Mena, Arkansas

File:Mena, Arkansas -1907.jpg

File:Mountain Fork Bridge.jpg.]]

File:Railroad Depot, Mena, Arkansas.jpg

Mena was founded by Arthur Edward Stilwell during the building of the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad (now the Kansas City Southern), which stretched from Kansas City, Missouri, to Port Arthur, Texas. Train service to Mena began in 1896.

Stilwell named the town in honor of Folmina Margaretha Janssen-De Goeijen, the wife of his friend and financier Jan De Goeijen, whom Mr. De Goeijen affectionately called Mena. Janssen Park in the center of Mena is also named for her.

Mena was settled in 1896 and incorporated on September 18 of that year. In 1897, the Bank of Mena was founded. The following year, the county seat was moved from nearby Dallas to Mena. Mena's population had grown to 3,423 by 1900. The main industries of the area were timber, agriculture and mineral extraction, though it was advertised as a spa city located within a healthy environment. Stilwell donated land to the city in 1906, and a park and campground were constructed. In 1910, the railroad moved its shop facilities from Mena to Heavener, Oklahoma. This created a loss of eight hundred jobs. A private school in Mena, Hendrix Academy, closed in 1905.

There were attempts to intimidate early Black settlers into leaving between 1896 and 1898. In 1901, an African-American man accused of kicking a White girl, was removed from the jail, beaten, and hanged. Local citizens posted a reward for the murderers; there were no arrests.{{Cite web |title=Peter Berryman (Lynching of) |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/peter-berryman-8495/ |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209232135/https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/peter-berryman-8495/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=February 21, 1901 |title=Eight masked men lynch a negro at Mena, Arkansas for maltreating a little girl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118317794/eight-masked-men-lynch-a-negro-at-mena/ |access-date=February 9, 2023 |publisher=Journal and Tribune |location=Knoxville, Tennessee}} In the mid-1920s, the town advertised that it had no Negroes.{{Cite web |title=Sundown Town Illustrations |url=https://justice.tougaloo.edu/sundown-towns/sundown-towns-illustrations/ |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=History and Social Justice |publisher=Tougaloo College |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209234147/https://justice.tougaloo.edu/sundown-towns/sundown-towns-illustrations/ |url-status=live }} In the early 1900s, the Black population declined, and Mena became known as a sundown town. In 1920, the Mena Star advertised the city as 100 percent White.{{Cite web |title=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/media/polk-county-%c2%93negro%c2%94-dies-8449/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |language=en-US}}

In 1911, a damaging tornado struck the town.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Mena (Polk County) |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture |url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=959 |last=Lancaster |first=Guy |date=2012 |quote=In 1988, the White House blocked an investigation into the activities at the Mena airport, but on November 8, 1996, the CIA acknowledged running 'a joint training operation with another federal agency' at the airport |access-date=July 19, 2013 |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609031520/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=959 |url-status=live }}

In the 1950s, a government program to stockpile manganese led to the reopening of local mines closed since the 1890s. The program ended in 1959, and the mines again closed.

During the 1980s, drug smuggler Barry Seal moved his operations to the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport, where he owned and operated many planes and helicopters, as well as advanced radar equipment. Seal also flew gun and drug smuggling missions between Mena and Nicaragua as part of a CIA scheme to support the Contras. Local law enforcement claimed that attempts to investigate the operation were blocked by the White House.

On April 9, 2009, a large and violent tornado devastated the town, killing three and injuring thirty.{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2008 |title=Tornado Devastates Small Arkansas Town, Killing 3 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/8449156 |access-date=May 20, 2013 |publisher=Associated Press via The Guardian |location=London |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903061419/https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/dec/09/removed-news-agency-feed-article |url-status=live }} Many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. The Arkansas National Guard was deployed to the affected area. The tornado was rated as a high-end EF3, with winds near {{convert|165|mi/h|abbr=on}}, and damages estimated at $25 million.

Mena is the eastern end of the Talimena Scenic Drive, a route that extends to Talihina, Oklahoma.{{cite web|url= https://www.talimenadrive.com/ |title =Talimena National Scenic Byway|publisher=Talimena Scenic Drive Association|accessdate=April 20, 2025}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|6.8|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|6.7|sqmi|km2}} is land, and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} (0.44%) is water.

