Posted in Mississippi
January 08, 2018
This Historic District In Mississippi Was One Of The Most Dangerous Places In The Nation In The 1800s
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,” it 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 river ports in the country.
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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.
Just as the name implies, Natchez Under-the-Hill sits beneath a 200’ bluff that houses the city of Natchez. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Though located a mere 200’ 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.
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 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?” Heard other tales about its sordid history? Tell us in the comments section!
Learn about another interesting piece of history in “Explore This Abandoned Mississippi Village For A Glimpse Back In Time.“
