RoadsideThoughts
A Gazetteer for the United States and Canada
Home >> State of Alabama >> Clarke County >> Alma >> Tidbits & TriviaIndex...

Outdoor Activities ...

As we travel, we like to pursue some of our interests (such as astronomy and bird watching).

When in Alma, we use the following websites to find information relevant to Alma and the surrounding area.

  • Astronomy & Satellites ...
    • Whether using binoculars, a small telescope or the naked-eye, the Heavens-Above website can help you to find your way around the night-time sky. In addition to detailed sky charts, their website will help you find planets, asteriods, comets, satellites and their tracks across the sky.
    • To give accurate results, Heavens-Above requires the latitude and longitude of your location. As a starting point, when we link to Heavens-Above, we pass this GPS location for Alma:
    • 31.464052, -87.753884
    • Once you're on the Heavens-Above website, you can improve its accuracy by giving a more precise longitude and latitude as your actual position.
    • Open the Heavens-Above website centered on Alma
  • Bird Watching ...
    • We enjoy finding new spots for bird watching and we use the eBird website for local sighting reports and to help identify hotspots.
    • The eBird website is organized on a county-by-county basis. We have selected Clarke County as the starting point when you click on the link below:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Clarke County
    • Since Alma is near Monroe County and also Washington County, we have provided a link to their eBird sighting reports:
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Monroe County
    • Open the eBird sighting report for Washington County
  • Waymarking ...
    • Looking for somewhere out of the ordinary? Find a unique place and want to share it with others? Then it's time to visit Waymarking.com:
    • Open the Waymark.com report for Alma

Communities Also Named Alma ...

We found 41 communities that are also named Alma.

Within Alabama, the name Alma is unique.

Beyond Alabama, we know of 41 communities that are located in the United States and Canada. Of these 41 communities, 36 are located in the United States and five are in Canada.

