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Hi, Just curious, I visited Natchez in early 1970s'. the downtown was vivarient...had a wonderful department store I shopped at for Christmas. When and why did Natchez begin to change, shutting down stores from downtown? I visited again twice and of course there are stores in the places of the ones I referred, mostly antiques and the like. I still love the area. Just curious....
Curio: I've lived in Natchez for the past two years, thanks to Katrina. I heard about how Natchez used to be also. But from what I understand. ALL the major industry picked up and left, or closed down or went out of business for one reason or another. The economy, demographics, lack of work, the educational system, etc., etc. "happened" to Natchez. Natchez is now a town for the "retired". Once a kid left for college, (s)he never came back - - what for ?? No jobs were available. Especially not professional positions. I heard large companies like International Paper used to be a mainstay in this city. Large tire companies, etc....and then it all just fizzled out. Consequently, families left, graduates left, etc. Now, all they have here is the Hospitality Industry - - If you like casinos and/or the tour business and/or the hotel business, then Natchez is a good place to be. But other than the hospitality industry, and going on tours to visit civil war homes, little slave quarters, etc.,, there's not much to offer in Natchez. They are in the process of building 2 more casino's - - these will be boats, but will have a "resort" flavor to them, with park-like settings and all. Again, its all about the hospitality industry and tourism....that's all she got, and that looks like that's all she (Natchez) wants, unfortunately. {
Curio: I've lived in Natchez for the past two years, thanks to Katrina. I heard about how Natchez used to be also. But from what I understand. ALL the major industry picked up and left, or closed down or went out of business for one reason or another. The economy, demographics, lack of work, the educational system, etc., etc. "happened" to Natchez. Natchez is now a town for the "retired". Once a kid left for college, (s)he never came back - - what for ?? No jobs were available. Especially not professional positions. I heard large companies like International Paper used to be a mainstay in this city. Large tire companies, etc....and then it all just fizzled out. Consequently, families left, graduates left, etc. Now, all they have here is the Hospitality Industry - - If you like casinos and/or the tour business and/or the hotel business, then Natchez is a good place to be. But other than the hospitality industry, and going on tours to visit civil war homes, little slave quarters, etc.,, there's not much to offer in Natchez. They are in the process of building 2 more casino's - - these will be boats, but will have a "resort" flavor to them, with park-like settings and all. Again, its all about the hospitality industry and tourism....that's all she got, and that looks like that's all she (Natchez) wants, unfortunately. {
That's not entirely true. I know several young graduates that have returned to Natchez to start small businesses, work in their family businesses, or work for a bank. The small businesses are the only thing sustaining that town, and if people don't start patronizing them more, Natchez will die.
I am a resident of Natchez, and tend to agree with funbustours.... Moving here from any place that is even somewhat progressive or larger would be a tremendous adjustment... The pace of life here is SLOWWWWW, but then again, this is rural Mississippi. If you crave a faster pace, a place that the majority of its citizens are educated, a good public school system, good restaurants, a downtown that is open 7 days a week--- keep looking!!!! Natchez ---in its defense----- is a beautiful little town, with tons of untapped potential, but I have made friends with too many who have moved here from elsewhere, who sooner or later throw their hands up with aggrevation and leave. It is very very difficult to make a "decent" living here..... Simply put, there is no money here for the masses, that explains the plethora of check cashing establishments on each and every corner. There are a few progressive folks who invite change, but for the majority, they have a hard time adapting to change and are content with the same song and dance..... We do have several small motels/hotels under construction, which is great, but after looking at several antebellum houses and taking in the "natural" beauty, what else are you going to do??? Shopping??? yeah, right...... we do have a few little boutique type shops to glance at, but save your shopping dollars for somewhere else.......Coffeeshops? We have one that seems to be on life support and has reduced operating hours........ We have garden clubs that have their hands full preserving our older homes that are on tour, but there aren't any public gardens, and curb appeal, especially around town and on major thoroughfares is a joke! But we are supposed to be a tourist town! Disneyworld we ain't! We have a lonnnggg way to go before we even begin to grasp what a "true" tourist town is....... but don't tell the locals that---they think they wrote the book on tourism!
Shopping??? yeah, right...... we do have a few little boutique type shops to glance at, but save your shopping dollars for somewhere else.......Coffeeshops? We have one that seems to be on life support and has reduced operating hours........
Shopping and Starbucks.
I guess the California sickness has spread all over the country by now.
It's really sad.
I am a resident of Natchez, and tend to agree with funbustours.... Moving here from any place that is even somewhat progressive or larger would be a tremendous adjustment... The pace of life here is SLOWWWWW, but then again, this is rural Mississippi. If you crave a faster pace, a place that the majority of its citizens are educated, a good public school system, good restaurants, a downtown that is open 7 days a week--- keep looking!!!! Natchez ---in its defense----- is a beautiful little town, with tons of untapped potential, but I have made friends with too many who have moved here from elsewhere, who sooner or later throw their hands up with aggrevation and leave. It is very very difficult to make a "decent" living here..... Simply put, there is no money here for the masses, that explains the plethora of check cashing establishments on each and every corner. There are a few progressive folks who invite change, but for the majority, they have a hard time adapting to change and are content with the same song and dance..... We do have several small motels/hotels under construction, which is great, but after looking at several antebellum houses and taking in the "natural" beauty, what else are you going to do??? Shopping??? yeah, right...... we do have a few little boutique type shops to glance at, but save your shopping dollars for somewhere else.......Coffeeshops? We have one that seems to be on life support and has reduced operating hours........ We have garden clubs that have their hands full preserving our older homes that are on tour, but there aren't any public gardens, and curb appeal, especially around town and on major thoroughfares is a joke! But we are supposed to be a tourist town! Disneyworld we ain't! We have a lonnnggg way to go before we even begin to grasp what a "true" tourist town is....... but don't tell the locals that---they think they wrote the book on tourism!
