Polk County, Arkansas: History and Information

Polk County, Arkansas

Polk County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

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Etymology - Origin of County Name

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History

Created in 1844, from part of Sevier County and was named after James K. Polk who was the newly elected President of the United States. The county seat is Mena. Long, narrow ridges of folded rock, large fertile valleys and mountains covered with oak and pine trees make up the landscape of the county. Nearly half of Polk County lies in the Ouachita National Forest. The economic base is made up of lumber and wood products, tree farming, cattle and poultry. Some light manufacturing and service industries contribute to the economy. Rich Mountain, the county's most prominent landmark, has a peak of 2,861 feet. It contains, in a single square mile, more species of wild plants, flowers, and weeds in their natural state than can be found anywhere else in the world on a similar tract of land. Situated on top of Rich Mountain is Queen Wilhelmina State Park with a lodge and restaurant, campsites and other attractions. A 300-acre lake at the foot of the mountain features excellent bank fishing. Many creeks and rivers are scattered through the county. The Ouachita, is a beautiful river, however only experienced canoeists need float. The four-story, stately courthouse building with a large seal of the State of Arkansas over the entrance, stands near the foot of Rich Mountain, one of the tallest mountains in the state.

Neighboring Counties:

Northeast: Scott County

East: Montgomery County

Southeast: Pike County; Howard County

South: Sevier County

Southwest: McCurtain County, Okla.

Northwest: Le Flore County, Okla.

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The history of our nation can be seen as a prolonged struggle to define the relative roles and powers of our governments: federal, state, and local. And the names we've given our counties, our most locally based jurisdictions, reflects the "characteristic features of our country!"

But age, size and colorful names of our counties isn't the only reason to explore counties' role in American history, or the history of county government itself. In fact, the story of county government reflects the larger meanings of American history.

Today's counties are the most flexible, locally responsive and creative governments in the US. They are the most diverse, varying in size, population, geography, and governmental structure. In their politics and policies, they express a 1990's political slogan "Think globally, act locally."

Arkansas State...

Arkansas

Arkansas Counties

Polk County, Arkansas

Polk County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

Demographics:

History

Neighboring Counties:

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

Polk County, Arkansas

County Resource Guide

Penn Foster High School