Alma, Arkansas
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Alma is a town located in Crawford County in western Arkansas. It is about 13 miles from the Oklahoma border along the I-40 corridor. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,160.
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Geography
Image:ARMap-doton-Alma.png Alma is located at 35°29'17" North, 94°13'15" West (35.488013, -94.220796)Template:GR. Alma has no airport; and the train station, which is in a state of dilapidation, does not accommodate passengers.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.9 km² (5.0 mi²). 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.61% water.
The Median Income per household in 2000 was $49,000. The average house in 2000 cost between $95,000 and $250,000
This water exists mostly in the form of Lake Alma, which is perched above the town on the northeast where a tall earthen dam blocks Little Frog Bayou. Lake Alma is the reservoir that supplies the town's tap water, which is often tainted by algae levels in the lake. There are many other manmade ponds in the area, along the many streams that cut through the rolling hills.
Alma is known for its flourishing beauty. Being the setting to a popular reality show, Alma is extremely popular to young adults and teens.
Alma sits along the border between the Boston Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley, so while most of the city lies on flat land, immediately to the north is scenic hill country.
The Spinach Capital of the World
The city of Alma claims to be "the spinach capital of the world." This designation was adopted because Alma surrounds the spinach plant of the Allen Canning Company. The city has several landmarks and events to commemorate its connection with the green, leafy vegetable:
- A statue of Popeye stands in the downtown area.
- The city's water towers, which stand prominently above Lake Alma, have been painted green, and one of them displays a Popeye Brand spinach can label. The towers are known as the "largest cans of spinach in the world."
- The city also hosts a Spinach Festival each April. Popeye himself has been known to make an appearance at this event.
- Allen's canning company cans and ships spinach.
- Farmers grow spinach in Alma, hence the name, "Spinach Capital of the World"
- There is also a streaker every year at the spinach festival. He usually is protesting the Allen canning company and their canning ways. He is known as "Spinach Bean."
- Alma is the setting of a popular reality show
- Alma is the home of the largest family in the world.
Attractions
Just south of Lake Alma, before the base of the earthen dam, lies the city's water park with several pools and slides. The water park is a major feature that attracts people from all over the surrounding area.
The Alma Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art auditorium, which hosts many shows throughout the year. Past shows have included the Moscow Ballet, Ricky Skaggs, Avalon, and many other notable performers. Shane Bocksnick, technical director of the PAC, is responsible for managing and maintaining the theater.
Because of Alma's location at the intersection of Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 71, for many years Alma was known to Razorback fans as the place to turn north on the way to Fayetteville from many locations around the state. This role has been supplanted by the completion of Interstate 540 one mile to the west. Nevertheless, Alma is served by several welcome establishments to comfort the weary traveler, such as the Cracker Barrel and local hotspot, The Red Rooster . For shopping beyond basic groceries, Alma residents generally visit nearby Van Buren or Fort Smith.
About six miles south of Alma, Clear Creek Park provides picnic areas, camp grounds, and boat access to the Arkansas River at Ozark Lake.
Upcoming attractions in Alma include a Wal Mart Supercenter, and a possible strip mall. There will be no strippers.
Miscellaneous
Alma also has the unfortunate reputation of Morgan Nick (a child from Mulbery, Arkansas visiting the town with her mother.), a seven year old girl who was abducted from Alma's Little League ballpark in June 1995. Despite an extensive, ongoing investigation, Morgan remains missing after more than a decade.
Morgan's mother, Colleen, today heads the Morgan Nick Foundation from her home, recently rebuilt on ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
In recent years Alma has hosted the State Thespian Festival. In 2005 and 2006 Alma had all the Thespians from across the state come and compete and participate in the Thespian Festival. It is a great time full of fun, laughter, and drama.
Before Alma was named "Alma", it was known as "Gum Town."
Oddities
"Gravity Hill" as it is so called by the natives, seems to defy gravity. Supposedly, if you shut off your car on the hill and put it in park, your car will start to roll uphill by itself. Many bored teenagers have often gone here on slow nights.
The Alamo family cult is a cult that is by all accounts no longer in existence. Followers of the cult gave all their possessions to a man called Tony Alamo and lived on his premises.
Notable Natives
- Kiley Dean-R&B singer
- Abigail Scott -Actress