Tunica County is named for the Native American tribe and the word means “littler people”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Lee County, Arkansas, Crittenden County, Arkansas and DeSoto County
E – DeSoto County, Tate County and Panola County
S – Quitman County and Coahoma County
W – Phillips County, Arkansas and Lee County, Arkansas
Created: February 9, 1836
County Seat:
Commerce 1836 – 1847
Austin 1847 – 1888
Tunica 1888 – present
County Courthouse – Tunica
Location: 1300 School Street / Court Street
Built: 1922 – 1923
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Frank P Gates Company
Contractor: Blair, Algernon Construction Company
Description: The building faces west and is a two story red-brown colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Tunica. The west front has a projecting center section with central entrance on the first story, which is trimmed with stone and has two stone piasters rising to a horizontal band below the roof line which has a wide cornice with clock above. On the roof are small dormers. The building has a mansard roof. In the interior, the County Circuit Court courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the County Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial District. Behind the building on the east side is the old red colored brick Jail.
See: The 11th Judicial District includes Bolivar County, Coahoma County and Quitman County.
History: The county was created in 1836 and Commerce was selected as the county seat. From 1843 to 1844, the county seat was Peyton due to river flooding. The county seat was moved to Austin in 1847. The first courthouse was built but was burned during the Civil War in 1863. The county used rented premises. The county seat was moved to Tunica in 1888. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1922 to 1923.
County Administration – Tunica
Location: 1058 South Court Street / School Street
Built: 2002 – 2003
Style: Modern
Architect: Wenzel & Associates of Tunica
Contractor: C & M Builders, Inc. of Southaven
Description: The building faces north and is a one story buff colored brick and concrete style structure. The building is located in the center of Tunica. The north front has a large porch supported by columns and rising above the roof line. The eave around the building is fairly wide. The roof line is flat.
County Courthouse – Tunica
County Circuit Court courtroom
Board of Supervisers Meeting Room
County Administration – Tunica
Old County Jail – Tunica
Photos taken 2012
Images 15*