Alma, Arkansas

Name: Alma, Arkansas
Address: Alma, AR

Everything Alma is known for

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Rivers & Roads in Song near Alma

Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Alma.

Highway I 40 21 songs US Route 71 2 songs Interstate 49 4 songs Arkansas River 8 songs Illinois River 2 songs U.S. Route 59 9 songs

History of Alma

Alma, AR RoadyGoat

Alma, Arkansas, wears its nickname, the "Spinach Capital of the World," with a quiet pride. You can see it in the expansive fields that stretch out toward the Boston Mountains, the fertile soil nurtured by the Arkansas River valley. While the town's roots trace back to the railroad era, agriculture quickly took hold, and spinach became the star crop. The area's temperate climate and rich soil proved ideal, allowing for multiple harvests each year. The Great Depression hit Alma hard, testing the resilience of its farming community. But the land endured, and so did the dedication to cultivating spinach. Today, you'll still find generations of families working the fields, maintaining a tradition that has shaped the town's identity.

Alma, AR RoadyGoat

Alma, Arkansas, is more than just a dot on the map; it’s a place carved out by agriculture and defined by its location. Nestled at the edge of the Boston Mountains, a mere 430 feet above sea level, the town gained prominence because of its fertile land, ideal for spinach cultivation. While the Great Depression certainly brought hard times, the land eventually recovered, and Alma cemented its identity as the "Spinach Capital of the World." The railroad played a vital role, leading to the town's naming in 1872 and incorporation shortly thereafter. Today, visitors come to Alma drawn by that small-town feel, the kind where friendly faces are the norm. Some are intrigued by the local legend of buried treasure near the Mulberry River, while others are passing through to admire the mountain views. But locals will tell you the real reason people stay is the community. Friday night lights shine bright here, fueled by the storied Alma High School football team and its history of state championships.

Alma, AR RoadyGoat

Alma, Arkansas, nestled in the shadow of the Boston Mountains, carries a history etched into its soil. The town owes its existence to the railroads, christened in 1872 for the daughter of a rail official and formally incorporated two years later. Even before the iron horse arrived, whispers of hidden riches danced through the area, tales of buried treasure near the winding Mulberry River. But it was the land itself, rich and fertile, that truly shaped Alma's destiny. Agriculture, especially spinach farming, took root, eventually earning Alma the title "Spinach Capital of the World." This identity, however, wasn't without its challenges. The Great Depression cast a long shadow, deeply affecting the livelihoods of farmers who depended on their crops. Despite economic hardships, the community persevered. While the Arkansas Razorbacks, a few hours away, provide major league entertainment, Alma found its own pride in the local high school football team, whose storied championships became a unifying force. Today, Alma offers a comforting small-town feel, where friendly faces and the legacy of the land continue to define its character.

Alma Spinach Capital - Popeye Statue

1987

Alma, Arkansas declared itself the Spinach Capital of the World in 1987 and erected a Popeye statue, thanks to Allen Canning Company processing more spinach than any other facility in the country.

Fort Smith National Historic Site

1817

Federal courthouse where Judge Isaac C. Parker, the 'Hanging Judge,' presided over Indian Territory justice from 1875 to 1896, sentencing 160 people to death.

14.1 mi away

Camp Chaffee - Fort Chaffee

1941

Military installation near Fort Smith where Elvis Presley received his famous Army haircut in 1958 and where thousands of Vietnamese and Cuban refugees were processed.

13.2 mi away

Devil's Den State Park

1933

Ozark state park built entirely by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, featuring hand-cut stone buildings, caves, and crevices in the Lee Creek valley.

