General Information - Alma, Nebraska

General Information
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History:

The first group of 40 pioneers settled in Harlan County in 1870. One of these settlers, J. W. Foster, homesteaded land at the mouth of Cook Creek just east of present day Alma. The second group of settlers from the Cheyenne, Wyoming, territory arrived in the summer of 1871. In February 1872, a group of six individuals selected and established the site of Alma, which was named in honor of the daughter of N. P. Cook, one of the six men who had selected the town site.

Life was difficult for the settlers in the new town. Tempers grew short and, in the summer of 1872, a quarrel among the settlers led to the dissolution of Alma. In 1874, the town of Alma was resurrected. The re-birth of Alma did not attract new settlers nor did it prosper. In 1879, the population numbered 23.

In 1879, several events transpired leading to phenomenal growth. First, a newspaper was established which published glowing accounts of the fertile land in the area as well as the advantages of settling in Alma. The second event was the construction of the Burlington and Missouri Railroad in the winters of 1879 and 1880. By Jan. 1, 1880, Alma's population had risen to 300.

The first school in Alma Township was conducted in a sod school house. By 1881, the town had built a two-story frame structure and, in 1885, added a two-story brick building. In 1911, a public library was built with the aid of the Carnegie Foundation. In 1978, a new library building was donated to the town in honor of Karl and Katherine Hoesch.

In 1952, the Harlan County Reservoir, a man-made reservoir and dam, was completed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. The $45 million project provided 500,000 acre-feet of storage space reserved for flood control and 350,000 acre-feet for the purpose of irrigation.

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Places to Eat:

Alma has a wide variety of eating establishments. From the local coffee shops to the National Franchises with everything in between. This wide variety gives Alma's visitors and citizens alike a place for a delicious down home cooked meal with your favorite beverage to a hamburger and drink to go. Visit our Area Business page for a listing and phone number.

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Places to Sleep:

With the three commercially ran Hotel/Motels and a Bed and Breakfast, Alma can accommodate a wide variety of visitors to the area. From the individual business and vacationing traveler to the larger family reunions or business group, bring them all to Alma to get some of the best service and hospitality around. Don't forget to consider the many camping facilities in the area. Pull your camper or pack your tent and park on the water front to watch the Pelicans fly by. To phone in your reservations, visit the Area Business page or call the Area Chamber at (308) 928-2101.

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Churches:

Alma Evangelical Free Church 1007 Main (308) 928-2493	First Christian Church 202 Jewell (308) 928-2468	United Methodist Church 110 John St. (308) 928-2414
Peace Lutheran Church 310 Hwy 183 (308) 928-2455	St. Joseph's Catholic Church 810 4th St. (308) 928-2575	Word Teaching Center 1104 7th St. (308) 928-2266
Free Methodist 312 5th St.

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