Natchez is again in USA Today’s Top 10 list of Best Historic Small Towns.

Natchez finished No. 6 in this year’s contest sponsored on USA Today’s website that included 20 towns in the initial list.

Last year Natchez finished No. 5 in the same category and this year’s results solidify Natchez’s standing in the list of great historic small towns that includes such great cities as Granbury, Texas; Mackinac Island, Michigan; Angola, Indiana; Clarksdale and Williamsburg, Virginia.

To have been included in that top 20 list as selected by USA Today editors and travel experts is quite an honor to begin with.

But, to have enough people vote for the city of Natchez to finish in the No. 6 position this year and the No. 5 position last year is impressive.

Finishing in such high positions consistently means people have a high opinion of Natchez.

For those of us who know Natchez, the distinction should not come as a surprise.

Natchez is a true gem in the South as one of the few cities that remains largely intact from pre-Civil War days.

Natchez features architectural examples of buildings and houses that were built before and during the Civil War days with breath-taking views of the Mississippi River.

Not only does the city afford visitors those unique opportunities to see such grand antebellum architecture, the city also features great friendly people, excellent food and live entertainment.

Now, thanks to USA Today, more people know about all the great tourism benefits Natchez has to offer.