fossis
Gold Member
- Jan 5, 2007
- 7,837
- 96
- Detector(s) used
- Whites Prizm 11 & White's XLT
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
The No Show Queen
On the top of Rich Mt. in Western AR, is a beautiful lodge & State Park, it is named in honor of 'Gueen Wilhelmina' of Holland.
The lodge idea started with Edwin Walters while surveying for the K. C. Pittsburgh & Gulf RR, he noticed the clear sparkling springs, clean mt. air, & beautiful view, so he got the V.P. of the RR intrested, (Arthur Stilwell). The Mt. top had been settled by the 1860's, & had a small community there allready.
During the economic slowdown, (panic of 1893), Stillwell traveled overseas to secure more funding to build a lodge, he got the backing of several wealthy Dutch businessmen, so many towns & eventually the lodge were named for The Dutch Gueen.
They started with a large 'circus tent', then built a stone & timber lodge, complete with two fireplaces, three storys, dining room for 300, with a 'Royal Suite in case the Queen came for a visit', (she never came).
It prospered for three years, fell into disrepair, was used later for homes, a
college, then closed again.
Later, Mena businessmen rebuilt the lodge, only to have it burn in 1973, then the present lodge was built, (Mena is also named for the Gueen), spelling is different, it is in the valley East of the lodge.
Fossis............
On the top of Rich Mt. in Western AR, is a beautiful lodge & State Park, it is named in honor of 'Gueen Wilhelmina' of Holland.
The lodge idea started with Edwin Walters while surveying for the K. C. Pittsburgh & Gulf RR, he noticed the clear sparkling springs, clean mt. air, & beautiful view, so he got the V.P. of the RR intrested, (Arthur Stilwell). The Mt. top had been settled by the 1860's, & had a small community there allready.
During the economic slowdown, (panic of 1893), Stillwell traveled overseas to secure more funding to build a lodge, he got the backing of several wealthy Dutch businessmen, so many towns & eventually the lodge were named for The Dutch Gueen.
They started with a large 'circus tent', then built a stone & timber lodge, complete with two fireplaces, three storys, dining room for 300, with a 'Royal Suite in case the Queen came for a visit', (she never came).
It prospered for three years, fell into disrepair, was used later for homes, a
college, then closed again.
Later, Mena businessmen rebuilt the lodge, only to have it burn in 1973, then the present lodge was built, (Mena is also named for the Gueen), spelling is different, it is in the valley East of the lodge.
Fossis............
, hope you are having fun!
RR