20.0 mi away

Everything Near Alma

33 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

Alma, AR · 0.6 mi
Alma, Arkansas, wears its nickname, the "Spinach Capital of the World," with a quiet pride. You can see it in the expansive fields that stretch out toward the Boston Mountains, the fertile soil nurtured by the Arkansas…
Alma Spinach Capital - Popeye Statue · 1.1 mi · Historical Marker
Alma, Arkansas declared itself the Spinach Capital of the World in 1987 and erected a Popeye statue, thanks to Allen Canning Company processing more spinach than any other facility in the country.
Van Buren, AR · 6.9 mi
Van Buren, Arkansas, a town nestled on the Arkansas River, breathes history. Its strategic location, elevated above the valley floor, made it a crucial transportation point, a role that shaped its early development. The…
Henry Clay Mills House · 8.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a moment, because you're about to hear about a true American success story. This unassuming spot was once home to Henry Clay Mills, a man born into slavery who built his own house right here in Van Buren…
Mountainburg, AR · 8.0 mi
Mountainburg, Arkansas sits nestled in the Ozark foothills, a place where the pace slows, and the views stretch for miles. Incorporated in 1883 and named for the obvious reason – the mountains all around – its early…
King Opera House · 8.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine the echoes of applause and the rustle of velvet curtains – this spot, the King Opera House, was once the beating heart of Van Buren's entertainment scene. Built in the late 19th century, the King Opera House…
Bob Burns House · 8.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Get ready to chuckle! This unassuming house was the childhood home of Bob Burns, a radio star who brought down-home humor to millions. The Burns family moved into this house at 821 Jefferson Street in Van Buren around…
Before the Badge: The Fugitive Who Learned the Territory · 8.8 mi
Long before he wore a badge, Bass Reeves crossed this country as a fugitive. Taken into the war by the Texas family that enslaved him, he broke away and fled north into Indian Territory, where he lived for years among…
Van Buren Historic District · 8.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time as you enter the Van Buren Historic District, where echoes of bustling commerce still resonate! This eight-block area along Main Street was the heart of Van Buren, nestled perfectly between the…
Wilhauf House · 9.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a minute – you're looking at one of the oldest houses in Arkansas, a silent witness to nearly two centuries of change. Built around 1838, the Wilhauf House started as a simple log dogtrot, two cabins…
Butterfield Overland Mail Route Lucian Wood Road Segment · 10.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine stagecoaches rumbling along this segment of the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, connecting the East and West coasts in the 19th century. This unassuming stretch of road in Crawford County, Arkansas, is part of…
Central City, AR · 12.1 mi
Central City, Arkansas, sits nestled near the western edge of the state, not far from the Oklahoma border. The town itself may be small, but its reach extends far beyond its geographic boundaries, thanks in part to some…

