The Towns

MENA, ARKANSAS: The town of Mena was born in 1896 with the arrival of the Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCSR). A tent city of 5,000 grew almost overnight. The town was named for Mena DeGoiejen, the wife of one of the Dutch investors in the railroad.

Mena, the county seat of Polk County, is located at the east end of the Talimena Scenic drive. The 6,500 resident community has poultry, farming, timber, tourist and aeronautical industries. Among its many assets include Rich Mountain Community College and a hospital offering an extensive medical community. Mena is a popular retirement community and offers visitors many outdoor opportunities with Cossatot River State Park and Ouachita National Forest in its backyard. Plenty of restaurants, hotels, and antique stores are perks, too.

TALIHINA, OKLAHOMA: Located at the western end of the Ouachita Mountains lies a small rural community of 1,300 residents. Talihina's western atmosphere is compliments of the farming and ranching industries. Located in the Kiamichi Valley, the community offers visitors several restaurants, motels, convenience marts, a grocery store and a plethora of outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing.

HEAVENER, OKLAHOMA: Heavener is just north of Cedar Lake Recreation Area and east of Wister Lake State Park. Major employers include a feed mill and the Kansas City Southern Railroad (KCSR). The 2,800 residents are also supported by a large poultry industry.

The friendly, outgoing community offers a variety of restaurants, convenience marts and grocery stores. Free concerts are popular at the Lamplight Theater as well as the trails of Rune Stone State Park.

POTEAU, OKLAHOMA: Poteau is featured in the book The Best Small Towns in America by Norton Crampton. Just north of Heavener and southwest of Fort Smith, AR, this full-service community boasts a well-developed downtown shopping area including restaurants and motels. The Wortz factory and Applied Energy Services Cogeneration are major employers of the 10,000 residents as well as a hospital and diverse farming industry.

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