the establishment of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, this route was initially designated as part of US 72, a U.S. route that was to run from Memphis, Tennessee east to Chattanooga, Tennessee. However, the route was instead designated as part of US 78 by 1928, at which time it was a gravel road. By 1932, US 72 and US 78 switched routes in Mississippi, with the present-day alignment of MS 172 again becoming part of US 72 as initially planned in 1926. In 1935, the road was paved to the east of Iuka. The paved portion was extended slightly west of Iuka in 1936 and further west by 1938. By 1939, the section of US 72 that would be redesignated as MS 172 was fully paved. In 1986, US 72 was moved to a new divided highway alignment to the south through Tishomingo County. By 1998, MS 172 was marked on the former two-lane alignment of US 72 in Tishomingo County. Major intersections See also References External links 172 Transportation in Tishomingo County, Mississippi U.S. Route 72 U.S. Route 78