Mena's climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters, with precipitation occurring in all seasons. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).{{Cite web |title=Mena, Arkansas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=74257&cityname=Mena,+Arkansas,+United+States+of+America&units= |website=Weatherbase |access-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141703/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=74257&cityname=Mena%2C+Arkansas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= |url-status=live }}

{{Weather box

|width=auto

|location = Mena, Arkansas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1891–present)

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 82

|Feb record high F = 84

|Mar record high F = 90

|Apr record high F = 92

|May record high F = 99

|Jun record high F = 105

|Jul record high F = 110

|Aug record high F = 112

|Sep record high F = 107

|Oct record high F = 100

|Nov record high F = 85

|Dec record high F = 80

|year record high F = 112

|Jan high F = 49.4

|Feb high F = 54.0

|Mar high F = 61.9

|Apr high F = 70.4

|May high F = 77.3

|Jun high F = 85.0

|Jul high F = 89.7

|Aug high F = 89.7

|Sep high F = 83.2

|Oct high F = 72.6

|Nov high F = 60.8

|Dec high F = 51.7

|year high F = 70.5

|Jan mean F = 38.6

|Feb mean F = 42.4

|Mar mean F = 50.0

|Apr mean F = 58.3

|May mean F = 66.7

|Jun mean F = 74.8

|Jul mean F = 78.7

|Aug mean F = 78.0

|Sep mean F = 71.3

|Oct mean F = 60.4

|Nov mean F = 49.3

|Dec mean F = 41.1

|year mean F = 59.1

|Jan low F = 27.7

|Feb low F = 30.9

|Mar low F = 38.2

|Apr low F = 46.2

|May low F = 56.1

|Jun low F = 64.5

|Jul low F = 67.8

|Aug low F = 66.3

|Sep low F = 59.3

|Oct low F = 48.1

|Nov low F = 37.9

|Dec low F = 30.4

|year low F = 47.8

|Jan record low F = −10

|Feb record low F = −15

|Mar record low F = 6

|Apr record low F = 21

|May record low F = 31

|Jun record low F = 44

|Jul record low F = 48

|Aug record low F = 47

|Sep record low F = 34

|Oct record low F = 20

|Nov record low F = 13

|Dec record low F = -7

|year record low F = −15

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.99

|Feb precipitation inch = 4.08

|Mar precipitation inch = 5.51

|Apr precipitation inch = 6.20

|May precipitation inch = 7.22

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.48

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.96

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.05

|Sep precipitation inch = 4.71

|Oct precipitation inch = 5.29

|Nov precipitation inch = 5.58

|Dec precipitation inch = 5.36

|year precipitation inch = 61.43

|Jan snow inch = 0.8

|Feb snow inch = 1.8

|Mar snow inch = 0.8

|Apr snow inch = 0.0

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.0

|Dec snow inch = 0.6

|year snow inch = 4.0

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10.2

|Feb precipitation days = 10.1

|Mar precipitation days = 11.0

|Apr precipitation days = 10.1

|May precipitation days = 11.3

|Jun precipitation days = 9.8

|Jul precipitation days = 9.8

|Aug precipitation days = 8.4

|Sep precipitation days = 8.2

|Oct precipitation days = 8.8

|Nov precipitation days = 9.5

|Dec precipitation days = 10.1

|year precipitation days = 117.3

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 0.6

|Feb snow days = 0.7

|Mar snow days = 0.3

|Apr snow days = 0.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 0.5

|year snow days = 2.1

|source 1 = NOAA{{Cite web |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |url=http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lzk |access-date=June 21, 2021 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509021411/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lzk |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Station: Mena, AR |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00034756&format=pdf |access-date=June 21, 2021 |website=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205354/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00034756&format=pdf |url-status=live }}

}}

{{US Census population

|1900= 3423

|1910= 3953

|1920= 3441

|1930= 3118

|1940= 3510

|1950= 4445

|1960= 4388

|1970= 4530

|1980= 5154

|1990= 5475

|2000= 5637

|2010= 5737

|2020= 5589

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=June 4, 2015 |publisher=Census.gov |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live }}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,589 people, 2,341 households, and 1,420 families residing in the city.

As of the census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov/ |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-date=December 27, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/http://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }} of 2000, there were 5,637 people, 2,431 households, and 1,546 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|836.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,771 housing units at an average density of {{convert|411.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.91% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. About 2.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,431 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. Of all households 33.7% were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24, and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females, age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,671, and the median income for a family was $30,164. Males had a median income of $23,665 versus $18,472 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,710. About 12.1% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.

The local newspaper is the weekly The Mena Star. The Southwest Times Record, based in Fort Smith, is also sold in Mena and covers both the news of the state and the Arkansas River Valley. A statewide daily, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, based in Little Rock, is distributed there too.

The big four television stations in Mena are KFSM (CBS), KHBS (ABC), KNWA (NBC) and KFTA (Fox). KARK (NBC, Little Rock) is also available on cable, dating from the times when KNWA's signal did not reach Mena. KNWA is available over-the-air via a digital sub-channel and on satellite.

KXI97 (sometimes referred to as "Mena All Hazards") is a NOAA Weather Radio station that serves Mena.

Mena now has a tabloid circular, The Polk County Pulse, owned by KENA Radio. This is distributed free of charge in Mena, coming out each Wednesday.

A monthly historical journal is also published in Mena, Looking Glass Ouachita Magazine. The monthly is distributed digitally as well as via special editions at local gift shops and restaurants.

