Natchez Trace State Park 1935-1943:
A Look at the Park's Beginnings

compiled by Brenda Kirk Fiddler

The following articles from the Lexington Progress take a look at the program from which Natchez Trace State Park was to emerge and the beginning of public park services. As the articles show, what we know as Natchez Trace State Park now might not have been. Circa 1938 the area was considered likely to become a National Forest (see It's "Notchy Trace"). Later proposals were considered to turn the park into a military training area or to create a huge Nathan Bedford Forrest Memorial Park extending to Gilbertsville Lake (now known as Kentucky Lake). — David Donahue, January 1999.

April 5, 1935
Lexington Progress

Turning Sub-Marginal Lands Into Forests

Washington, April 1. - The Federal Emergency Relief Administration today announced purchase of 10,000 acres of land in Henderson County, Tenn., to be turned into forests and a demonstration ground for uses of submarginal land. Options on 57 tracts have been accepted. Plans for the project has been drawn up by the land policy section of AAA.

Conditions similar to those found on the Henderson County Project area are in evidence throughout a large problem area, comprising approximately 2,000,000 acres in the Western part of Tennessee, it was announced. Once an important forest area, the land has been subjected to severe erosion subsequent to its clearing and cultivation.

The necessity for carrying out a change in land use methods in this area is demonstrated not only by the serious erosion but also by inability of the land to support the present population upon a satisfactory standard of living. Poor houses, low incomes and satisfactory food and clothing are among the dependence of these families upon the poor land for a living.

Thirty sample farms studied in the problem area have shown an average return of $173 per year. Fifty-three per cent of the tracts are delinquent.

The purpose of the land is directed not only to the conservation land resources of the state, but also to the rehabilitation of the families now living on these infertile sites. The present residents of the area will be aided in relocation elsewhere under more favorable circumstances, and if necessary, will receive financial aid from the Tennessee Rural Rehabilitation Corporation.

The foregoing article appeared in the Monday's edition of the Memphis Press -Scimitar.

The offices and personnel of the department mentioned above have been located in Lexington since the past November 1934. The offices were first opened in the county Court House but have since been moved to the rooms in the Brown Building over the Ford Garage. The original force consisted of three people, but the personnel of the office now numbers 40 with 17 attached to the office in Lexington.

Lexington and Henderson County have been fortunate in being selected as the headquarters for operations of the land Policy Section of the Agriculture Adjustment Administration. Not only has the town benefited by having the money in its midst but it has been fortunate in having such class people put into its social circles as the executives and their assistants in their offices have proven themselves to be.

The county is to receive a greater benefit from this program than any amount of dollars and cents. It is to have a very large portion of its sub-marginal land converted into profitable and productive land not for its farmers but for the natural beauty and scenery; that the natural right of any town, county or state is to be conserved in any manner that will be worth more to the people than the mere dollars and cents involved.

Any government policy that tends to convert poor, worn-out land that never has afforded any standards of living into a worthwhile section and at the same time direct its efforts for the rehabilitation of the families in order that they might have a more satisfactory standard living is worth any calculable sum to any town and county.

The local office is under the direction of Mr. G.L. Cleland, State Project Manager, whose assistants are as follows: H.P. Woods, Junior Administrative Assistant; C.J. Bowers, Field Supervisor; Virginia Thomas, Under Clerk; C.R. Williams, Junior Clerk; J.D. Roberts, Junior Clerk; Frank L. Ray, Junior Clerk; Robert Garland, Engineer; Lily McKay Ball, Under Clerk; Herbert L. Slover, Engineer; Charles McGehee, Engineer; Edmund B. Cox, Engineer; Lois Norris, Under Clerk; James Garland, Junior Clerk; J.C. Neely, Engineer: J.A. Holmes. Junior Clerk.

August 9, 1935
Lexington Progress

Three Forest Park Reserves Planned

Nashville, July 31. - Plans for the immediate development of three huge forest parks and game preserves, including one to be used in West Tennessee to be used exclusively by women as a shooting area were being formulated today by Damon Headden, state game protector.

