How Mena got its name

Arthur Stilwel chose the name Mena for this new town along the route to Port Arthur, Texas.

He named it in honor of his dear friend and financier Jan DeGeoijen's wife, Folmina Margaretha Janssen DeGeoijen, whom Mr. DeGeoijen lovingly referred to as Mena.

It was Mena's father for whom Janssen Park was named, as well as the town of Janssen. Later, Janssen had its name changed to Vandervoort (Mr. Janssen's wife's maiden name.)   The change was required by the postmaster because there was already a town in Arkansas named Jansen and the mail was continually getting mixed up.