It was also unusual for an individual to research and present the listings. Usually this was done by a member of the Historic Preservation Program. Again, I didn't want to pass the buck, I wanted Mena to benefit from the publicity. The five properties are listed to the left of this page and a short history of each is given. Each has been written about in detail in my publication, The Mountain Signal.
Preservation is an important part of a town's growth.
Too often as shopping centers and freeways are constructed the old buildings are sacrificed in the name of progress. Real progress, in my opinion, is learning to live with the old and grow with the new in harmony. I hope you agree. Janssen Park, the Shaver House, the Polk County Court House, and the Mountain Fork Bridge were listed on the National Register by others who also have an interest in preservation. I hope if you live in Polk County you will support preservation.