The manganese mining industry in Independence, Izard, and Stone Counties supplied vital material during several wars and produced almost all of the ore shipped from Arkansas. It was a thriving economic industry in the area from 1849-1959.
For more information, visit https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/manganese-mining-4315/.
Photo 1: Two men working on each side of a large rock sorter, labeled on back, “Westmoreland Manganese Operation Polk Bayou near Cushman, Ark.” (OIRM, Wolford, William and Alice collection)
Photo 2: Beginning of Westmoreland Manganese Plant near Cushman. Back of photo, “1917-1918.” (OIRM, Powell-Guard collection # 432)
