According to ezinesports, Alma, Kansas is a small rural town located in Wabaunsee County and situated along the banks of the Big Blue River. With a population of just over 600 people, Alma is a quiet and peaceful community that offers plenty of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery.
Alma was founded in 1876 by German immigrants who settled the area to take advantage of its fertile soil. Since then, it has grown steadily but remains a small town with an old-fashioned charm. The downtown area is made up of historic buildings, including some original structures from the 1800s, as well as modern shops and restaurants. Main Street is lined with trees and quaint storefronts.
The Big Blue River flows right through Alma, providing plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing, and other recreational activities. There are also several parks in the area to enjoy picnics or take leisurely strolls along its trails. Nearby Crystal Lake State Park offers boating, camping, and hiking opportunities year-round.
Alma residents have access to excellent educational options for their children. The local school district has been consistently ranked among the best in Kansas for many years running. The University of Kansas also offers courses at nearby Washburn University in Topeka for those interested in higher education close to home.
The people of Alma are proud to call this small town home and enjoy its friendly atmosphere and laid-back lifestyle. On any given day you can find locals enjoying coffee at one of the local cafes or passing time on Main Street chatting with neighbors or browsing through shops like Good News Bookstore & Gifts or High Plains Mercantile & Antiques which offer unique finds from all around the world.
For those looking for a little bit more excitement there are also several festivals throughout the year such as Alma’s Annual Festival Week held every June which includes parades, carnival rides, live music performances and food vendors galore! Other events include an annual country music show held at Pecan Grove Park each summer as well as holiday celebrations like Fourth of July fireworks displays over Crystal Lake State Park each year that draw crowds from all over Wabaunsee County!
No matter what brings you to Alma – whether it’s a visit or to make it your permanent home – you’ll be sure to find something special about this charming little town nestled along the banks of the Big Blue River in Wabaunsee County.
History of Alma, Kansas
Alma, Kansas is a small community in Wabaunsee County that was founded in 1855. The town was named after the daughter of one of its earliest settlers, Alfred Houghton. The town was platted in 1858 and the first post office opened in 1859.
The town quickly grew and became a thriving farming center with a population of over 1,000 by 1880. In addition to farming, Alma was known for its woolen mills, flour mills, sawmills, and brickyards. The railroad arrived in Alma in 1887 which encouraged more growth and development.
The early 20th century saw the rise of Alma’s downtown area with businesses such as grocery stores, banks, hotels and cafes popping up to serve the needs of local residents. The town also had several churches including Methodist Episcopal Church South (ME), Presbyterian Church (PC), German Lutheran Church (GL), Catholic Church (CC), Christian Science Society (CSS) and Baptist Church (BC).
In 1915, an oil well was discovered near Alma which brought an influx of people to the small town looking for work in the oil fields. By 1920 the population had reached 2,500 people making it one of the largest towns in east central Kansas at the time.
During World War II, there were many military personnel stationed at local airfields who added to Alma’s population during this time period. After World War II ended many of these soldiers returned home but some stayed on and helped to make Alma their permanent home.
In recent years, Alma has experienced some decline due to economic conditions but it still remains an important agricultural center for Wabaunsee County with wheat being one of its primary crops along with corn and sorghum grain crops as well as cattle ranching operations that are still active today.
Alma is also home to two museums which are dedicated to preserving the history of this small community; one is dedicated to local history while the other focuses on agricultural history from around Wabaunsee County and surrounding areas. In addition there are several annual festivals held here including Pioneer Days which celebrates life on a 19th century farmstead as well as other events like music festivals and art shows throughout the year that bring visitors into town from all over Kansas and beyond.