I've never lived anywhere near Natchez and have only been visiting for five years, but everytime I visit I have a great time. Sure, it may get a little slow living there all the time, but Natchez can be a blast. I have friends downtown, and it is nice to be able to walk to the bars on Main that stay open all night long (the only place in Mississippi). It's fun to go across the river to the drive through daquiri bar. I love how all the local families rent a room at the Ramada for the balloon fest and sets up a full bar in their room. Then everyone just "barhops" from room to room. Going out to Lake St. John on the other side of the river is always a blast. I've never seen a lake with such a great party scene. I love how families have antebellum plantations outside of town, and they host huge parties with crawfish and bluegrass bands. I love the Pilgrimage parties that last for three months. I love how you can walk to a casino at 3 am. I love its beautiful downtown. I love the Christmas parade, which is just a police escorted party. I love that great little gourmet grocery downtown. I love the knock-you-naked margaritas at Fat Mamas. I love how tons of people still live downtown (one of the few towns in Mississippi where this is true). I love the amazing views from the bluff, especially where the Ramada is (best views in the state). I love how people are always cooking up great meals at their homes when you drop by. I love going to a fabulous dinner at the Castle, which has probably the best atmosphere in the state. I love how the city looks down on the bridge and you have to descend to go over it, which seems so foreign on the Mississippi. Sure the schools stink, there are few high paying jobs, and the "bypass" looks like a third world country, but Natchez has some wonderfully unique things about it. It's a place I will always love, though I'll probably never live there. Don't be so down on your city.
I'm not being down on my city.... I have lived here for over 20 years, so I think I have the right to be up front about how things really are here. I agree w/ all the positive things you had to say about Natchez. I love the idea of riding around on a daily basis looking at things I do take for granted.... but, Natchez could be so much more, thats my point. If its citizens and leadership would all unite, instead of being out for themselves, this city could really shine.... The schools are what really hold this place back---the whites attend primarily private schools, and the majority of the African American population attends our less than steller public school system that at one time was one of the best in the state... Not any more! I can't begin to stress how rotten our public schools are...... Anyway, no use in beating a dead horse...... this conversation could go on for days........ for every good thing this town has to offer there are just as many negative/ backward things that really keep it from moving ahead..... If you love it so much, you should move here and try to improve it! We need new blood with new ideas..... I love my town, but it has some tough issues it needs to meet head on, deal with it, and move on........ wishful thinking.........by the way, the Ramada has closed---it is now partially torn down while some fly by night casino operator puts in another low quality casino development..... so much for the view...... Yes, compared to other cities/towns in Mississippi, Natchez is a little more tolerable/ civilized........ The culture here has more of a Louisiana influence, thus being a little more open minded........
I was born and raised in Natchez. Thankfully, because of Funbustours and DoIstayorDoIgo, I don't have to type much. They have pretty much hit it on the nail. I left Natchez about 12 years ago. It would have been nice to stay there and raise a family, and remain close to my parents; however, because of the economy, racism, school systems, political figures, and cultural activities I left as soon as I could. Tis true, that Natchez is beautiful, I visit home every year, but one can not live or raise a family off its beauty. Upon entrance of the city, the first sign you see is "A Retirement Community". And that is just the way the ole Garden Club wants it. It’s just so sad, because Natchez does have so much potential. What’s even more mind-boggling is why they keep bringing in all those dern, (and yes I said dern, I am from Natchez you know, lol) casinos. It’s a shame and waste of money and resources. Natchez needs restructuring inside and out, schools and all. The city needs to be open to major companies and businesses coming into the area to increase jobs and economic growth. And I for once would like to see some "actual" public gardens that the "Garden Club" has opened and placed in the city.
Thanks for the support, DoIStayOrDoIGo and Natchezbreed ! TennReb....let me give you three words........you were V-I-S-I-T-I-N-G !!
Sure you're gonna have a ham-sandwich of a good time when you visit Natchez....you or your friends are gonna try and make sure you got places to go and things to do while you're visiting. It's easy to find a bottle of beer and go bar hopping.....hell, if you get intoxicated enough bar-hopping, you might actually " think " you "are" having a good old time ! tee - hee!
Heck, when I visit another city, me or my friends/family are gonna make sure I have a good time SO I WILL COME BACK SOME TIME ! ( smile )
But living here...getting up every morning to the same old thing, same old junk in the newspapers, same old atmosphere, same-ole -- same-- ole .... ain't no fun !! It's dead, boring, washed up - - unless you are old as baseball...then yes, you retire and visit old, musty antebellum homes or visit the ghosts in the slave quarters or whatever.....
If your heart is still beating and if you have children who "enjoy" doing stuff - - you are in deep trouble - - you need to get you and your family out of Natchez....and find a real life in a real city, that's making real progress and moving forward....sorry, Natchez, Miss. is not the town....
My family and I are getting " up out of herrr " !! Soon !! Just like DoIStayOrDoIGo said....you bring your butt on down here and live in this junk and you might soon be trying to jump off that beautiful bridge you mentioned.....
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