Editing Bauxite, Arkansas (section)

==Arts and culture==
{{See also|Culture of Arkansas}}
In 1926, ALCOA built a community center in traditional Colonial style to serve as a boarding house and gathering place for the mining community in the town. The structure still stands, and houses the Bauxite Museum, an informal collection of photographs, documents, and mining equipment from the mining era. In 2008, the museum erected "Unsung Heroes," a life-size series of bronze statues sculpted by Gary Alsum at the property's corner.<ref>"[http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=74257&catid=2 Bauxite Miners Honored with Statue]". TodaysTHV.com. October 19, 2008.</ref> The sculptures depict a traditional mining family, with a man preparing to leave for work at the bauxite mines.<ref>"[http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2008/oct/23/unsung-heroes-20081023/?print Unsung Heroes]". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Tri-Lakes Edition. October 23, 2008.</ref> The community center is available to the general public for rental and event usage.

As with many cities and towns in Arkansas, football is important in the Bauxite community as both a social event and source of pride for the city's identity. Bauxite High School has a storied football program which began around 1920.  The Bauxite Miners football team won 24 conference championships, appeared in two state title games and won the state championship in 1996.  Bauxite has produced many standout players throughout its history. [[George Cole (American football)|George Cole]], (1920-1923) who went on to coach and become athletic director at the University of Arkansas, and [[Leon Campbell (American football)|Leon "Muscles" Campbell]] (1943-1945) who played for the NFL's [[Baltimore Colts (1947–1950)|Baltimore Colts]], [[Chicago Bears]], and [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], both played at Bauxite.

In recent history, head football coach Jon Watson led the Miners for nearly two decades before retiring in 2010. During his coaching career with Bauxite, which lasted from 1990 until his retirement, he compiled a 177-55-1 record.  Watson now ranks seventh overall in victories for high school football coaches in Arkansas.<ref>[http://www.501lifemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=655&Itemid=29 501 Football Extra: Bauxite Miners]. Retrieved June 14, 2011.</ref>
The program currently plays in the 7-4A conference of the [[Arkansas Activities Association]].