Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site
Natchez Trace
Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site is located on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 407.7.
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One of the few remaining buildings associated with the old Natchez Trace is the house of ferry operator John Gordon. In the early 1800s, Gordon made an agreement with the Chickasaw Chief George Colbert to operate a trading post and ferry on the Duck River. Military expeditions with General Andrew Jackson kept him away from home much of the time. His wife, Dorothea, supervised construction of the present house in 1817-1818. John Gordon died shortly after it was completed, but Mrs. Gordon lived here until her death in 1859.
The 500 mile long Natchez Trace of the early 1800s, then known as Natchez Road, connected Nashville on the Cumberland River with Natchez on the Mississippi River. This historic wilderness road crossed the Duck River one quarter mile south of here. John Gordon an Indian Scout and fighter with Andrew Jackson, established a ferry and trading post here in 1802.
In 1800, stream crossings were critical to the operating of the Natchez Trace. Small trees would bridge small streams but rivers were greater barriers. Large scale bridge building wasn't practical in the wilderness and rivers like this could be forded only during dry periods. A ferry was the best solution. John Gordon, trader, soldier and friend of Andrew Jackson, opened a ferry here in 1803, sharing the profits with Chickasaw Chief George Colbert who by treaty controlled ferries on Indian land. Gordon's ferry crossed the Duck River for over 90 years until a bridge was opened in 1896.
A 10 minute walk beginning at the Gordon House leads to a section of the original Natchez Trace and the Duck River Ferry site.
The 500 mile long Natchez Trace of the early 1800s, then known as Natchez Road, connected Nashville on the Cumberland River with Natchez on the Mississippi River. This historic wilderness road crossed the Duck River one quarter mile south of here. John Gordon an Indian Scout and fighter with Andrew Jackson, established a ferry and trading post here in 1802.
In 1800, stream crossings were critical to the operating of the Natchez Trace. Small trees would bridge small streams but rivers were greater barriers. Large scale bridge building wasn't practical in the wilderness and rivers like this could be forded only during dry periods. A ferry was the best solution. John Gordon, trader, soldier and friend of Andrew Jackson, opened a ferry here in 1803, sharing the profits with Chickasaw Chief George Colbert who by treaty controlled ferries on Indian land. Gordon's ferry crossed the Duck River for over 90 years until a bridge was opened in 1896.
A 10 minute walk beginning at the Gordon House leads to a section of the original Natchez Trace and the Duck River Ferry site.
Locator Map for Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site and other Natchez Trace points of interest!
Click on these nearby points of interest:
1 Birdsong Hollow and Highway 96 Double-Arched Bridge
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 96
2 Franklin, Tennessee
3 Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast
4 Leipers Fork, Tennessee
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 46
5 Garrison Creek
6 Old Trace
7 Burns Branch
8 Tennessee Valley Divide
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 7
9 Centerville, Tennessee
10 Creekview Farm Retreat Bed and Breakfast
11 Water Valley Overlook
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 50
* Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site
12 Baker Bluff Overlook
13 Jackson Falls
14 Fly - Water Valley - Williamsport - Hampshire Loop Route
15 Old Trace Walk
16 Tobacco Farm and Old Trace Drive
17 Sheboss Stand
18 Old Trace
19 Columbia, Tennessee
20 Linden, Tennessee
21 Commodore Hotel & Cafe
22 Devil's Backbone State Natural Area
23 Swan View Overlook
24 Fall Hollow Waterfall
25 Fall Hollow Bed and Breakfast
Access/Exit US Highway 412
26 Natchez Hills Bed and Breakfast
27 Hohenwald, Tennessee
28 Meriwether Lewis
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 20
29 Metal Ford and Buffalo River
30 Napier Mine
31 Buffalo River Farm and Studio Bed and Breakfast
Color Key:
* Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site
Bed and Breakfasts located nearby
On Trace Attractions located nearby
Other Attractions located nearby
Area Towns & Cities
Access / Exit Roads
1 Birdsong Hollow and Highway 96 Double-Arched Bridge
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 96
2 Franklin, Tennessee
3 Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast
4 Leipers Fork, Tennessee
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 46
5 Garrison Creek
6 Old Trace
7 Burns Branch
8 Tennessee Valley Divide
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 7
9 Centerville, Tennessee
10 Creekview Farm Retreat Bed and Breakfast
11 Water Valley Overlook
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 50
* Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site
12 Baker Bluff Overlook
13 Jackson Falls
14 Fly - Water Valley - Williamsport - Hampshire Loop Route
15 Old Trace Walk
16 Tobacco Farm and Old Trace Drive
17 Sheboss Stand
18 Old Trace
19 Columbia, Tennessee
20 Linden, Tennessee
21 Commodore Hotel & Cafe
22 Devil's Backbone State Natural Area
23 Swan View Overlook
24 Fall Hollow Waterfall
25 Fall Hollow Bed and Breakfast
Access/Exit US Highway 412
26 Natchez Hills Bed and Breakfast
27 Hohenwald, Tennessee
28 Meriwether Lewis
Access/Exit Tennessee Highway 20
29 Metal Ford and Buffalo River
30 Napier Mine
31 Buffalo River Farm and Studio Bed and Breakfast
Color Key:
* Gordon House and Duck River Ferry Site
Bed and Breakfasts located nearby
On Trace Attractions located nearby
Other Attractions located nearby
Area Towns & Cities
Access / Exit Roads
