There are undoubtedly a lot of towns with odd names in the state of Mississippi. Some have intriguing, perplexing, or enigmatic translations and are named after early occupants.
One founding father named the town in honor of his beloved, another was named for its terrifying residents, and at least one was named for its abundant foliage.
Tupelo, the birthplace of a world-famous singer—some would even call him the king of all singers—is one of those communities whose popularity surpasses their odd titles.
Additionally, because it’s Mississippi, the majority of the communities celebrate music, whether it be rock ‘n roll, gospel, blues, or a mix of all three. Find out which 5 Mississippi communities have the most unusual names.
Alligator
Without include Alligator, no list of oddly named Mississippi cities would be complete. One must ask why this specific location was given the nickname, given that the creatures are known to exist throughout the South.
It appears that the lake was named Alligator Lake because of the unusually high number of alligators that people saw there in the 1800s. It is situated in Mississippi’s oldest state park, Leroy Percy State Park.
It is believed that the lake’s abundance of fish, including sunfish, bass, and crappies, as well as turtles, is what draws alligators to it. It is easy to spot the alligators relaxing under the trees or tanning on the riverbank.
Visitors may breathe easy while admiring the view from the observation platform, even if specialists claim that alligators do not consider humans to be food.
Although the town is only slightly more than one square mile, the nearby towns provide a surprisingly wide variety of activities and dining options.
People gush about Hooker Grocer and Eatery, named after blues musician John Lee Hooker, in Clarksdale, which is only a 16-minute drive from Alligator.
The restaurant offers both more upmarket delicacies and regional Southern cuisine. In addition to private residences for rent, Clarksdale is home to several renowned hotels, including the Hampton Inn and Suites.
Biloxi
Given that Biloxi means “first people” and that a native tribe called the area home when the French built Fort Maurepas in 1699, it seems fitting.
Customers can carry their purchased drink in a go-cup and take it out the door in Biloxi’s two entertainment zones.
Explore the town by renting a bike from the Visitor’s Center. While in Biloxi, visit the Biloxi Lighthouse and have a dip in the Gulf of Mexico at the white sand beach.
At the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, an impressive multi-story glass structure featuring 300 years of history in entertaining and interactive displays, you can learn about Biloxi’s past and its crucial role in the maritime and seafood industries.
Biloxi’s several casinos, which include Hard Rock, Harrah’s, and the AAA Diamond-rated Beau Rivage, are both locations to stay and play.
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A casino buffet is an excellent option if you want to satisfy everyone in your group.
Hattiesburg
However, the town’s founder, William Hardy, named it after his second wife, Hattie, whom he proclaimed to be his true love. Sadly, Hattie passed away before she could see the town that bears her name.
As you may know, the town of 48,414 is home to Grand Ole Opry member Adam Doleac, country music performer Brett Favre, and former NFL quarterback Brett Favre.
Hattiesburg is currently well-known for its vibrant music and art scene.
The 55+ murals, 44 painted utility boxes, and sculptures you see throughout town are the result of the Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art, which works to make art accessible to all.
In honor of Jimmy Buffet, who studied at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, “Parrots in Paradise” was written. Others honor the town’s history, civil rights, generosity, communal spirit, rock ‘n roll, blues, and much more.
There will always be concerts and stage shows, as well as activities at Town Square Park like the Farmer’s Market.
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Tupelo
The region was formerly known as “Gum Pond” because of the large number of gum trees there, but people saw that it wasn’t a pond after all, so they changed the name to Tupelo, which is the name of the gum trees.
Over 260 species, including buffalo (American bison), walk freely and graze in the protected fields of the 210-acre Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo.
Watusi cattle, ostriches, llamas, zebras, Capuchin monkeys, and other animals can be seen up close at the petting zoo or during the Safari Driving Tour in your car.
Try your luck and try to get a seat at Sweet Tea and Biscuits Cafe, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Pascagoula
The strange thing about this 21,582-person town isn’t only that it was called after the Pascagoula Native American tribe. Pascagoula means “bread eaters,” which is an odd way to describe any group of people.
The tribe had a reputation for being calm and polite. They drowned in the Pascagoula River to escape being sold into slavery after realizing they were outnumbered by the hostile Biloxi tribe.
The LaPointe-Krebs House and Museum offers a compelling example of early architecture.
It is the sole surviving example of tabby concrete construction on the Gulf Coast and the oldest known building in the state, having been constructed in 1757.
Oyster shells are burned to produce lime, which is then combined with sand, ash, water, and broken oyster shells to generate tabby concrete.
The mixture is then put into a standing frame and allowed to solidify creating concrete that is resilient enough to withstand hurricane-force winds. The cement has a glossy, sparkling appearance due to the visible crushed shells.
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