Show all 33 nearby places

Camp Chaffee - Fort Chaffee · 13.2 mi · Historical Marker
Military installation near Fort Smith where Elvis Presley received his famous Army haircut in 1958 and where thousands of Vietnamese and Cuban refugees were processed.
Chester, AR · 13.2 mi · Local history
Chester, Arkansas, nestled in the Boston Mountains, tells a story etched in timber and tenacity. Like many Ozark communities, its roots lie in the westward expansion of the 19th century. Families, often of Scots-Irish…
Oak Cemetery · 13.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time as we approach Oak Cemetery, Fort Smith's oldest graveyard, where the city's history rests beneath your tires. Founded in 1853, Oak Cemetery became the final resting place for many of Fort Smith's…
New Theatre (Fort Smith, Arkansas) · 13.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine stepping back in time to the golden age of entertainment! Fort Smith's New Theatre, built in 1911, was once the hottest ticket in town. Modeled after the grand New Amsterdam Theatre in New York, this Beaux Arts…
Judge Isaac C. Parker Federal Building · 14.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here – this is where justice met the Wild West. The Judge Isaac C. Parker Federal Building stands where the legendary "hanging judge" Isaac Parker once held court. From 1875 to 1896, Judge Parker presided over…
Fort Smith, AR · 14.0 mi · Local history
Fort Smith, Arkansas, owes much of its early prosperity to its location at the confluence of the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers. This strategic point, known as Belle Point, wasn't just a scenic overlook where duels once…
Bass Reeves: The Deputy Marshal Who Couldn't Read His Warrants · 14.1 mi
You're in the heart of old Fort Smith, where Judge Isaac Parker ran the federal court for the wild Indian Territory, and where one of the West's greatest lawmen pinned on his star. Bass Reeves was born into slavery…
Fort Smith National Historic Site · 14.1 mi · Historical Marker
Federal courthouse where Judge Isaac C. Parker, the 'Hanging Judge,' presided over Indian Territory justice from 1875 to 1896, sentencing 160 people to death.
Fort Smith Museum of History · 14.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
These walls have seen Fort Smith transform from a rough-and-tumble frontier outpost to the city it is today. Built in 1906, this building started its life as the Atkinson-Williams Warehouse, a vital hub for commerce in…
Birney Safety Streetcar No. 224 · 14.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Hop aboard a piece of Fort Smith history – this is Birney Safety Streetcar No. 224! Built in 1926, this streetcar was a vital part of the city's transportation network. It's a type of streetcar called a Birney "Safety…
Maumelle Ordnance Works Locomotive 1 · 14.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming locomotive played a vital role in fueling America's WWII effort. Built in 1942, Maumelle Ordnance Works Locomotive 1 was built by Vulcan Iron Works for the U.S. War Department. Its job was to haul…
Fort Smith National Cemetery · 14.3 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wondered about the untold stories beneath your feet? Here, in Fort Smith National Cemetery, silent rows of headstones whisper tales of courage and sacrifice, a profound testament to the lives that shaped this land.…
Butterfield Overland Mail Route Lee Creek Road Segment · 14.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine stagecoaches thundering down this very road, carrying mail and passengers across the Wild West! This is a preserved section of the Butterfield Overland Mail Route. From 1858 to 1861, the Butterfield Overland…
Natural Dam, AR · 14.8 mi · Local history
Natural Dam, Arkansas, has always been a place defined by its namesake. The natural rock bridge spanning the Mountain Fork River is a local landmark, drawing tourists and recreationists to the swimming holes and picnic…
Moffett · 14.9 mi · Eohc
You're driving past Moffett, Oklahoma, a town with a reputation that once got it declared off-limits to military personnel. Back in the day, Moffett's drinking and gambling halls were so popular, they drew folks from…
Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center · 15.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming landscape holds stories of war, displacement, and new beginnings. During World War II, Fort Chaffee, then Camp Chaffee, housed thousands of German and Italian prisoners of war. Later, in 1975, after the…
Elmwood Cemetery (Fort Smith, Arkansas) · 16.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder what happened to those who had nowhere else to go in Fort Smith's early days? Elmwood Cemetery, once the Poor Farm Cemetery, holds their stories. In 1890, Sebastian County purchased land for its first poor…
Arkoma · 17.3 mi · Eohc
You're driving past Arkoma, right on the Oklahoma-Arkansas border. This town owes its start to a Civil War veteran and Choctaw Nation intermarriage, Captain James Reynolds. He built a castle nearby and then, in 1911,…
Roland · 17.5 mi · Eohc
You're driving through Roland, Oklahoma, right now. This town didn't start with a bang, but with a railroad. In 1888, the Kansas and Arkansas Valley Railway laid tracks through this area, then part of the Cherokee…
Old Sebastian County Jail · 19.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Those thick stone walls tell a story! The Old Sebastian County Jail in Greenwood offers a glimpse into law and order in this part of Arkansas over a century ago. Built between 1889 and 1891 by master mason Ike Kunkel,…
Devil's Den State Park · 20.0 mi · Historical Marker
Ozark state park built entirely by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, featuring hand-cut stone buildings, caves, and crevices in the Lee Creek valley.

Explore Alma on the Map

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Alma, Arkansas

Rivers & Roads in Song near Alma

History of Alma

Alma, AR RoadyGoat

Alma, AR RoadyGoat

Alma, AR RoadyGoat

Alma Spinach Capital - Popeye Statue

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Camp Chaffee - Fort Chaffee

Devil's Den State Park

Everything Near Alma

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