Immerse Yourself in Nature and History at Plymouth Bluff Center
Time travel becomes almost possible in places like the Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center, where nature and history intertwine in the most captivating of ways. Located only five miles from downtown Columbus, this natural history gem belongs to Mississippi University for Women (MUW), offering visitors the opportunity to step back into a time long past while marveling at an almost primeval landscape.
The Plymouth Bluff Center: A Blend of Nature and History
Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center offers a wealth of attractions for the nature enthusiast or history buff. It’s not only the five miles of nature trails through forest and riverbanks of the Tombigbee but also a prolific cultural history, reflecting elements of Native American, French colonial, and early American life. The Center also houses a cultural and natural history museum and 23 cabins available for rent, providing an enriching and immersive environment for visitors.
What makes the Bluff Center even more astonishing is its historical significance. The bluff area is the only Mississippi site listed in a National Park Service Report on the preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites, needing further study.
History Retold: The Creek Indian War at Plymouth Bluff
These grounds witnessed immense historical events more than 200 years ago. During the Creek Indian War of 1813-14, Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians were allied with and fought alongside Andrew Jackson’s soldiers. The fortified residence of John Pitchlynn, a U.S. interpreter appointed for the Choctaw nation by President George Washington himself lay at Plymouth Bluff. John Pitchlynn successfully fortified this place, known as Fort Smith, playing a significant role in the mentioned war events, being a U.S. supply depot and assembling point for Choctaw leaders and U.S. officers.
These historical events are richly captured in personal accounts, such as the letters from Peter Pitchlynn, who recalled the twice attempted sieges by the Creek War parties, the fort’s defenses, and its significance during the times of war.
A Natural Haven at Plymouth Bluff
Nestled amid the intricacies of history, the breath of nature remains undiminished. The nature trails at Plymouth Bluff offer a glimpse into what the landscape likely appeared 200 years ago. They encircle the fort and traverse through forest and riverbanks, showcasing the area’s natural history in its finest form.
Open House at Plymouth Bluff Center
The Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center is inviting the public to become a part of this unique amalgamation of nature and history. MUW, in cooperation with the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, plans to host an open house, offering programs and events that cater to a variety of interests, for both young and old. This is a radiant opportunity for individuals and families to engage in activities, to learn, and to marvel at the natural beauty of Plymouth Bluff.
The exact location of Fort Smith is yet to be discovered, and research conducted by historians continues interestedly. The Plymouth Bluff Environmental Center, as a place of significant historical and natural value, stands as a testament to time, unveiling multiple layers of stories, battles, and undisturbed natural vistas one can simply not resist.
Plymouth Bluff Center, located at 2200 Old West Point Road, invites you to step into a time machine – of sorts. Experience the past’s echoes in forests and along riverbanks, while the history unfolds in this incredible haven of nature and time.
