RECREATION AND POINTS OF INTEREST

THE NATCHEZ TRACE
The scenic Natchez Trace is a very historical and scenic highway that extends from Nashville to Natchez, MS.  There is a 20 mile section through Lewis County.  
See the related articles regarding the Natchez Trace elsewhere on this site.  There are numerous picnic areas along the route and restrooms open during all but the
worst winter weather.  You will have to pull off the trace for gas and eats so plan ahead.  No commercial traffic is permitted on the Trace.  While on the Trace, take a
break and see some of our county and city.  Meriwether Lewis Monument exit has numerous picnic and camping facilities.  Call them for information.

The Meriwether Lewis Monument is at the mile post exit 386.  See related articles about Meriwether Lewis, Meriwether Lewis Monument, The Natchez Trace, and the
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.

Lewis County Museum of Natural and Local History.  The Lewis County Museum was established in 1989 primarily to display a world
class trophy collection.  The museum is located at 108 East Main Street in Hohenwald and is open Tue. - Sat. 10 till 4.Hohenwald DepotThe Depot was built in the
1800's.  It was built on the N. C. & St. L. Line.  It has been restored almost to it's original condition and is used for community and civic meetings.  It was a center for
social life in Hohenwald's infancy.

Blackburn Farmstead and Pioneer Museum.  The Blackburn house was built around 1806 and is one of the few remaining structures along the Natchez Trace.  Both the
house and corn crib are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is located in the Gordonsburg Community on Hwy. 412 east of the Natchez Trace.  See
additional articles in this site's section "Gordonsburg".

Gordonsburg was an early 1900's boom town, containing between 1500 and 2000 inhabitants.  The only industry was Phosphate.

Metal Ford is located at milepost 382.8 on the Natchez Trace Parkway.  It is the spot where the Trace crossed the Buffalo River, iron ore processing around 1820,
and McClish stand were located.  Before the Natchez Trace was completed, one could drive across the river on a natural slate bed.

Napier Mine.  The Napier mine was an open pit mine and is easily accessible from the trace.  Be careful.  It is the only physical reminder of the Napier mining
operation.  See related article on this site.  

Mormon Massacre.  Only a marker identifies the area.  This is something Lewis County is not proud of but it is a part of our history and obviously, there are two sides
to the tale.  See the related article.

Historic Houses.  There are only a handful of original houses still standing.  One is the Nathaniel Tate house built about 1850 on land once owned by a half-breed
Indian John McClish.  Another is a 1910 Sears house located just off the Trace at the Napier exit (no longer there) is owned by the Naco Corporation.  It was ordered from the Sears Catalogue.

Recreation Hunting and Fishing.  There are numerous fishing streams, ponds, lakes and rivers in the county.  Verities include, Brem, Bass, Crappie and Catfish.  Call
ahead to the County Court Clerk's office for seasons, license requirements and public availability.

Canoeing.  You can enjoy a relaxing trip down the buffalo river beginning at several locations.  You may use your own canoe or rent one or several with pickup
arrangements.  Buffalo is a class 6 river suitable for adventurous family or club trips lasting for up to one whole day.

Golf.  The Hohenwald Recreation and Golf Club is located 3.5 miles east of Hohenwald on Highway 412. The club features a Nine hole, semi-private par 36 golf course
with Bermuda greens, trees, and fairways.  Out-of-town guests are welcome.  Cart rentals are available.  The club swimming pool is open to guests from Memorial Day
through Labor Day for a small charge.

Roller Skating  The skating hut is family owned and operated.  Games for the kids and eats are available.  It is located at 1473 Linden Highway (Hwy. 20 West of
town).

Bicycling on the Trace.  The Natchez Trace is part of the National Bike Trails System.  Families and groups find the Trace an excellent place to stretch a leg.  
Younger children may ride on the pavement at Meriwether Lewis Monument.  Many cyclist take a detour going the 8+miles to Hohenwald using Highway 20 or
Highway 412.  Residents in the area are accustomed to having bikers and are watchful for their safety.Camping and HikingOne can enjoy primitive camping at the
Meriwether Lewis Park and enjoy nature at it's best.  

Hiking anywhere in the county is pleasant and safe.  Be sure and ask for permission from landowners before camping, fishing, hunting or hiking.  Open fires are
prohibited most of the year without a permit due to the large forestation and natural grasslands.  Fishing and hunting permits/license are required.  Hunting on
private land without permission is prohibited whether marked or not.