  • Communities Elsewhere In North America ...
    • Arizona
      • Pinal County
      • This community is historic<1> and although located in Pinal County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pinal County community of Alma.
    • Arkansas
      • Crawford County
      • This Alma is located in Crawford County and lies 464 miles [746.7 km]<2> to the northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Crawford County community of Alma.
    • California
      • Santa Clara County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Alma [Santa Clara County].
      • Santa Cruz County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the California community of Alma [Santa Cruz County].
    • Colorado
      • Park County
      • This Alma is located in Park County and lies 1,160 miles [1,866.8 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Park County community of Alma.
    • Florida
      • Jefferson County
      • This Alma is located in Jefferson County and lies 235 miles [378.2 km]<2> to the east southeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Jefferson County community of Alma.
    • Georgia
      • Bacon County
      • This Alma is located in Bacon County and lies 311 miles [500.5 km]<2> to the east of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Bacon County community of Alma.
      • Decatur County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Georgia community of Alma [Decatur County].
      • Gilmer County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Georgia community of Alma [Gilmer County].
    • Illinois
      • Marion County
      • This Alma is located in Marion County and lies 505 miles [812.7 km]<2> to the north of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Marion County community of Alma.
      • Saint Clair County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Illinois community of Alma [Saint Clair County].
    • Kansas
      • Osage County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Kansas community of Alma [Osage County].
      • Wabaunsee County
      • This Alma is located in Wabaunsee County and lies 708 miles [1,139.4 km]<2> to the northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Wabaunsee County community of Alma.
    • Louisiana
      • Pointe Coupee Parish
      • This Alma is located in Pointe Coupee Parish and lies 223 miles [358.9 km]<2> to the west southwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Pointe Coupee Parish community of Alma.
    • Michigan
      • Gratiot County
      • This Alma is located in Gratiot County and lies 839 miles [1,350.2 km]<2> to the north of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Gratiot County community of Alma.
    • Mississippi
      • Lee County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Mississippi community of Alma [Lee County].
    • Missouri
      • Lafayette County
      • This Alma is located in Lafayette County and lies 619 miles [996.2 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lafayette County community of Alma.
    • Montana
      • Liberty County
      • This community is historic<1> and we have very little information. For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Montana community of Alma [Liberty County].
    • Nebraska
      • Harlan County
      • This Alma is located in Harlan County and lies 880 miles [1,416.2 km]<2> to the northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Harlan County community of Alma.
    • New Brunswick
      • This Alma lies 1,562 miles [2,513.8 km]<2> to the northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
    • New Mexico
      • Catron County
      • This Alma is located in Catron County and lies 1,237 miles [1,990.8 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Catron County community of Alma.
      • Socorro County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the New Mexico community of Alma [Socorro County].
    • New York
      • Allegany County
      • This Alma is located in Allegany County and lies 903 miles [1,453.2 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Allegany County community of Alma.
    • North Carolina
      • Robeson County
      • This Alma is located in Robeson County and lies 537 miles [864.2 km]<2> to the east northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Robeson County community of Alma.
    • North Dakota
      • Cavalier County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the North Dakota community of Alma [Cavalier County].
    • Nova Scotia
      • This Alma lies 1,653 miles [2,660.2 km]<2> to the northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
    • Ohio
      • Henry County
      • This community is historic<1> and although located in Henry County, we don't know where within the county.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Henry County community of Alma.
      • Ross County
      • This Alma is located in Ross County and lies 597 miles [960.8 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ross County community of Alma.
    • Oklahoma
      • Stephens County
      • This Alma is located in Stephens County and lies 606 miles [975.3 km]<2> to the west northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Stephens County community of Alma.
    • Ontario
      • This Alma lies 934 miles [1,503.1 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
    • Oregon
      • Lane County
      • This Alma is located in Lane County and lies 2,111 miles [3,397.3 km]<2> to the northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Lane County community of Alma.
    • Prince Edward Island
      • This Alma lies 1,641 miles [2,640.9 km]<2> to the northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
    • Quebec
      • This Alma lies 1,448 miles [2,330.3 km]<2> to the north northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
    • South Carolina
      • Laurens County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the South Carolina community of Alma [Laurens County].
    • Texas
      • Clay County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Texas community of Alma [Clay County].
      • Ellis County
      • This Alma is located in Ellis County and lies 518 miles [833.6 km]<2> to the west of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Ellis County community of Alma.
      • Hidalgo County
      • This Alma is located in Hidalgo County and lies 722 miles [1,161.9 km] to the west southwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Hidalgo County community of Alma.
    • Virginia
      • Page County
      • This Alma is located in Page County and lies 715 miles [1,150.7 km]<2> to the northeast of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Page County community of Alma.
    • Washington
      • Okanogan County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the Washington community of Alma [Okanogan County].
    • West Virginia
      • Tyler County
      • We found mention of this community, but have little information.<3> For the information that we do have, please visit our profile page for the West Virginia community of Alma [Tyler County].
    • Wisconsin
      • Buffalo County
      • This Alma is located in Buffalo County and lies 916 miles [1,474.2 km]<2> to the north northwest of the Alma that is located in Clarke County.
      • For more information, please visit our profile page for the Buffalo County community of Alma.

Curious and Interesting Names Near Alma ...

As we travel, we always see a community with a name that gives pause. While there are names which are interesting or familiar, some catch our attention or strike our fancy. We always wonder about such a name. If time permits and the community is not too far, we'll usually try to make a side-trip.

