Tishomingo County, formed in 1836, was named for the leading chief of the Chickasaw tribe. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, it is steeped in historical culture and scenic vistas. The legendary Natchez Trace Parkway, the premier highway of the early 1800s and now a modern scenic parkway, runs through the county. The famous mineral springs nestled among giant old trees in Iuka are allegedly the only place on earth where seven totally different springs flow from the same spot. These waters became renowned for their "curative" powers, and due to the arrival of the railroad the area quickly became a mecca for the rich and famous. Unfortunately, the Civil War's bloody Battle of Iuka was fought in 1862, and the burgeoning area was devastated.