Explore The Charming Courthouse That Earned Iuka, Mississippi The Nickname the “Marriage Capital”
Small town Mississippi never ceases to amaze! The tiny towns that fill our state are brimming with charm, character, and history. That’s definitely the case with Iuka. Small only in size, it boasts incredible natural beauty, which includes a waterfall, undeniable small-town charm, and lots of history – part of which you can learn about at the Old Courthouse Museum. Take a look:
With approximately 3,000 residents, Iuka is the epitome of a small town. However, it’s far from your typical small town.
Iuka is home to the 50-foot Cooper Falls, one of the few waterfalls in Mississippi. It’s also where you’ll find one of the state’s only covered bridges.
But what really sets Iuka apart from other small towns is its courthouse, more specifically the number of marriage licenses that have been issued at said courthouse.
Throughout the 40s and 50s, couples flocked to the courthouse in Iuka to get married. Why? Because unlike most states at the time, Mississippi didn’t make couples wait three days after applying for a marriage license to wed.
Starry-eyed couples from Alabama and Tennessee commonly trekked to Iuka for impromptu nuptials. As word spread, lovebirds from Illinois, Georgia, and several other states made the trip to Iuka to tie the knot.
Couples were typically married in the tax assessor's office. However, when several couples showed up at the same time, the upstairs courtroom was used.
Eventually, Iuka became known as the “Marriage Capital of the South.” The nickname is pretty fitting since over 44,000 marriage licenses were issued during the years Mississippi had no 3-day waiting period.
Of course, there’s more than nuptial-related fun to be had. The museum puts on a variety of events throughout the year – from fairs to courtroom-based productions.
For more information, call the Old Courthouse Museum at (662) 423-3500. You can also e-mail the museum at tish.courthousemuseum@gmail.com. Additionally, you can check out the museum’s website or Facebook page.
So, did you know about this charming courthouse museum? Or Iuka’s reputation as the Marriage Capital? Ever visited the museum? If so, what’d you think? Tell us in the comments section.
This isn’t the only Mississippi museum worth checking out. Read about another here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 203 E Quitman St, Iuka, MS 38852, USA
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Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
