At the base of Rich Mountain, Mena has spread an exceptional welcome mat for visitors by using its restored Kansas City Southern Depot as a tourist information center. The depot is located at 514 Sherwood Avenue.
The depot, built in 1920, fell into disrepair after being closed in 1969. In 1985, volunteers, including the non-profit SouthWest Artists, Inc., started work on saving the building. It was deeded to the city in 1986 and reopened in July 1987, after restoration involving 7,500 hours of volunteer labor and $120,000 in donations.
The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, also houses the Mena-Polk County Chamber of Commerce, art exhibits provided by SouthWest Artists, local history exhibits and railroad memorabilia.
