Bauxite, Arkansas - Bauxite Museum and Teeth

Bauxite was once the center of U.S. aluminum production, home to Alcoa and Reynolds Metals operations. From 1900 to 1964, this was a boom town for aluminum ore, providing 90% of the bauxite needed to build bombers and fighter planes during World War II. This small museum presents artifacts of that period and the local mining industry.

The most interesting exhibit displays what are known as "Bauxite Teeth," a malady that affected workers and town residents in the early days of bauxite mining. While the local water stained and streaked smiles an ugly brown, doctors found the bauxite teeth to be healthier than normal, with harder enamel. [Roadsideamerica.com Team w/nod to R.T. Johnson, 03/06/2006]