resort of the damned,” the most dangerous district in Mississippi was full of bars, brothels, gaming establishments, and some of the nation’s worst outlaws. Read on to learn more about Natchez Under-the-Hill and its history as one of the rowdiest and most dangerous places in Mississippi. So whether you’re wondering, “Is Natchez Mississippi safe” or simply looking to learn more about one of the most historically dangerous places in Mississippi, you’ll find the following article insightful.

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Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Natchez Under-the-Hill is now a popular destination. Full of restaurants, a few souvenir shops, and plenty of places to take in the Mighty Mississippi, it’s a far cry from what it once was.
louisianadigitallibrary.org
Just as the name implies, Natchez Under-the-Hill sits beneath a 200-foot bluff that houses the city of Natchez, which is consistently revered as one of the best small towns to visit in Mississippi. The area grew exponentially in the early 1800s, as steamboats became more popular and trade opened on the Mississippi River. At its peak, it included about 20 houses, businesses, and warehouses. And for quite some time, it was the busiest port between Ohio and New Orleans.
louisianadigitallibrary.org
Shipments were constantly coming to and leaving the port. However, it wasn’t only things like cotton, coal, and molasses that made their way to Natchez on those steamboats. Drunks, bandits, murderers, and other criminals flocked to the area, which was full of brothels, bars, and gaming establishments.
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Known as a "playground for the despicable, dastardly, and debauched," the area was soon home to the worst of the worst. Violent crimes, including fights, muggings, shootings, and murders, were the norm.
Louis Joseph Bahin/wikimedia
John Murrell was one of the area’s most notorious bandits. The longtime criminal would sell a slave over and over, stealing him back after each sale. Murrell would repeat the scam until the slave became too well known at which point he would kill him and start all over again with a new slave.

The Harpe Brothers, who have gained notoriety as the country’s first serial killers, also called the area home. The psychotic duo had a reputation for torturing, mutilating, and robbing unsuspecting individuals. It’s estimated they killed more than 40 men, women, and children.
Historic American Buildings Survey/Wikimedia
Though located a mere 200 feet away, the city of Natchez was nothing like the rowdy river port below. The portion of the city situated atop the bluff was full of millionaires and mansions. Eventually, the city’s elite grew tired of the area and its sordid reputation.
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Hoping to get rid of the criminal activity in the district, the Natchez town council enacted a restrictive tax of $10 per flatboat in November 1837. Although the area’s boatmen didn't go down without a fight, this was the beginning of the end of Natchez Under-the-Hill.
Visit Mississippi/Flickr
Visit Natchez Under-the-Hill today, and you’ll find just one row of restored buildings. There is little evidence of the area’s importance as a port or its dark and infamous past.

So, did you know about “naughty Natchez” or its reputation as one of the most dangerous places in Mississippi? Heard other tales about its sordid history? Tell us!

This historic district in Mississippi isn’t the only place you can revisit the past. There are lots of places to soak up history in Mississippi, including the nearly abandoned village of Nitta Yuma.

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Most Dangerous District In Mississippi

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How has Mississippi changed over the years?

Many once-thriving small towns are now considered to be ghost towns.

Natchez Under-the-Hill isn’t the only area in Mississippi that has changed drastically over the years. There are several others, including Rodney. Now the state’s most infamous ghost town, Rodney, which is located in Jefferson County, was once a thriving community – complete with dozens of banks, stores, and two newspapers. The changing course of the Mississippi River combined with a couple of severe fires and two yellow fever epidemics led to Rodney’s demise. Today, all that’s left of Rodney is a few dilapidated buildings. Not surprisingly, the eerily abandoned town has attracted countless visitors over the years.

Rocky Springs is another famous Mississippi ghost town that’s changed greatly over the years. Located near Port Gibson, just off the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Rocky Springs site includes a church, cemetery, other abandoned remnants, and informative signage. A trail winds through the former town, making it easy to explore the grounds and learn all about Rocky Springs.

What are the most beautiful places in Mississippi?

Some of the most beautiful places in Mississippi include:

  • Windsor Ruins
  • Doyle Arm
  • Cypress Swamp
  • Dunn's Falls

 

Sometimes, the most historic places in Mississippi are also among the most beautiful places in Mississippi. That’s certainly the case with Windsor Ruins. The site, which contains the remains of the largest antebellum Greek Revival-style mansion ever built in the state, has topped numerous “best of” lists and is often revered as one of the state’s most stunning sites. The ruins consist of just 29 columns; however, they’re accompanied by a photo and informative signage to help paint a vivid picture of the opulent structure that once stood on the grounds. Located just off the Natchez Trace Parkway in Port Gibson, the Windsor Ruins are free to visit and open to the public during daylight hours.

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