[1] The name Natchez-Under-the-Hill may date to the days of British West Florida, as the name form is "so unlike American patterns" whereas English placenames abound in constructions like Stratford-Upon-Avon and Stow-on-the-Wold.

[4] "Natchez is situated on the east side of the Mississippi - a small part of the town immediately on the bank and under the hill - the houses here are small - being little else but hucksters' shops - The main body of the town lies an half mile from the river after rising an elevated bluff of 100 or 150 feet by a serpentine road winding obliquely up the hill.

The site of the town is not a plane, but much diversified but gentle elevations and depressions - which, where houses are not erected, are covered with verdue - giving the town, and suburbs especially, an appearance considerably picturesque - All stores, taverns, and families of any importance or respectability are here - most of the houses are of wood and in the French style - elevated 7 or 8 feet from the ground - above which is one story only - and piazzas or galleries all round - under the galleries are their storerooms - which have a great resemblance to cellars - Natchez contains about 2000 inhabitants" "Natchez under the Hill was noted for the many dance houses and gambling dens, all under the great bluff and immediately at the steamboat landing.

Notwithstanding, it was a great trading-point, and you could see an acre of flatboats lying at the wharf all the time, all selling as fast as the customers could be waited on."

The area was frequented by gamblers, river pirates, highwaymen, and prostitutes and was described, in 1810, as a place such that "'...for the size of it, there is not, perhaps in the world, a more dissipated spot.