Explore Thousands Of Years Of History And A Historic Cemetery On The Grindstone Ford Trail In Mississippi

The Natchez Trace Parkway is lined with many amazing historic sites. Some, like Windsor Ruins, are extremely well known. Then there are others that are a bit more obscure but boasting just as much history as their more popular counterparts. Grindstone Ford is definitely the latter. At one time, the area was considered the end of civilization. Today, it’s home to a long-forgotten cemetery and a trail, so you can easily explore it. Take a look:

Situated at milepost 45.7 on the Natchez Trace Parkway, Grindstone Ford is in Port Gibson.

The Mangum Indian Mound is also located at milepost 45.7, so you can easily stop at both sites during your visit.

Around 1790 up until 1840, the Trace was lined with “stands” or inns, like Mount Locust (pictured).

The stands were located about 20 miles apart – the distance travelers were expected to travel in a day’s time.

The Grindstone Ford area was once home to a stand owned by Daniel Burnett.

A pretty significant figure, Burnett was the speaker of the Territorial House of Representatives and a principal negotiator with the Choctaws.

But it wasn’t Burnett’s political status that made his stand so important. It was the fact that it bordered the Bayou Pierre River, which at the time, was known as the end of civilization.

Venturing past the stand at Grindstone Ford meant travelling into the Choctaw Nation.

Today, you can easily explore the area via the Grindstone Ford Loop Trail.

Perfect for all ages and skill levels, the trail is just ½ mile long.

Offering a firsthand glimpse into the past, the trail includes a portion of the original Trace.

The Old Trace, as it’s often referred to, features "sunken" sections, which are the result of countless people, animals, and wagons treading on the pathway for so long.

Just off the Grindstone Ford Loop Trail, you’ll find another short trail, which leads to an old graveyard – the Burnett family cemetery.

Rather small, the cemetery includes only a handful of graves, which are sporadically scattered about.

The headstones date back to the 1800s – and, sadly, their age is evident. Several have toppled over or are damaged.

Learn more about this historic spot here.

Have you ever visited Grindstone Ford? If so, what’d you think? Tell us in the comments section.