Polk County Stats

continued... The grand opening of the Wilhelmina Inn occurred on June 22, 1898. The KCPG railroad, facing financial difficulties, sold the lodge to what later became the Kansas City Southern Railroad. The original inn fell into disrepair, and permanently closed in 1910. The State Act 76 of 1957 created Queen Wilhelmina State Park and it was dedicated at the Louise Durham School in Mena with Governor Orval Faubus and Winthrop Rockefeller as the key-note speakers. A new lodge was built and opened June 22, 1963 using some of the original rock work and was in operation for 10 years. On November 10, 1973, a kitchen fire spread, destroying the lodge. A new lodge was then re-opened, in 1975 and is the third to have reigned over this location. The refurbished Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge reopened to the public in 2015, after a $9.6 million renovation and expansion. The lodge was expanded from 25,881 square feet to 37,029 square feet to include the addition of a new hearth room with fireplace. This room boasts an incredible wall of windows which frames the wide open views of the Ouachita Mountains. Today’s Queen Wilhelmina Lodge offers 40 guest rooms, including Queen, King, King with spa tub and gas fireplace, and King Suite choices. Two guest rooms on each floor, at the west end, include gas fireplaces and spa tubs. If it is business accommodations you are looking for, there is an upstairs meeting facility that includes a balcony overlooking the south view from the mountain. When it’s time for a quick break, a wrap-around porch, on the building’s south side, provides guests and visitors with a comfortable outdoor space. Be sure to get fueled up before heading out on your adventure. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed in the Queen’s Restaurant. Enjoy fine Southern fare with world class views. Before you leave, stop by the treasure-filled gift shop. There are many beautiful and unique items to choose from. In addition to the lodge, Queen Wilhelmina State Park encompasses 460 acres, featuring a campground with 41 campsites and a bathhouse. Park campsites, hiking trails and overlooks are just a short walk from the lodge. There are picnic areas, trails, and a seasonal miniature train and mini-golf course. Take advantage of the daily, weekly, and monthly activities to participate in including park interpretive programs that highlight Rich Mountain’s unique fauna and flora. The park is located on Ark. 88 (Talimena National Scenic Byway) 13 miles west of Mena. To plan your adventure, visit the Queen Wilhelmina State Park website at www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/ queen-wilhelmina-state-park or call (877) 879-2741 or (479) 394-2863.

founded in 1844

20,000 approximate population county seat MENA locations on the national historic register 28

862 square miles over 1/2 in the ouachita national forest

6lakes & reservoirs 1 5 rivers2 state parks national scenic byway 383.1 miles of forest service roads 152.4 miles of hiking/biking trails 46.2 miles of atv/utv trails rich mountain 2,861 elevation second tallest in Arkansas 1 airport 1 hospital 13 major employers

with 50-500 employees

1.2 millon visitors each year

∙ ACORN ∙ ALDER SPRINGS ∙ BIG FORK ∙ BOARDCAMP ∙ BOGG SPRINGS ∙ CHERRY HILL ∙ COVE ∙ DALLAS ∙ DUCKETT ∙ EAGLETON ∙ GRANNIS ∙ HARTLEY ∙ HATFIELD ∙ HATTON ∙ HIGHLAND ∙ INK ∙ MENA ∙ MIDWAY ∙ MINERAL SPRINGS ∙ MOUNTAIN FORK ∙ NEW POTTER ∙ NUNLEY ∙ OLD POTTER ∙ OPAL ∙ POSEY HOLLOW ∙ RICH MOUNTAIN ∙ ROCKY ∙ SHADY ∙ SHADY GROVE ∙ VANDERVOORT ∙ WICKES ∙ YOCANA