The largest of the new preserves will be a fifty thousand acre tract in Henderson County, which will be developed jointly by the government and the state. The government is now buying up sub-marginal land in Henderson, Chester and Madison Counties for the purposes of rehabilitation, reforestation and establishment of a game preserve.

It is the plan of the government to erect about fifty homes on the tract and establish families to be selected by the game and fish department of the state. Heads of those families would occupy the dual role of game protectors and foresters.

Each family selected would be given a tract of about 20 acres for cultivation, and the game and fish department and the federal government will join in paying $30.00 per month salary to the tenants to supplement the crop. In this manner Mr. Headden anticipates the perfection of one of the most outstanding game and forest preserve and cared for by the resident keepers.

Included in the Henderson County park, 1,000 acres will be set aside to be used exclusively by women hunters. Men will be banned from shooting on the preserve, and will not be allowed to enter it, except in the role of bird dog keepers, gun carriers or photographers. Mr. Headden said he had never heard of a preserve set aside exclusively for women.

Ten thousand acres of the Henderson County tract will be devoted to a general game preserve open to any and all sportsmen. The government is also arranging to set up about fifty lakes within the tract, and stock them with fish. - Commercial Appeal, August 1

July 4, 1936
Lexington Progress

Progress in Resettlement Area

The resettlement area in Henderson, Carroll and Benton Counties was visited this week by Homer H.B. Mark of Raleigh, N.C. regional director of resettlement projects, accompanied by Mrs. Mark and C.B. Farris, assistant director. Dr. Rex G. Tugwell, national director, had been scheduled to make the trip also, but he was recalled to Washington by a telegram which reached him in Nashville.

Payments for land purchases commence next week, and the area has paid more on these contracts than any other region embraced in resettlement work, although it was not started until November 15, 1934, after many of the others were well under way. Payment has been made for 20,000 acres, and contracts have been submitted for a total purchase of 65,000 acres, most of it located in Henderson County of which will bring the former land owners the sum of $455,000.

Many farmers leaving these submarginal lands have found other homes for themselves, and negotiations are now in progress for resettlement for the remaining families, probably in Gibson County.

The work of reclamation is proceeding rapidly. The forestry department has planted 2,000,000 seedlings: locusts, poplar, and long leafed and short leafed pine, covering approximately 8,000 acres. The division of soil erosion control has installed check dams and planted kudzu and other root clinging plants on 10,000 acres. These activities so far have centered chiefly along the watershed of Brown's Creek lake.

A nursery for production of cedar, pine and poplar has been contracted and is expected shortly to be enlarged for production of trees for planting all the reforestation acres in the section.

About fifteen miles of roads have been graded for graveling, and seven miles have been surfaced near Cub Creek. Decatur County gravel was purchased for use on the project. These roads are 20 feet wide, and have gravel eight inches thick.

A brick kiln has been installed and 300,000 bricks are now ready for use in construction of foundations and chimneys for the cottages which will be begun within the next few weeks.

Three lakes are now under construction, and pouring of concrete has commenced on the dam at the head of Brown's Creek.

A saw mill has been set up and 400,000 feet of lumber are now ready for building of the houses. Shingles are also manufactured on the ground, and the only outside purchases for the these houses will be dressed lumber fox flooring and window and door frames.

All the axe handles and articles of that kind are also made in the area.

The present employment quota is 750 men. All those places are filled and there are no other jobs available at this time. The area is administered through the Lexington office, with W.C. Kelly in charge and Joe Bowers, assistant.

