In Vicksburg, Mississippi, several outdated city ordinances from as far back as 1959 remain officially on the books, reflecting historical concerns that seem quaint today. Among these curious laws is a prohibition against wrapping barbed wire around trees or using it as fencing near city streets and sidewalks, aimed at protecting pedestrians and property. Another ordinance forbids placing slippery substances like banana or orange peelings on sidewalks to prevent accidents.

Though these regulations may now appear amusing, they offer a window into the city’s past priorities and cautionary measures. Vicksburg’s city code serves as a living archive, preserving these peculiar rules that reveal the character and concerns of an earlier era, even as modern life has evolved beyond them.