LeFleur's Bluff

"Today in our journey up the Trace from Natchez we have reached Jackson, Mississippi, an important landmark both in the history of the Trace and the history of early settlers forging out the American Frontier.

"The French Canadian Lewis LeFleur first set up a trading post with the Choctaw Indians near a bluff that overlooked the Pearl River. The post became known as LeFleur's Bluff.

"In the early years of the Mississippi Territory the capitol was located at Washington, Mississippi just north of Natchez. The capitol remained there until 1821 when it was moved to the site of LeFleur's Bluff. This move of the capitol occurred following the 1820 Treaty of Doak's Stand when the Choctaw Indians gave up one third of their land to the United States. Andrew Jackson was head of the United States team negotiating with the Choctaw at Doak's Stand and the new capitol at LeFleur's Bluff was renamed Jackson in his honor.

"Join us next time when we'll journey north of Jackson to the Ridgeland Crafts Center and take a look at the handiwork of the Native Choctaw and other craftsmen of Mississippi. I'm Frank Thomas, your guide along the Natchez Trace, a road through the wilderness."

For more about Natchez Trace: A Road Through the Wilderness, visit eddieandfrank.com