Tishomingo
County occupies the extreme northeastern corner of the State. To the
north lies Tennessee, to the east Alabama, to the south Itawamba County,
and to the west Alcorn and Prentiss counties. The present Tishomingo
County was created in 1870, after having been partitioned. The partition
formed the present Alcorn and Prentiss Counties. The City of Iuka serves
as the present-day County Seat.
The county lies
within a region of rugged lands with an elevation of 650 - 675 feet
above sea level. The northern section is cut into narrow ridges by the
short tributaries of the Tennessee River, and is a region of wild and
picturesque beauty. Toward the south, the ridges lose some of their
sharpness and productive farms are to be seen along the slopes. Paleozoic
rocks, the oldest geological formations in the State are found within
the county, especially along the banks of Bear and Yellow Creek. Tishomingo
County gravel has been in use since railroads were built and is recognized
as excellent material for highway construction. The limestone is 95%
pure lime carbonate and is well adapted for making cement. Amber, or
high grade, is found here, and tripolite, found in Tishomingo has been
used in the manufacture of glassware. Iuka minerals have long been famous
for their health giving qualities. Red sandy soil, known as pebbly loam,
prevails throughout. Hill tops and slopes bristle with pines, oaks,
and hickory; walnut, sycamore, tulip, maple and occasionally magnolia
trees grow in the valleys. Along the streams alder grow prolifically.
Purple aster, marigolds, cosmos, dogwood, wild ferns of several varieties,
wild honeysuckle, and woodbine are indigenous. Woodall Mountain, the
highest elevation is the State is located south of Iuka.
The Tennessee River,
winding along the northwestern border of the county, drains the entire
northern section; a tributary "Bear Creek" flowing deeply and narrowly
over jagged rocks, courses throughout the central portion. Because of
its high altitude, Tishomingo County has somewhat colder winters than
other portions of the State. Summer nights here are commonly chilly.
The county is preeminently
agricultural and, while Tishomingo County does not rank high agriculturally,
it is capable of producing almost everything grown in the temperature
zone.
Tishomingo County
has enjoyed the benefits of significant industrial development over
the past few decades. At
present, the county employs approximately 3,900 workers manufacturing
foil, paper products, wood pallets, lumber, concrete products, agricultural
lime, filters & strainers, upholstered furniture, newspaper & printing,
men & women's shoes and clothing, steel fabrication, construction, furniture,
modular process units, material handling, rental cloth, army clothing,
specialty chemicals and cleaners, mattresses & cushions, institutional
furniture upholstery, metal frames, urethane foam, machine shop, mobile
homes, fiber glass products, draperies, safety products, chip mill,
residential lighting, asphalt, chemical uniforms, lumber, bathtubs,
and furniture frames.
Tishomingo County
has four public libraries located in Iuka, Burnsville, Belmont, and
Tishomingo. All of the libraries are part of the Northeast Regional
Library System, which includes 13 libraries in five counties. Through
the Northeast Regional Library System's inter library loan program,
patrons of the Tishomingo County libraries have access to books in any
of the system's 11 libraries.
