Marks, MS

Marks serves as the county seat of Quitman County, tucked right in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Built around a classic century-old courthouse square, the town originally grew as an agricultural and railroad hub and took its name from early settler Leopold Marks. Today, downtown remains the center of everyday activity, bringing local government offices, small shops, and community gatherings together in one easy-to-walk area.

ATTRThomas R Machnitzki (thomas@machnitzki.com) / CC BY 3.0

The community also holds a proud place in civil rights history, best known as the starting point for the 1968 Mule Train that journeyed to Washington as part of the Poor People's Campaign. That deep heritage is visible throughout town today in ongoing preservation efforts, including restorations at the historic Rosenwald School and new cultural trails. For newcomers, Marks offers a quiet, neighborly Delta lifestyle rooted in strong local traditions and a steady, small-town pace.