Okolona, Founded as Rose Hill 1845. Chartered as Okolona in 1850. Named for Chickasaw Indian Brave.

The naming of Okolona by Colonel Josiah N. Walton after the young Indian brave, Okolona, is of interest. Colonel Walton, enroute to Pontotoc Ridge to visit relatives, ahd been told by his friend, Chief Itawambe that the chief's herdsman would direct him further through the cattle trails. The handsome young brave, Oka-laua, in his gay Indian attire with his calm, peaceful manner, made quite an impression on Colonel Walton as he so graciously directed him. Years later, Colonel Walton, then serving as postmaster of a nearby town, Aberdeen, received notice from Washington to change the conflicting name of the young community, Rose Hill. Another community in Mississippi had the name. The postmaster, remembering the pretty name of this handsome Indian with his calm manners, changed Rose Hill to the name meaning "clear, calm, still, limpid water"-Okolona. There is some discrepancy as to the meaning of Oka-laua, with some saying the meaning is peaceful, yellow, or blue water.