The Bauxite Historical Association Museum is located in Saline County, Little Rock. The town of Bauxite, as its name suggests, was at the center of aluminum production in the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century. Large companies such as Alcoa and Reynolds Metals had mines here. From the early 1900s to the mid-1960s Bauxite was a boom town, and in it heyday it had a 7,000 strong population. It attracted migrant workers who's communities were named Mexico Camp, Little Italy and Little Africa
The town produced most of the aluminum ore needed to construct the planes and bombers during the Second World War. The town's small museum features artifacts and displays from the 1920-50s, and the local mining industry. The Community section has pictures and historic photographs of local landmarks and everyday items. The mining section has a display of the miner's equipment such as tools, hats and lunch pails. The Museum also houses a collection of local military, school and sports memorabilia.
One if the most unusual and slightly gruesome artifacts in the museum is the collection of 'Bauxite Teeth'. These teeth, belonging to the locals are darkly stained by the local water. This condition affected both the miners and the town's residents. However doctors have since found that although the teeth may look unhealthy, they were actually in better shape than many 'normal teeth, which was attributed to the harder enamel.
Admission to the Museum costs $1.00 and its opening hours are Wednesday 10.00am — 2.00pm, Sunday 1.30pm — 4.00pm, or by appointment.