Memorial park is located in the middle of town.  It can be accessed from Hwy. 48 North or Linden Street.  The 19.9 acre park provides recreation for the entire
family with picnic tables and paved walking trails.  There is a fenced playing area with safe playground equipment.  There are lighted tennis and basketball courts.  
From Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day the public swimming pool is open seven days a week.  The park is open year round with security.  During
the summer months the park is buzzing with numerous ball games going on at the same time.  It is the location of the annual E. M. Adcox Walking horse celebration.

Highways.  Tennessee State Highway's 20, 48 and 99 plus US Highway 412 connect the Hohenwald area with major arterial and interstate highways.  Interstate 40 is
40 miles to the northeast and Interstate 65 is 40 miles to the east.

Airports.  Lewis County has one commercial airport.  It is the John A. Baker field and is located west of Hohenwald on Hwy. 20/412 West.  The runway is 4,000 feet
long and 75 feet wide.  It is equipped with navigational aids.  Fuel and hanger space are provided.

Railroads.  Railway service is provided by South Central Tennessee Railroad (SCTR) .  The shortline service connects with CSX in Dickson, Tennessee.  Service is
provided on demand with daily service available.  Three of the industrial parks in the County border the railroad.  

Truck lines  Hohenwald and Lewis County are served by all the national and regional motor carriers operating in South Central Tennessee.  

Federal Express, United Parcel Service and others provide regular service.

Water Transportation.  The nearest port facility is at New Johnsonville, Tennessee with services provided by the Sangravel Company, Inc.  The port is located on the
Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway 75 miles west of Hohenwald.

Festivals and special events.   Bridle and Saddle Club Horse Show, Amateur Equestrians competing in classes for saddle horses.  Western pleasure horses and games
horses, Little Swan Hunting Club.  The little Swan Hunting club is an organization of hunters and their families.  They have an annual Fish Fry the second weekend
in October in conjunction with the Oktober Fest.  It is held at Memorial park.  One hundred percent of all proceeds go to needy children for Christmas toys and
clothes, Christmas baskets for the elderly and special needs such as serious bodily injuries and burnouts.

J. M. Adcox Tennessee Walking Horse Show,  fourth Friday in June.  A regional competition of the world famous breed of Tennessee Walking Horses.  

Oak Grove Fish Fry Second Friday in June.  An old-fashioned fish fry which has been held annually for over 40 consecutive years serving catfish, hush puppies,
homemade desserts and all the trimmings.  

South Central Area Fair, Third week in August, Carnival, nightly shows including beauty pageants, motocross racing, demolition derby and more.

Volksmarch, Third Saturday in September.  A 6.2 mile walk sanctioned by the International Volksport Association.  It is for serious hikers.  

Quilt Show First Saturday in September.  Many different types of the quilting art are on display including antique quilts handed down through generations.

Meriwether Lewis Crafts Fair, Second Weekend in October.  Master artists and craftsmen participate in this event which has been held at the Meriwether Lewis Park
for over 25 years.  Featured are hand made crafts, food booths and musical entertainment.

Oktober Heritage Festival, Second Weekend in October.  This annual event is held the same time as the Crafts Festival but in the city of Hohenwald.  Activities
include Arts and Crafts, food booths, music, car and truck show, loggers competition and exhibition.

There are over eight miles of yard sales on Highway 20 from The Trace to Hohenwald.  Caution:  The traffic is heavy and very slow. Drive carefully, (the life you save
may be mine) very slow and if in a hurry to get to Hohenwald take the Trace exit at Hwy 412.  This Hwy. 20,  8+mile segment could take as much as 45 minutes to
travel or all day if you want to stop and shop.  BE VERY CAREFUL AS SHOPPERS SEEM TO HAVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

Christmas Parade First Thursday in December.  This is an annual event featuring numerous floats and bands.  

Christmas Tour of Homes, First Saturday in December.  A chance to view and visit homes celebrating the Christmas spirit through their unique decorations.Climate

Civic organizations and clubs, American Legion, Civic Club, V F W, Historical Society, Home Demonstration Clubs, Bridle and Saddle Club, Little Swan Hunting Club,
Pilot Club, Chamber of Commerce, Parent Teacher Organization, Garden Club.


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