Status: Preserved

Location: Metal Museum Drive, Memphis

Built: ca. 1500

Architectural Style: Park

Original Function/Purpose: Park

Chickasaw Heritage Park was placed on the National Register on Nov. 25, 1997.

History: Formerly the fortress of Chickasaw chief Chisca, the park features two ceremonial mounds that were built by Paleo-Indians. During the Civil War these same mounds were hollowed out and used for gun emplacements and munitions storage. The area is also believed to be where Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto first viewed the Mississippi River in 1541. Early in the 1900s this park was called Jackson Mound or Jackson Mound Park, but it was renamed by the Memphis Park Commission in 1913 as DeSoto (later De Soto) Park.

Maps:

Outline of Chickasaw Heritage Park (De Soto Park).
Map of the park used in its National Register nomination.

City Council District: 6

Super District: 8

County Commission District: 8