To commemorate the bicentennial of the 1813 Natchez Expedition for the War of 1812, and to acknowledge that Andrew Jackson became “Old Hickory” on the return march, the Natchez Trace Parkway Association planted bicentennial Hickory trees at sites associated with the expedition The history of the expedition was recounted at events, and the assistance the Chickasaws and Choctaws provided to help Jackson and his troops was acknowledged. He became “Old Hickory” with their help.
Thanks to the DAR, the U.S. Daughters of 1812 and the Pontotoc Historical Society for sponsoring the trees, and to Greg Smith, and the National Park Service for their help in planting them on sites on the parkway and to the Hermitage for its help in planting the tree at its site.
Trees were also planted near Jackson’s camp site on the old trace in Pontotoc and at Grinder’s Stand, where troops were dismissed. The design for markers for the trees is in progress.
Special thanks for the donations of the trees from the following:
1. Natchez on the Bluff- Natchez Chapter DAR
2. Historic Jefferson College- Fort Dearborn- Pathfinder Chapter DAR of Port Gibson, MS
3. Camp Jackson (Elizabeth Female Academy) – James Gilliam Chapter DAR of Marks, MS