  • Carson
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
    • Carson is located in Washington County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carson
  • Choctaw Bluff
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Choctaw Bluff is located in Clarke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Choctaw Bluff
  • Chrysler
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Chrysler is located in Monroe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chrysler
  • Eureka Landing
    (5 miles [8 km] to the southeast)
    • Eureka Landing is located in Monroe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eureka Landing
  • Georgetown
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Georgetown is located in Baldwin County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Georgetown
  • Holders Ferry
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Holders Ferry is located in Washington County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Holders Ferry
  • Homewood
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Homewood is located in Monroe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Homewood
  • Howard Landing
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the east)
    • Howard Landing is located in Monroe County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Howard Landing
  • Manila
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northeast)
    • Manila is located in Clarke County
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Manila
  • Continue List   (6 more) ...
    • Masons Ferry
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Masons Ferry is located in Monroe County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Masons Ferry
    • Mount Pleasant
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
      • Mount Pleasant is located in Monroe County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Pleasant
    • Mount Pleasant Landing
      (8 miles [12.9 km] to the south)
    • Olivers Ferry
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
      • Olivers Ferry is located in Monroe County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Olivers Ferry
    • Rockville
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Rockville is located in Clarke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rockville
    • Union
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
      • Union is located in Clarke County
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union

How Far From Alma to ...

We spend a lot of time looking through Gazetteers that were published in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Many of the Gazetteers include the distance from a community such as Alma to various places of note, such as the White House.

With a nod to our favorite Gazetteers, the straight-line distance beginning in Alma and extending to:

  • Grove Hill, which is the Seat of Clarke County, lies 16 miles [25.7 km]<2> to the north. If you could walk a straight line from Alma to Grove Hill, with an average speed<4> of 2.2 miles [3.5 km] per hour, it would take most of a day to make the trip. A horse and buggy averaging 3.2 miles [5.1 km] per hour would take five to six hours.
  • Montgomery, which is the State Capital of Alabama, lies 106 miles [170.6 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving, with an average speed of 63 miles [101.4 km] per hour, would take less than two hours, a buggy would take 5 days and walking would take 6 days.
  • The White House (Washington, DC) is 792 miles [1,274.6 km] to the northeast (NE). Driving would take just about two full days, a buggy would take 31 days and walking would take 45 days.
  • The shortest distance<5> to Jerusalem (specifically the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock) is 6,690 miles [10,766.5 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<6>
  • The distance to the Great Mosque of Mecca (specifically the Ka'bah - or Kaaba ) is 7,393 miles [11,897.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<7>
  • The distance to Saint Peter's Basilica (The Vatican) is 5,271 miles [8,482.9 km] and it lies to the northeast (NE).<8>'

Footnotes ...

<1>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Alma, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<2>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Alma) to Point B. In other words: 'As the crow flies'.
<3>If we encounter the name of what might be a community, our methodology is to add that name to our Gazetteer as a placeholder. As we find more information about that community, it will be added to our Gazetteer.

Just as a reminder: Our definition of a community is rather broad and includes those places (or areas) where several families lived and had a name which identified that place. For example, you might hear somebody say that they are going over to Bird Creek to see Pete ... Bird Creek is just a gas station and a couple of homes at the crossroads. While it might not be on the map, everybody in the area knows it by that name.

Places of interest include buildings at a crossroad, several families clustered in a hollow or maybe the location of a way station. It also includes places like mines, lumber camps, ferry crossings, etc. The community might still exist, is now gone or only existed for just a short period of time.

Also keep in mind that Alma could have been on the original document by mistake, misspelled, the original/alternate name of a community that we've listed elsewhere or was placed in the wrong county. Sometimes a post office or train station would have a different name than the community where it's located, so two names might be referring to the same community - we're working to straighten it all out.
<4>While we have tried to pick reasonable speeds, the rate of travel is very theoretical - obstacles like fences, hills, lakes, river crossings and rest stops have been ignored. When we say 'Days' of travel, we're assuming 8 hours of travel per day.
<5>The shortest line can be visualized by stretching a string on a Globe from Point A to Point B - this is known as a Great Circle Route. Where you might expect the shortest route from Alma to the Middle East to be East and South, the Great Circle Route actually lies to the North and East.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Alma. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 31.4641, Longitude: -87.7539       In this case, the coordinates for Alma have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
<6>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Jerusalem is 314.092 degrees.
<7>The calculated bearing (or angle) to Mecca is 309.487 degrees.
<8>The calculated bearing (or angle) to the Vatican is 311.078 degrees.