January 16, 1973

The town of Bauxite (Saline County), along with West Bauxite, incorporated. The story of Bauxite is largely the story of the bauxite mining industry. Bauxite, the ore from which the town derives its name, and which is a key component in the production of aluminum, was discovered in great abundance in this area of central Arkansas in 1887. Alcoa, which mined the ore, not only provided plants and mills but also provided a community for its workers to live in. The town was able to exceed all expectations and produce enough ore to supply the U.S. military during two world wars. With the end of World War II, however, the company found it more profitable to mine bauxite ore overseas, and the town nearly disappeared.