The Queen is Back by The Pulse

JULY 1, 2015

YOUR STAY STAY AT AT THE THE YOUR

AWAITS “Castle in the Clouds” AWAITS Welcome Back to the Beloved Queen Wilhelmina

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Queen Wilhelmina Ofﬁcially Reopens July 1, 2015

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MENA’S DOWNTOWN: The Gateway to the Queen

A Special Supplement of

The Polk County

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MyPulseNews.com

The Lodging Legacy of Queen Wilhelmina

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Photo by Don Kelley | © PULSE MULTI-MEDIA

Congratulations to the Queen! MenaPolkChamber.com

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524 Sherwood Ave., Mena secretary@menapolkchamber.com

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We welcome your visitors to Mena/Polk County! County!

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

Welcoming back the beloved Queen Wilhelmina… Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say, and that has certainly been the case since the Queen closed her doors in 2012 to begin her multi-million dollar facelift. Elation came when it was first announced that the Queen’s turn had finally arrived for a long-overdue remodel and expansion and as the project’s completion drew out longer than expected, the community quickly felt the results of the Queen’s absence. While we all probably thought we understood the importance of her as our crown-jewel, it has been in her absence that her importance has been magnified. We have all been able to be a part of history as we watch this iconic symbol be transformed into the incredible hostelry as she stands today… still claiming her rightful place as our “Castle in the Clouds.” The Queen is responsible for making many memories among locals and the generations of families and friends who make their annual journey here to enjoy her hospitality. She is responsible for many uprooting and leaving their homes and jobs to move closer to her and enjoy the quaint Arkansas town that serves as her gateway, Mena. Whether you are blessed to be one of the locals who grew up at the foot of the Queen or if you are one of those “transplants,” the Queen holds a very special place in all of our hearts… as evidenced by all of the local businesses and individuals that quickly jumped on board to help us congratulate the Queen! It is a privilege for us at Pulse Multi-Media to produce this full color commemorative issue that serves to not only honor our Queen but showcase our community who is very proud to welcome her return.

LeAnn Dilbeck Editor-in-Chief

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“My heart swells with pride in seeing the re-opening of Mena’s beloved Queen Wilhelmina!”

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July 1, 2015

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

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Welcome Back to the Queen!

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

July 1, 2015

BY MELANIE BUCK The much anticipated reopening of the majestic Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge on the awe-inspiring 2,681-foot Rich Mountain, Arkansas’ second highest peak, has officially arrived. State Parks Director Greg Butts announced the new opening date of July 1, 2015 to local media in early June who were allowed to get some of the first tours and photos. No attention to detail was spared and is guaranteed to make a stay at the Queen much more than lodging, it will be a genuine memorable experience. The Queen’s extensive facelift and renovation cost an estimated $9.6 million. “The improvements to this lodge that was opened by the state of Arkansas in 1975 should receive rave reviews when it reopens,” said Butts. He noted the lodge features all new larger windows that frame the breathtaking views from Rich Mountain of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. Butts emphasized, “Enjoying the panoramic scenery from the mountain is an important part of the Queen Wilhelmina State Park experience. Our visitors are going to enjoy the more wide open views from all the lodge’s public rooms, including the restaurant and all the guest rooms.” njoying the panoramic scenery Executive Director of Arkansas Parks and Tourism, Richard Davies is pleased with from the mountain is an important part of the final product of the enormous project. the Queen Wilhelmina State Park experiIn a statement to Pulse Multi-Media he said, “This place is transformed. It is so much difence. Our visitors are going to enjoy the ferent than the old one because you can see more wide open views from all the lodge’s out. It is very airy, it is very open, from the meeting rooms to the guest rooms and the lobpublic rooms, including the restaurant by. It takes advantage of where you are. I think and all the guest rooms.” the architect, the staff, and the contractor have done a great job. The people will like Queen Wilhelmina Lodge.”

REOPENING JULY 1, 2015

“E

- GREG BUTTS

CONT ON PAGE 5A

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July 1, 2015

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

The exterior of the lodge features shingles and stonework. The lodge was expanded from 25,881 square feet to 37,029 square feet to include the addition of a new hearth room with wood-burning fireplace, two additional guest rooms increasing the total to 40, and more space within all the rooms. Two guest rooms on each floor at the west end include gas fireplaces and spa tubs. Three are barrier-free to meet the needs of visitors with disabilities. They include Queen, King, King with spa tub and gas fireplace, and King Suite choices. The new larger rooms will be able to accommodate a multitude of guests and groups and many have already begun to reserve their rooms. As of June, the Queen had already received registrations for 45 groups between July and December of this year. For perspective, it takes a reservation of 10 or more rooms to qualify as a group, equaling a minimum of 450 rooms that have already been reserved for the remainder of 2015. The upstairs meeting facility increased in size and includes a balcony overCONT ON PAGE 6A looking the gorgeous south view from the mountain.

