Take A Stroll Through History

Polk County as we know it was organized on November 30, 1844. In the 1830’s, the first white settlers made their way into the area settling in the areas now know as Potter, Rocky, and Hatfield. The original county seat was Dallas, but in 1898 it was moved to Mena, a new settlement built by and for the Kansas City Pittsburgh & Gulf Railroad, later called the Kansas City Southern (KCS).

The town of Mena was officially established on August 19, 1896 and was the brainchild of Arthur Stillwell who had a dream to build a railroad, as straight as the crow flies, from Kansas City, Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico. His project was backed by an investor from Amsterdam, Jan DeGoeijen. Mena gets its name from DeGoeijen’s wife, Folmina “Mena” Margaretha Janssen DeGoeijen. Janssen Park was named for her father and many streets througout the county derive their names from either the connection to this foreign partner or the destinations along the railroad itself.

One of Mena’s most recognizable landmarks, the cabin in Janssen Park is older than the town itself. The log structure was built in 1853 by William Shelton and has long stood as a symbol of perseverance and strength alongside the many settlers that struggled to survive in the rugged and wild Ouachita Mountains. It has served as a home, hospital, inn, club house, civic center, a museum, a city hall, and it was rumored that Jesse James and his gang used the cabin for shelter on several occaisions. Janssen Park was also created as part of Stilwell’s plan and with help from the KCS Railroad, its swamps were turned into ponds. The spring which feeds the ponds was a source of drinking water for the newly established town and in 1918, Father Gallagher from St. Agnes Catholic Church was appointed “Park Commissioner” and turned the 10 acre parcel into a beautiful place for the citizens to enjoy.

Notable individuals from the area include Chet Lauck and

Norris Goff of Lum & Abner fame, Dorothy Shaver, the first female president of Lord & Taylor, T. Texas Tyler, renowned country music singer, and Paul Tyrone Lewis, renowned artist.

The current depot was constructed in 1920 and replaced the original wooden structure. The Historic KCS Depot is still in use today and serves as a visitor’s center, museum, and houses the Mena Polk County Chamber of Commerce as well as the Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission. Mena’s history is housed here, and it is well worth a visit to delve deeper into the rich and storied past of Mena and Polk County.

Stop by the Visitor’s Center & Historic KCS Depot Museum at 524 Sherwood Avenue.