June 14, 1940
Lexington Progress

Natchez Trace Park To Be Dedicated July 4

Natchez Trace State park, the largest of all State parks, located chiefly in Henderson County, and lying at its nearest point, eight miles East of Lexington, will be the scene on July Fourth of an expected mighty throng of people gathered to witness and enjoy the dedication of this huge park, once known as the Government Land Area. Everyone acquainted with this vast expanse of once waste land, knows the Government a few years ago, bought and reclaimed the 50,000 acres of wasted away hills and gullies and transformed them into a place of beauty, enchantment and recreation. Later when the government had finished its tasks of planting millions of trees, stopping thousands of gullies and building three fine lakes, twenty-five furnished cabins, a spacious lodge and an administration building it then leased the entire area to the State of Tennessee and now we have Natchez Trace State Park.

Governor Prentice Cooper, J.Charles Poe, Conservation Commissioner, will be present and deliver the principal dedication speeches. These talks will be supplemented by brief talks from other members of the Governor's cabinet, as well as many private citizens. A large number of high State officials, other than cabinet members, have been invited and signified their intentions of coming. In fact, many prominent citizens in private life, from Memphis, Jackson and other cities, will be here by special invitation.

Many neighboring cities, including Jackson, Bruceton, Camden, Parsons, and of course Lexington, have pledged the Dedication Steering Committee, composed of Walter Johson, Lon S. Austin and L.T. Hay, their full cooperation in making the day a great success. The Lexington Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, the Huntingdon and Bruceton Lions Clubs, and the Camden and Parsons Business Men's Clubs will appoint special committees to actively participate in the making and shaping of the program for the day. Lon S. Austin will be master of ceremonies.

A spacious lunch will be served in the spacious Lodge building for the Governor, Commissioner Poe, other Cabinet members and all specially invited guests. Around this luncheon table will sit the mayors of the aforementioned cities, and our own Mayor Joe C. Davis, will preside. Joe makes a fine presiding officer and a good mayor as well. Also will sit reporters, editors and business-managers of many newspapers in the Natchez Trace community, who will contribute largely to the spirit of the hour. All kinds of tempting, ice-cold drinks, as well as delicious, well-cooked barbecued meats and sandwiches of every nature will be available on the picnic grounds for the public. All pains will be taken for the comfort and convenience of every visiting person, regardless of station in life.

Fun, amusement, entertainment and laughter will be lavishly provided without regard to age or size. Everybody will find something they will enjoy. The Jewell Cowboys of radio fame will definitely be present to entertain with their music and song. Negotiations are well under way to bring the Jackson High School Band for the occasion. Boat races, swimming contests and so on and so on, will be your joy to see. Final details will be published later when worked out.

July 19,1940
Lexington Progress

Free Dancing at Natchez Trace Park

On Thursday evening, between seven and ten o'clock, the nickelodeon at Natchez Trace State Park will be operated free of charge. This is being done to celebrate the fact that from now on there will be plenty of power to operate the recreational facilities at this Park every evening until TVA power is obtained (O Happy Day).

The electric power trouble at Natchez Trace has been eliminated by completely abandoning the old underground electrical system and using instead the new and large system. An A.C. generator has been installed to energize this new system so that visitors can now use radios and other equipment which would not operate on D.C. current.

August 9,1940
Lexington Progress

More Information on Natchez Trace As Training Site

Lieu.-Colonel Frank A. Whittaker, of the United States Army, who is second in command at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., was in Lexington Saturday afternoon for a two-hour conference concerning the availability of Natchez Trace Park as a possible training site for a division of the United States Army. Earlier in the day he visited Chickasaw Park near Henderson.

Col Whittaker made it clear at the conference that he had no authority whatever to make decisions in the matter or even recommend any sites. His duties are only to secure certain data information and transmit this to the War Department.

At Saturday's meeting were: Walter Johnson, superintendent of the park; Tyler Smith, park ranger; C.F. Armstrong, secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce; and Odell Buck, attorney, who had charge of securing titles to the property in the site.