“This place is transformed. It is so much different than the

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Proud to Celebrate the reopening of the

Queen Wilhelmina Lodge A very special thank you to the many agencies, legislators, and officials who supported this $9.6 million dollar investment into west-central Arkansas. We applaud your efforts and your vision!

old one because you can see out. It is very airy, it is very open, from the meeting rooms to the guest rooms and the lobby. It takes advantage of where you are.” - RICHARD DAVIES © PULSE MULTI-MEDIA | PHOTO BY DON KELLEY | 479-243-5885

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

July 1, 2015

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tradition on Rich Mountain. The just completed $9.6 million renovation of this facility is what will greet visitors and guests when the lodge reopens on July 1. To make reservations, visit Queen Wilhelmina.com or call 1-800-264-2477. e are continuing Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge is one of the four hotel-like lodges in the Arkansas State Park system. The others are historic the hotel business here, now Mather Lodge at Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton, DeGray Lake Resort State Park Lodge near Arkadelphia, and The Lodge at Mount Magazine in Mount Magazine State Park near Paris. spanning three different cenQueen Wilhelmina State Park is one of the 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. In addition to the lodge, the 460-acre park includes a campturies and here we are today. ground with 41 campsites and a bathhouse; picnic areas; trails; and a We’re in the memory busiseasonal miniature train and mini-golf course. Park interpretive ness and the forever business. programs highlight Rich Mountain’s fauna and unique flora. Jon Brown, Manager of Operations, Arkansas State Folks come to state parks in Parks and Tourism, said, “The staff has worked trementhe pursuit of happiness. In dously hard to get this place open for the general public and they’ve done a great job. It’s an outstanding facility and the constitution it talks about I think everyone is going to enjoy it. It’s a showcase in the the pursuit of happiness and community and we are all impressed and proud to have it.” that’s what state parks are.” Arkansas State Parks Director Greg Butts Greg Butts summed up the majesty of the e’re all busy, going lodge by saying, “I think what you see 100 miles per hour and parks is a first class facility. It’s all about the beautiful views, about the special times, and special places like Queen Wilhelmina. We are continuing the hotel business here, now spanning three different centuries and here we are are a place to come reconnect today. We’re in the memory business and the forever business. Folks come to state parks in the pursuit of happiness. In the constituwith history, the natural envition it talks about the pursuit of happiness and that’s what state parks are. We’re all busy, going 100 miles per hour and parks are ronment, and outdoor spaces. a place to come reconnect with history, the natural environment, and outdoor spaces. It’s about special places, special times, and special people.” It’s about special places, special The park is on Ark. 88 (Talimena National Scenic Byway) 13 miles west of Mena. [For an alternate route from Mena or during times, and special people.” inclement weather, go six miles north on U.S 71, then travel nine miles west on U.S. 270, then go two miles south up Ark. 272.] Reservations may be made by calling 479-394-2863 or online at www.QueenWilhelmina.com. Greg Butts

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July 1, 2015

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

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Gateway to the Queen MENA’S DOWNTOWN IS THE

BY LEANN DILBECK Mena’s impressive revitalization continues as new stores continue opening in what were once vacant buildings and all are in great anticipation of the Queen’s July 1st 2015 reopening. Mena Street serves as the gateway to the scenic Talimena National Byway that leads directly to the Queen’s front door and gives guests and locals a plethora of cultural, shopping, and dining opportunities. Much of the revitalization can be attributed to the visions of the Arkansas Regional Coalition of the Ouachitas who actively began spearheading the campaign in 2011. The final block of Mena Street is slated to receive the beautiful lampposts and sidewalks that adorn the remainder of this historic street, all adding to the overall experience of visiting Queen Wilhelmina and Mena. Flanked by Sherwood Avenue and DeQueen Street, the shopping and dining are not excluded to Mena Street alone but encompasses several blocks on either side of Hwy 71. Unlike many rural downtown areas that are struggling to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10A

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

July 1, 2015

compete with the construction of outlet malls and promenades, Mena’s downtown is reviving and thriving with new additions of antique stores, flea markets, and ladies’ boutiques. A budding arts district continues to grow and has launched a new Ouachita Arts Celebration that is expected to become one of the area’s premiere events, attracting artisans and viewers from far and wide. Mena Street is steep in tradition too, with a number of businesses who have witnessed both the decline and the revitalization first hand. Guests and locals alike will quickly tell you that no visit is complete without dining at the Skyline Café that first opened its doors in 1922, and has been featured in numerous state and national publications. In the center of it all is Coast to Coast Home & Hardware store that has been delivering personalized service 7 days a week since 1946. Or you can check out the south end of Mena Street for Washburn’s Home Furnishings that has been serving the local area for over 75 years. Also in the heart of downtown Mena is the historic Mena Depot Center, a restored KCS Depot, which has also recently received much needed roof repairs. The Depot serves as a local museum, housing local history, and includes a room of Lum & Abner memorabilia and the famous Ouachita Portrait collection by local artist Monta Black Philpot. During various times of the year, downtown Mena is the host to large-scale events ranging from the arts, street dances, festivals, and car shows. This year will mark the 40th annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run, founded by the late Mark Campbell of Street & Performance, and is responsible for bringing 200-300 high-end antique cars and street rods into downtown and to the Queen each August. Simply put, no visit to see the Queen is complete without a day or two exploring all that downtown Mena has to offer!

