Built on the site of a Chickasaw Indian village, the quaint city of Iuka (pronounced eye-you-ka), Mississippi, was founded in 1857 by wagon-train scout David Hubbard and is the county seat of Tishomingo County. Still visible today, Native American and Civil War history abounds in the town and surrounding area which are steeped in rich history and culture. The bloody Battle of Iuka, fought just five miles southwest of town on the highest point in Mississippi, Woodall Mountain, saw 1,500 dead or wounded soldiers.
The main street of Iuka, a short distance from its award-winning mineral springs, was built across from the train depot. With Jaybird Park in between, it makes a perfect setting for a car show. The Wheels of Northeast Mississippi Car Club hosted its 33rd Annual event in conjunction with the Iuka Heritage Festival in nearby Mineral Springs Park. The one-day show draws collector cars from the surrounding region mostly for its small-town flavor, but the $3,000 cash door prizes provide a little extra incentive. Proceeds go to local charities and an automotive scholarship.
Canceled in 2020 due to Covid, the 2021 version of the show saw a terrific turnout on a Chamber-of-Commerce, picture-perfect day. The main street was quickly overwhelmed with street rods, hot rods, and other vehicles you don’t see every day. By 9:00 am, the street was packed with participants and spectators enjoying the glint of chrome from yesteryear. More than 300 vehicles jammed every nook and cranny of the downtown area. For a small-town show, the quality of the cars was outstanding whether they were restored originals or hot-rodded race cars.
Wheels of NMCC likes to focus on camaraderie within the hobby. Instead of being a judged event with a bunch of classes and trophies, it gives away a few specialty awards such as Mayor’s Choice and People’s Choice. Then the fun really begins around 1:00 pm when they randomly draw participant numbers to receive cash door prizes to end the show. If you live in the region or are looking for a nice day trip next year, think about putting the Wheels of Northeast Mississippi Car Club show on your list!
New or old didn’t matter. Car enthusiasts from all over the region shined up their rides to line them up and down the main street.
Downtown Iuka looks like a scene from the turn of the century — a perfect setting for a car show on a picture-perfect day!
Built near a mineral spring that won First prize for the purest and best mineral water at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Iuka has plenty of old sites to peruse.
