USA Today’s Best Small Town in Louisiana – Y’all Sure About That?

You are probably very familiar with the newspaper USA Today. It's been "the nation's" newspaper since 1982. It's owned and operated by Gannet. They own several newspapers that operate in Louisiana that you're probably familiar with as well. They, USA Today, also publishes an annual list of The Best Small Towns in the South. And while we respect their right to have and share an opinion we think maybe they got this one wrong.

What is USA Today's Best Small Town in the South?

According to USA Today the best small town in the South is Starkville, Mississippi. I will give you a minute to clean up that coffee you just spit out of your mouth. Stark Vegas as it's known to those of us who have endured a few days there was recognized by USA Today for its vibrant downtown entertainment area, ample shopping and dining, and many historic points of interest.

As a point of reference, I grew up in Starkville, Mississippi. It was known as "Starvation Patch" because of the lack of restaurants. They used to only sell beer "hot" in grocery stores. The only "historical place" that I can recall is that spot on US Highway 82 near the former Plantation Bell Motor Lodge where Johnny Cash was arrested for allegedly picking flowers in his underwear in the middle of the night.

Many fans of LSU who travel to games at Mississippi State, which is in Starkville, can attest to the "luxury" that is Starkville. But as hard as it is to swallow Starkville Mississippi as the Best Small Town in the South, did you see what community USA Today chose to be Louisiana's Best Small Town?

One other conundrum that doesn't make sense in the selection of Starkville as the Best Small Town in the South. The same newspaper, USA Today surveyed Best Small College Towns and that honor went to Oxford, Mississippi, the home of Ole Miss the bitter rivals of Mississippi State and Starkville. I am sure the folks at USA Today will have some explaining to do.

And for the people of Starkville who run the town's "Visit Us" website. You might want to rethink that slogan of "Mississippi's College Town" if Ole Miss is already whipping you in that arena. Something to consider, okay?

Louisiana's Best Small Town is Known for Ducks and Facial Hair

On the USA Today list of Best Small Towns in the South there was a Louisiana town that was included. It came in at Number 4 on the list behind Starkville, Mississippi, Batesville Arkansas, and Thomasville Georgia. And the town known for ducks and facial hair that appears at number four on the list? West Monroe, Louisiana.

West Monroe is known for its connection to Duck Dynasty the TV show and the Roberston Family that brought it all to light. The town is "home to more than 100 locally owned restaurants, an abundance of shops, and endless ways to enjoy the outdoors", at least that's the word from TourLouisiana.com.

What Other Towns Made the Best Small Town in the South List?

West Monroe, Louisiana was number four. Rounding out USA Today's Top Ten list were Maysville Kentucky, and Murrells Inlet, South Carolina to round out the Top Six. The bottom four of the top ten were Sevierville, Tennessee, Abington Virginia, Brevard North Carolina, and Fairmont West Virginia.