Pontotoc offers a range of different points of interest: the Town Square Post Office and Museum, a marker about the musical history of Pontotoc County, the Pontotoc Farmers Market, and Howard Stafford Park with its lake. The park is within the city limits; the themes range from local history and music to local produce and outdoor activities. To plan your visit, you can first decide which of these aspects of Pontotoc you want to shape your stay.
History and Music
The Town Square Post Office and Museum opened in August 1998. The Town Square Post Office is a full-service historic contract post office—a distinctive attraction for travelers interested in the history of postal services. Pontotoc Cemetery was designated a Mississippi Landmark on August 1, 1984. These sites offer different historical connections: the museum’s opening and postal tradition at one location, and the cemetery’s formal landmark designation at the other.
A Mississippi Blues Trail marker in Pontotoc highlights the diverse musical heritage of Pontotoc County. It identifies Ruby Elzy (1908–1943) as having been born in Pontotoc and mentions her appearance in the original Broadway cast of Porgy and Bess. This connects the county’s musical heritage with a specific biography and a birthplace in the city. The marker draws attention to music and a stage career—a different perspective from the post office’s institutional history or the cemetery’s designation.
Market and Park Lake
Only locally grown and made products are sold at the Pontotoc Farmers Market. Most of the produce offered there is harvested in Pontotoc. The local focus applies to the entire selection; the harvest in Pontotoc applies to most of the produce on offer. Since the selection and market practices can change, check current information before planning the market as a fixed part of your itinerary.
Howard Stafford Park is within the city limits of Pontotoc and has an 80-acre lake. Largemouth bass, bream, and catfish have been stocked in the lake. The lake is the park’s scenic centerpiece, giving it a different focus from the museum, cemetery, and blues history.
Golf and Rail Trail
Pontotoc Country Club is about 10 miles east of Pontotoc and has an 18-hole golf course. Golf carts are available to the public; check the current rules before your visit. The Tanglefoot Trail offers a different kind of activity: the paved rail trail is 44.5 miles long, runs through Pontotoc, Union, and Chickasaw counties, and is used for biking, jogging, and walking. The choice comes down to the difference in activities: golf on an 18-hole course or biking, jogging, and walking on a paved rail trail.
Discover more destinations: Thaxton.
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