6 Towns In The Mid-South That Were Frozen In Time

Old towns often transport the mind to a sweeter, slower period - the time of ox-drawn carriages, log cabins, and steamboats. The time of roasted marshmallows, not pizzas and hamburgers. As you gaze at beautiful, red-brick Victorians you have a feel of the taste and style of pioneers. You hear stories of gambling dens and seedy brothels — now transformed into inviting restaurants and classy boutiques. The mid-South has many of these spots, all filled with dreamy nostalgia. From Columbia, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi, discover below six beautiful towns in the mid-South that transport you to the past.

Columbia, Tennessee

Columbia, Tennessee, is historic in several ways. James Polk, for instance, although born in Pineville, North Carolina, later moved to Columbia as a sickly 10-year-old boy. He started practicing law here in 1820, and the home where he stayed is today preserved as the President James K. Polk Home & Museum. Columbia is among the most picturesque historic small towns in the country. It is anchored by an iconic courthouse, an eye-catching Classical Revival where Henry Choate was hanged in the 1920s after being lynched by a frenzied but misinformed mob. Forty years ago, the Columbia Commercial Historic Downtown District was established on the National Register of Historic Places. It is today a beautiful space filled with Federal, Victorian, and Mid-19th Century Revival architecture. See Jefferson Davis’s death Mask at the National Confederate Museum then finish with a slow-smoked BBQ at Puckett's Restaurant.

Guthrie, Oklahoma

Guthrie was established in 1887 and witnessed significant growth in the wake of the subsequent Land Run. Its historic district is today the largest historic urban district in the state of Oklahoma. More than 2,000 buildings in that nostalgic stretch are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guthrie boasts wide sidewalks, beautiful, red-brick buildings, and a palpable, old-timey feel. Add this to the fact Guthrie once served as the capital of the Oklahoma Territory, and you have a town almost unmatched for its historical significance. Although the saloons and gambling halls that once dotted the downtown area have since been repurposed, other notable buildings like the Scottish Rite (Freemasonry) Temple, the largest of its kind in the world, will draw your attention. You can visit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and the Oklahoma Frontier Drugstore Museum or catch a show at Pollard Theatre.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

The area around Gatlinburg was once a wilderness where Cherokee hunters roamed. The landscape would change, however, with the arrival of English and Scotch-Irish settlers at the turn of the 19th century. In the 1830s, Gatlinburg was called White Oak Flats, of course, in reference to the abundance of Native oaks in the area. Today, Gatlinburg is a popular vacation destination and boasts numerous travel-worthy attractions, including Christus Gardens, a series of dioramas depicting the life of Christ. Ogle Cabin, built by one of the town's earliest settlers, will transport your mind to the 1800s. Then again, Gatlinburg is the most famous gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, consistently the most visited national park in the United States. It is a pristine landscape that time has barely touched.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Because of its collection of beautiful Victorian architecture, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, cannot be missed from a list of mid-South towns that are frozen in time. Plus, Eureka Springs was the first Historic District in Arkansas and has been on the National Register of Historic Places for over 50 years. There is another feather on its cap. Eureka Springs is a Nationally Significant District, the only town in Arkansas with such a designation. You can have a meal at the historic Crescent Hotel, which is rumored to always have some unseen guests, visit the world-famous Thorncrown Chapel, paddle Beaver Lake (or Table Rock Lake), or explore the Bible Museum, which celebrates one of the oldest works of literature in the world.

Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez was settled by the French in 1716, exactly 60 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River and hosts the largest collection of Antebellum Homes in America. Wondering about how to explore this heartwarming slice of history? The answer is Walk Natchez, a thoughtfully curated walking and biking trail through the heart of historic downtown Natchez. It takes riders and hikers to the jaw-dropping Natchez Bluff, one of the town's most-talked-about features. You will enjoy inhaling breathtaking vistas of the surrounding scenery and catching some of the best views of the Big Muddy. Other pieces of history include the Frogmore Cotton Plantation & Gin, Fort Rosalie, the original fort built by the French in 1716, and The Grand Village.

Jonesborough, Tennessee

Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee. It was established in 1779, about 17 years before the conferment of statehood in Tennessee. President Andrew Jackson came to Jonesborough in 1788 during his westward trip to present-day Nashville to help open court. He stayed in a two-story log home owned by Christopher Taylor, which has since been restored and moved to Main Street’s Historic District. You will find several old buildings in the commercial district, including Chester Inn, the district's oldest building. The National Storytelling Festival, one of a kind in the world, takes place here every October. For interesting exhibits on local history, the Jonesborough-Washington County History Museum will exceed your expectations. Just don't miss the Lost State Scenic Walkway, which leads to Persimmon Ridge Park and to endless acres of greenery.

The Takeaway

The mid-South, the land of country music, is steeped in so much rich and fascinating history, some of which can be gleaned from a dominating courthouse, a 3-story Victorian building, or an iconic hotel. As you stroll through beautiful, cobblestoned streets, you will find markers that transport the mind to the 1800s, sometimes even the foggy 1700s. During these trips, time stops — or slows down significantly. The towns highlighted here are some of the best, especially if you want to travel back in time.