Natchez Trace Phosphate Mine - National Scenic Byways on Waymarking.com

From here north for approximately 40 miles the parkway passes through or near a geologic region of limestone rich in phosphate deposits. Abandoned mine shafts in limestone ledges on both sides of the parkway in this immediate area are silent reminders of past mining activity. A five minute walk to your right leads to an abandoned railroad bed and a collapsed mineshaft in a limestone over crop.

Phosphate in these limestone layers came from shellfish deposited here some 400 million years ago. Recently, geologically speaking, these limestone ledges became exposed. Through the years, unknown and uncounted men have passed this ledge, ignorant of the wealth it held. Certainly, some of them needed the phosphate to revitalize their worn-out farms. About 1880, man learned the importance of phosphate as a fertilizer, discovered it here, and began to mine it.

Program: America's Byways Website: [Web Link] Official Name: Natchez Trace Parkway

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