Following the Colonel's conference here, he went to Natchez Trace Park for a personal survey of the land and remained over night as guest of Mr. Johnson. His trip here was ordered by the department after a detailed report of the possible site was sent in by Major Lytle Brown, chairman of the Tennessee Defense Commission. Col. Whittaker was presented a resolution of the Chamber of Commerce which pledged all possible assistance in the matter

August 16,1940
Lexington Progress

News From Natchez Trace Park

Natchez Trace State Park opened its beach for night swimming on Friday night, August 9th and on every Tuesday and Friday nights thereafter until the fifteenth of September. This can be done because through, the new electrical system we are able to generate enough current so that all the cabins, lodge and beach will be supplied with adequate electrical energy.

Night cat fishing will be allowed at Natchez Trace State Park on every Tuesday and Thursday nights. Trot lines may be set in the lakes that are open for fishing and may be run as often as desired up until ten o'clock. After that, all trot lines must be removed from lakes or not run until the following morning at daylight. Pole fishing will be allowed until midnight of the specified nights and at the two lakes open for fishing. At present no plans have been made to allow cat fishing after the game fish season has closed in the park. No limit to either size or number has been set and any one may take as many as they are able to catch.

Boat rentals and fishing permits will be charged at night, the same [price] as during the day. There are plenty of cat fish in all of the lakes in Natchez Trace State Park, and fishermen are expected to have a great deal of fun fishing for them.

The total attendance for the month of July for Natchez Trace State Park was high, making it the largest attendance month in the history of the park. Of this total attendance, a large number was made up from organized groups such as Sunday School classes, high school groups, Future Farmers and other large groups of boys and girls who were brought out here in order to enjoy the attractions at the park.

We are more than delighted to see this development of large group usage here at the park and wish to assure every community and church, as well as all social and civic organizations, that the park personnel will do everything in their power to see that any group brought to the park has the most enjoyable time that they have ever experienced because we feel that in helping to promote this large group usage, we are being of the utmost service to the public.

August 23, 1940
Lexington Progress

Horseback Riding at Natchez Trace Park

Six very gentle and good horses are available to people who wish to ride the many trails and roads in Natchez Trace State Park. For people who want to have a real thrill and really enjoy riding through a huge natural forest, the horses at Natchez Trace offers many possibilities, for it is only a short ride to the only living memento of the battle of 1812, the largest, and we think the most beautiful pecan tree in the world. People might plan a full day's entertainment by coming out and bringing a picnic lunch, renting these horses, riding over to the pecan tree, which has at its base, a beautiful picnic area, with plenty of water and tables. Continuing on, making a circle, coming around over Maple Creek Dam and back into the recreational area, this route includes many interesting things besides the pecan tree, such as Maple Creek fire tower, which visitors are allowed to climb and from which they can see the country for miles around. The many soil erosion projects using both dam and tree planting to stop erosion are both interesting and educational to see. Upon crossing Maple Creek dam, one may stop and admire the beauties of this 93-acre lake that is supposed to be one of the best fishing lakes in the western part of the state.

Along the route returning toward Cub Creek Lake recreational area is the largest of all soil erosion projects which is known as the "Fairview Gullies." These gullies are a real lesson to everyone who views them, for it shows just how much damage can be done by allowing soil to erode.

As anyone will see, horseback riding at Natchez Trace should be and will be a real benefit to citizens in this locality who love to ride horses and spend a real honest-to-goodness day enjoying the beauties of nature.

April 23,1943
Lexington Progress

Natchez Trace Park May Get New Name

Natchez Trace, April 20. — The name of Natchez Trace State Park, 12 miles east of Lexington may be changed to the Nathan Bedford Forrest Memorial park if a recommendation to the Tennessee Conservation Commission is approved.

In making this recommendation the Commission also suggested that additional land be acquire to extend the park to the Tennessee River and include the present Nathan Bedford Forrest Park near Camden. The park now includes 43,000 acres. If it is enlarged it will border on the new Gilbertsville Lake. The resolution making these recommendations follows:

"It is recommended that the name of the park known as Natchez Trace Park be changed to the name of Nathan Bedford Forrest Memorial Park and be extended to the pool of the Gilbertsville Dam on the Tennessee River."