Tishomingo State Park

"TISHOMINGO is the Chickasaw Indian name meaning WARRIOR CHIEF. Today we visit TISHOMINGO STATE PARK along the Natchez Trace Parkway about 6 mile before it leaves Mississippi and crosses into Alabama. The park, county and nearby town are all named for the last great war chief of the Chickasaw Indian Nation, Chief Tishomingo.

"The land in this scenic state park was Tishomingo's favorite hunting ground, and saddle back ridge was his favorite spot, where he spent many hours riding young white children on his spotted red horse and telling them stories of his many battles. He fought with Gen. Wayne in the Revolutionary War against the British and later along side Andrew Jackson.

"He fought with his tribesmen in the war against the Creek Indians 1793-1795, and was a great warrior in the Chickasaws victorious last war against the Cherokee. Tishomingo was the Chickasaw advisor and leader in the Treaty of Pontotoc in 1832 that resulted in the Chickasaw removal to west of the Mississippi. He felt the pain of his tribe in leaving their home land. Tishomingo's favorite spot in the world was here, and when he was more than 100 years old, he gave it up, left never to return. Tishomingo died on the journey to exile with his people.

"Join us next time when we will visit Cave Spring. For Natchez Trace a road through the wilderness, I'm Frank Thomas."

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