The Magnolia State is full of charming small towns. Some are widely known and can be found just outside of larger cities. Others are a bit more remote, sparsely populated, and full of a seemingly endless amount of fields, pastures, and farmland. These towns are so tiny, you could easily drive right through them and not even realize it… but that’d be a real shame because, most of the time, they have plenty to offer. Here are 11 tiny towns that fit that description. Read on to see how many you’ve visited.
- Utica
Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi About halfway between Raymond and Vicksburg, you’ll find Utica. The town was first settled in the 1700s, and before long, it was booming, complete with more than 100 businesses, an opera house, and three newspapers. Today, things have slowed down greatly for Utica’s 1,000 residents; however, remnants of the town’s past, such as the Ellis Price Mansion and the Woodmen of the World building, which is the oldest in Utica, serve as reminders.
- Caledonia
Carmen Sisson/Cloudybright Photography Home to just over 1,000 residents, Caledonia can be found just north of Columbus. After celebrating its centennial in 2004, the town decided to turn the festivities into an annual event, which has since been named Caledonia Days. Held every October, the 2-day event attracts thousands of visitors from near and far.
- Grace
Picture Mississippi/Photography by Kim Hunt Beautiful views and classic rural scenes abound in this peaceful farming community, which can be found in Issaquena County just northeast of Mayersville.
- Abbeville
Matt Taylor/Crooked Letter Photography Pioneers from South Carolina settled in this small town in the 1800s. Not long after, Abbeville was almost completely destroyed during the Civil War’s Vicksburg Campaign. Fortunately, the quaint town survived, and as of today, 450 residents are lucky enough to call Abbeville home.
- Edwards
Marty Kittrell/How Great Thou Art Edwards was originally established in the 1830s and named Amsterdam. Today, it is home to less than 2,000 residents and more than 3,000 varieties of cacti, as it’s home to the world’s only cactus plantation.
- Newton
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions/Facebook Home to about 4,000 residents, Newton is a small town where peace and quiet are the norm. And if it’s seclusion you’re looking for, Newton has that, too. The Bienville National Forest, which is less than an hour away, offers everything from hiking to camping.
- Rolling Fork
cityofrollingfork.org Though located deep in the Mississippi Delta, there’s much more to this rural town than the corn, cotton, and soybean fields that surround it. Rolling Fork has a rich history, which ranges from the Civil War to the blues. Experience some of that history firsthand by touring Mont Helena, a historic home that dates back to 1896. The iconic Onward Store and a “blues shack,” which is reminiscent of the type of home that musician and Rolling Fork native Muddy Waters lived in, are also among the can’t miss sites you’ll find in Rolling Fork.
- Gloster
Earl McGehee/Flickr With a population of about 950, Gloster may be small but that doesn’t mean visitors will be lacking when it comes to things to do. Basically an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true, the town is conveniently located near a number of parks and attractions, including Percy Quin State Park, Homochitto National Forest, and the Gloster Arboretum.
- Pope
The Place/Facebook Pope, which is in Panola County, is small in both population and size. Classified as a “village,” it has less than 250 residents and encompasses a total area of just 1 sq. mile. As is the case with many small towns in Mississippi, Pope is home to a great restaurant, The Place Cafe. The hidden gem serves up home-cooked meals that are practically guaranteed to please.
- Bay Springs
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions/Facebook Tucked away in Jasper County, just under 2,000 residents are lucky enough to call this delightfully picturesque place home. A quintessential small town, Bay Springs boasts a sense of community, small-town fun, and plenty of charm.
- Nitta Yuma
Marty Kittrell/How Great Thou Art Though tiny, Nitta Yuma has grown into somewhat of a tourist attraction. People from all over visit the abandoned community and explore its collection of preserved buildings, which includes an old home, renovated church, and antique gas station.
Ever visited any of these tiny towns? Have one to add to this list? Tell us in the comments section!
Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent/Vicksburg, Mississippi
About halfway between Raymond and Vicksburg, you’ll find Utica. The town was first settled in the 1700s, and before long, it was booming, complete with more than 100 businesses, an opera house, and three newspapers. Today, things have slowed down greatly for Utica’s 1,000 residents; however, remnants of the town’s past, such as the Ellis Price Mansion and the Woodmen of the World building, which is the oldest in Utica, serve as reminders.
Carmen Sisson/Cloudybright Photography
Home to just over 1,000 residents, Caledonia can be found just north of Columbus. After celebrating its centennial in 2004, the town decided to turn the festivities into an annual event, which has since been named Caledonia Days. Held every October, the 2-day event attracts thousands of visitors from near and far.
Picture Mississippi/Photography by Kim Hunt
Beautiful views and classic rural scenes abound in this peaceful farming community, which can be found in Issaquena County just northeast of Mayersville.
Matt Taylor/Crooked Letter Photography
Pioneers from South Carolina settled in this small town in the 1800s. Not long after, Abbeville was almost completely destroyed during the Civil War’s Vicksburg Campaign. Fortunately, the quaint town survived, and as of today, 450 residents are lucky enough to call Abbeville home.
Marty Kittrell/How Great Thou Art
Edwards was originally established in the 1830s and named Amsterdam. Today, it is home to less than 2,000 residents and more than 3,000 varieties of cacti, as it’s home to the world’s only cactus plantation.
Jeff Baldock’s Creative Visions/Facebook
Home to about 4,000 residents, Newton is a small town where peace and quiet are the norm. And if it’s seclusion you’re looking for, Newton has that, too. The Bienville National Forest, which is less than an hour away, offers everything from hiking to camping.
cityofrollingfork.org
Though located deep in the Mississippi Delta, there’s much more to this rural town than the corn, cotton, and soybean fields that surround it. Rolling Fork has a rich history, which ranges from the Civil War to the blues. Experience some of that history firsthand by touring Mont Helena, a historic home that dates back to 1896. The iconic Onward Store and a “blues shack,” which is reminiscent of the type of home that musician and Rolling Fork native Muddy Waters lived in, are also among the can’t miss sites you’ll find in Rolling Fork.
Earl McGehee/Flickr
With a population of about 950, Gloster may be small but that doesn’t mean visitors will be lacking when it comes to things to do. Basically an outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true, the town is conveniently located near a number of parks and attractions, including Percy Quin State Park, Homochitto National Forest, and the Gloster Arboretum.
The Place/Facebook
Pope, which is in Panola County, is small in both population and size. Classified as a “village,” it has less than 250 residents and encompasses a total area of just 1 sq. mile. As is the case with many small towns in Mississippi, Pope is home to a great restaurant, The Place Cafe. The hidden gem serves up home-cooked meals that are practically guaranteed to please.
Tucked away in Jasper County, just under 2,000 residents are lucky enough to call this delightfully picturesque place home. A quintessential small town, Bay Springs boasts a sense of community, small-town fun, and plenty of charm.
Though tiny, Nitta Yuma has grown into somewhat of a tourist attraction. People from all over visit the abandoned community and explore its collection of preserved buildings, which includes an old home, renovated church, and antique gas station.
Looking for another must-visit town to add to your bucket list? Check out “This Small Mississippi Town Will Capture Your Heart.“
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