The A.P. Green refractories and Mexico's fire-brick legacy

For much of the 1900s, Mexico, Missouri was a center of the refractories industry. Refractories are fire brick and other heat-resistant materials. Factories use them to line furnaces and kilns so the heat does not destroy the walls. The A.P. Green company was a major local maker of these products. Two things helped Mexico become a fire-brick town. First, the local clay was good for the job. Second, the rail lines made it easy to ship the bricks out. This industry shaped life in Mexico for generations. It set the pace for jobs, neighborhoods, and town life. If you live here or are new to town, this past helps explain how Mexico grew and why fire brick still shows up in local heritage. To confirm company names, dates, and what former plant sites look like today, check with the State Historical Society of Missouri and the Missouri State Archives. Do not rely on local memory or ads alone.