Public education for elementary and secondary school students is available from two school districts:"[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st05_ar/c05113_polk/DC10SD_C05113_001.pdf SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Polk County, AR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210200113/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st05_ar/c05113_polk/DC10SD_C05113_001.pdf |date=December 10, 2021 }}." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 23, 2018.

• Mena School District, which includes Mena High School
• Ouachita River School District, which includes Acorn High School in Acorn; it was recognized as a 2012 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools: Highlights From the First-Ever Honorees |url=https://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/highlights-2012.doc |access-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-date=September 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903061306/https://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/highlights-2012.doc |url-status=live }}
• Previously that section of Mena was in the Acorn School District."[https://web.archive.org/web/20051113045540/http://argis.ualr.edu/arkansas_school_districts.pdf Arkansas School Districts]." University of Arkansas at Little Rock. October 27, 2004. Retrieved on May 24, 2018. This map reflects the state of school districts prior to 2004 since the Acorn and Oden districts merged in 2004. Compare this map to the [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st05_ar/c05113_polk/DC10SD_C05113_001.pdf U.S. Census Bureau school district map of 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210200113/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/sch_dist/st05_ar/c05113_polk/DC10SD_C05113_001.pdf |date=December 10, 2021 }}"[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_000.pdf CENSUS 2000 BLOCK MAP: MENA City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903061306/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_000.pdf |date=September 3, 2024 }}." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 24, 2018. Pages: [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_001.pdf 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903061306/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_001.pdf |date=September 3, 2024 }}, [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_002.pdf 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903061307/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_002.pdf |date=September 3, 2024 }}, [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_003.pdf 3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824021045/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_003.pdf |date=August 24, 2017 }}, and [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_004.pdf 4] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903061307/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st05_Arkansas/Place/0545170_Mena/CBP0545170_004.pdf |date=September 3, 2024 }}. The Ouachita River School District was established by the merger of the Acorn School District and the Oden School District on July 1, 2004."[https://web.archive.org/web/20150912013154/http://www.arkansased.gov/public/userfiles/Legal/ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls ConsolidationAnnex_from_1983.xls]." Arkansas Department of Education. Retrieved on May 23, 2018.

• Commonwealth College was once located at the base of Rich Mountain and was known for its ties to socialism, as well as for being the one-time college of Orval Faubus, former governor of Arkansas.
• Rich Mountain Community College is located in Mena. In 2015, RMCC was accepted into the University of Arkansas network. The two-year post-secondary institution is now known as UA Rich Mountain.

File:US 59 and US 71 in Mena, Arkansas.jpg

The city is served by Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport. Intercity bus service is provided by Jefferson Lines.{{Cite web |title=Arkansas Bus Stops |url=https://www.jeffersonlines.com/bus-stops/arkansas/ |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606072111/https://www.jeffersonlines.com/bus-stops/arkansas/ |url-status=live }} Mena is served by US 71 and US 59. They are both concurrent throughout Mena. Interstate 49 is planned to bypass Mena on the eastside.

• Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative is a non-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in Mena.
• Within the city limits, electricity is provided by the Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO).

• The city is served by Mena Regional Health System.

• Nate Bell, former member of Arkansas House of Representatives{{Cite web |date=2013 |title=Nate Bell, R-20 |url=http://www.arkansashouse.org/member/256/nate-bell |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228121250/http://www.arkansashouse.org/member/256/nate-bell |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 28, 2011 |publisher=Arkansas House of Representatives}}
• Edwin L. Cox, businessman and philanthropist
• Norris "Tuffy" Goff, comedian and radio actor, played Abner Peabody in the Lum and Abner radio and television programs (born in Cove, Arkansas, raised in Mena)
• Chester Lauck, half of the Lum and Abner comedy pair; played Columbus "Lum" Edwards
• Herbert A. Littleton, Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Korean War
• Dennis L. Montgomery, software designer who sold millions of dollars of useless software to the US government
• Marcus Richmond, Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 21 in multi-county region; born in Mena in 1956{{Cite web |title=Marcus Richmond's Biography |url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/135653/marcus-richmond#.VRytGPl4rGY |access-date=April 1, 2015 |publisher=Project Vote Smart |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140141/http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/135653/marcus-richmond#.VRytGPl4rGY |url-status=live }}
• Barry Seal, pilot, businessman and drug smuggler
• Dorothy Shaver, first female president of a major Fifth Avenue store
• Mike Simpson, NFL player
• Olin E. Teague, longtime Texas's 6th congressional district representative; born in Oklahoma, but reared in Mena
• T. Texas Tyler, country singer ("The Deck of Cards")

• List of sundown towns in the United States

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Mena, Arkansas}}

{{Americana Poster|Mena}}

• {{Official website|http://www.cityofmena.org/}}

{{Polk County, Arkansas}}

{{Arkansas county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Arkansas

Category:Cities in Polk County, Arkansas

Category:County seats in Arkansas

Category:1896 establishments in Arkansas

Category:Populated places established in 1896

Category:Sundown towns in Arkansas