City Under the Hill

The Comfort Suites can be spotted upon standing near the warehouses of Under the Hill in Natchez, Mississippi. Once you've crossed the bridge, you're in Vidalia, Louisiana. The lobby is warm and well-lit by an extravagant chandelier. The chandelier hangs above a round table with a fresh floral bouquet.

When you pass the front desk, there is a restaurant and minibar, as well as brochures on other parts of Louisiana. You are then greeted by two doors that have a patio with a magnificent view of the muddy Mississippi and Under the Hill. Tables are set outside for hours to relax and see the view.

The rooms are very large and spacious. There's a medium-sized bathroom with bathtub and large counter, and a small closet where you can hang things up is next to a small dresser and bed(s). Past the beds is a spacious seating area with an armchair, sofa, coffee table, and desk with a comfortable chair.

The view from the window was amazing. The Isle of Capri steamboat made this seem like you were staying at one of the luxurious old-time hotels.

Cock of the Walk used to be Under the Hill, but now sits on top of the hill, with breathtaking views looking at the Mississippi River. The restaurant was an old nautical-looking building with wooden floors, tables, and facts about the Natchez Indians. The restaurant specializes in fried catfish, cornbread, mustard greens, and fried dill pickles. The waiters first bring out the cornbread and flip the dish out of the skillet. The waiters have been entertaining guests like this, so they will not drop it on the floor, as you think they might.

The name might sound odd at first, but understanding what a "Cock of the Walk" was cleared up the name. Under the Hill was called the Barbary Coast of the Mississippi. Flat-boatmen and boatman would sell their cargo up and down the Mississippi. Each ship had a best fighter onboard called a Cock of the Walk. The man was recognized by wearing a red rooster's feather. When a Cock of the Walk met another Cock of the Walk, you could imagine the trouble and bloodshed that followed. Despite having an explicit name, the food is prepared richly, even though it costs you less.

Before the land sloped to Under the Hill, there was a small park where a fence surrounded a large bluff. A large green fern seem to cover the way down, and you have a good view of the Mississippi River. There was a gazebo where you could see an incredible view in the afternoon. Across the street from the gazebo was a bar where you could look into a doorway and see people drinking from inside. I went in the afternoon to view the spectacular sight. Parking was along the curb, with few other cars.

Stanton Hall is a visited spot and a National Historic Landmark in America. The house is an example of Greek-Revival architecture, with Victorian ornamental elaborations. The house had a New Orleans' Garden District charm with its white columns, balconies, and wrought-iron work. Greek Revival is one of the types of architecture that can be found there.

The house belonged to Frederick Stanton, a cotton magnate, and was built in 1857. There are five levels to the house: a full basement with a wine cellar; the first and second floors; the third floor, used as a billiard room and storage; and the fourth floor, used as an observatory.

The first floor is a broad hallway that extends to three reception rooms, separated by sliding doors or hanging arches and a stairway in a separate hallway between a library and dinning room. The second floor has six bedrooms that are open into the central hallway.

Stanton died in 1859, not too long after his house was finished. The house remained in his family until 1894. Later, Stanton Hall was purchased by the Pilgrimage Garden Club in 1938, where elegant social functions take place. On the grounds, members enjoy a swimming pool shaded by centuries-old ancient oaks. Across the patio is the Carriage House Restaurant and Lounge, which specializes in Southern fried chicken and mint juleps.

Tours from the visitor center will drive you past here. The spring or fall pilgrimages offer a view of this site, along with other plantations.

Located on 640 South Canal Street, the Visitor Reception Center has visitor parking, Natchez exhibits, National Park Service Info, and a 20-minute show, "The Natchez Story". It also has a Natchez Logo Gift Shop, a bookstore, and tickets for special events, carriage tours and city tours, historic homes tours, and Melrose. There are also hotel reservations, but during Hurricane Ivan, when I went, they didn't know anything. The hotels weren't calling them, and they weren't calling the hotels.

The Historic City Tour was costly. They began in the back of the building, where you got into this small white bus with a tour guide who'd tell you about the places--homes such as Rosalie and Stanton Hall--drive you Under The Hill and up and down the city streets. The woman we had knew what she was talking about, but she couldn't speak clearly enough to understand her.