Okolona, Mississippi

Incorporated 1850

Okolona is a city in, and one of the two county seats, of Chickasaw County, Mississippi, United States. It is located near the eastern border of the county and was incorporated in 1850. The population was 2,692 at the 2010 census and peaked over 4,000 at one time. The Little City That Does Big Things is our motto and was designated from selling more war bonds during WWII than any community of our size in the United States. We were the first city in Northeast Mississippi to obtain electricity in 1897.  Many people remembered when the lights first came on.

We are a unique community nestled in North Mississippi and are a Special Charter city in the State of Mississippi.  Several universities in close proximity are Blue Mountain College, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, University of Mississippi and community colleges of East Mississippi and Itawamba. Okolona is 121 miles from Memphis International airport; 18 miles from Tennessee-Tombigbee Port in Amory; 1 mile from four-lane US 45A; 22 miles from I22; our Retail Trade Area has 39,442 in a fifteen-mile radius and our Okolona Municipal Airport, Richard Stovall Field 5A4 airport is located within the city limits and is 3,200 feet with self-serving fueling station.

Beginning as a railroad town, we have diversified into furniture manufacturing.  We have a National Historic District of @200 buildings and homes.   We also became a Mississippi Main Street community in 2000 and continue to work to improve our Main Street form of design with retail, government, non-profits and churches along our streets.

Mission Statement

To enhance the quality of life and place for citizens, whom we serve, through esthetics, infrastructure, assistance and improvements to our area. Adopted August 13, 2019

Founded

Okolona was founded as Rose Hill in 1845 and Chartered as Okolona in 1850 - Incorporated. Okolona is named for a Chickasaw Native Brave.

More at Wikipedia

How the city received its motto

Okolona received its motto ‘The Little City That Does Big Things’ because Okolona was the quickest town in the nation in raising its World War II War Bonds Quota and gaining the reputation as the ‘Nation’s Most Patriotic City.  Okolona won four first places in War Loan Drives and three in War Fund Drives.