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July 1, 2015

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

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The Lodging Legacy of Queen Wilhelmina The beginning of this lodging tradition high atop Arkansas’s second highest mountain is rooted in the 1890’s when railroad expansion was big business in this country. Arthur Stilwell, vice president of the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad (KCP&G) decided to build the first north-south railroad, a route from Kansas City, Missouri to Port Arthur, Texas, to provide rail access to the Gulf of Mexico. This brought the railroad’s route through Arkansas, and inevitably the Ouachita Mountains, the southernmost of the stat’s two mountain ranges. During the routing of the tracks through the valleys of the rugged Ouachitas, a flat area near the top of 2,681-foot Rich Mountain was discovered. This windswept, mountaintop location was brought to the attention of the investors of the KCP&G, many of whom were Dutch, as a site to build a resort retreat featuring a grand hostelry to entice railroad patrons to travel the rails. The luxurious hostelry of Victorian splendor was constructed of native stone and timber at a cost of $100,000. Illuminated by carbide lights, the inn made for a glorious site as carriages topped Rich Mountain from the train stop at the base of the mountain’s north side. Thirty-five guest rooms graced the second floor with at least four water closets to serve the guests. Maids and cooks were housed above on the third floor. The glorious first floor was the place to socialize. An especially beautiful setting was the dining room which, when converted to a ballroom, seated 300 people. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was to be crowned in September 1898. Since the railroad was largely financed by Dutch interest, the magnificent resort retreat for passengers on the line was called “Wilhelmina Inn” to honor the young queen. A suite of rooms was located in the southeast corner of the second floor and named for Wilhelmina in the vain hope she would visit. The grand opening was June 22, 1898. Soon Wilhelmina Inn became Known as the “Castle in the Sky.” The grandeur of this mountaintop inn with its breathtaking scenery, fine accommodations, and exquisite service, however, was to last only a few short years. Less than three years after the inn’s opening, the KCP&G, facing enormous financial troubles, was sold to what is now the Kansas City Southern Railroad. With the VISIONMENA.COM new owners in place, the inn was abandoned by its former owners to languish into disrepair. Although the inn did not close permanently until 1910, its heyday had quickly come to an end. The building soon fell into decay. By the 1930’s, only remnants of the original structure’s stone fences fireplaces remained, standing as stark silhouettes against the sky. The year 1940 brought a brief respite and CONCLUDED ON PAGE 12A

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THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

renewed hope for the desolate remains. Earnest Rolston, a professor from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, decided to create a summer music school using a portion of the inn. The idea was good, but unfortunately the timing was not. The beginning of World War II in 1941 ended any further attempt to restore the ruins. After the decade of the 40’s, the 1950’s brought renewal into sight. The war years had brought travel awareness to the many men and women who had served in the Armed Forces. The birth of America’s travel and tourism industry was on the horizon. In light of this, State Senator Landers Morrow and other community leaders created Resolution 17 to create a new Arkansas state park on the site where Wilhelmina Inn once reigned over the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. Act 76 was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly in 1957. Plans were soon underway to construct a new state park lodge on the site of the original inn. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the second inn opened its doors on June 22, 1962. Although less grand than the original hostelry, this lodge contained 17 guest rooms and a restaurant. Gracing the same site as the first inn, the second structure was built with some of the rockwork still remaining from its predecessor. Operated for 10 years by the State of Arkansas, the facility was a popular travel attraction until the evening of November 10, 1973, when a fire that began in the kitchen area destroyed it. There was no loss of life, but the building was totally destroyed. To carry on the tradition atop Rich Mountain, Arkansas State Parks lost no time in constructing a new lodge on OKLAHOMAHISTORY.NET the same site. The $3 million state park lodge was opened in 1975 and reamined so until 2012 when the doors closed for the $9.6 million restoration. Today, this lodge is the crowning attraction of Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Within walking distance of the lodge are the park’s campground with 41 sties and a modern bathhouse, a playground, the park amphitheater, and hiking trails. Open seasonally are a miniature train and mini-golf course (admission fees apply) Queen Wilhelmina State Park is a cloud-capped hideaway in the cool mountain breezes MEMBER of summer or the blaze of fall colors in autumn. It is a winter wonderland or the magic of spring. Come experience the panoramic scenery at this Arkansas getaway high atop 2,681foot Rich Mountain, Arkansas’s second highest peak.

July 1, 2015

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