Holly Springs, Mississippi

This small town in the northwest portion of the state was voted 2007’s Best Off-Beat Destination by Mississippi Magazine readers. A short drive from Memphis, Tennessee, Holly Springs is the site of a number of well-preserved antebellum homes and other structures and has a strong tradition of historic preservation. Holly Springs is the site of Rust College, the second-oldest private college in the state. It is a historically black liberal arts college established in 1866 by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Strawberry Plains National Audubon Sanctuary and Education Center is located in this small town. Near town is the Holly Springs National Forest. Chewalla Lake and the National Forest comprise of over 150,000 acres with three developed campgrounds, miles of walking trails, bike trails and a large swimming area. Holly Springs is the county seat of Marshall County.