Alma in Lafayette County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Alma Bell
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
1. Alma Bell Marker
This is the bell, which for many years was used by the City of Alma to notify everyone of a fire, call City Council meetings to order, and used as the curfew bell for youngsters at eight oclock. It was mounted on a tower which stood in the middle of the street over the old city well up town. When newer inventions arose, the bell was removed from the tower. A new electrical powered whistle replaced this hand powered bell. This bell was placed in the park by the bicentennial committee as part of their heritage project, as this was Almas most historic item. The bell was rung 200 times at 1:00 P.M. on July 4, 1976 in honor of our Nations birthday before it was made stationary, never to be rung again.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells, and the The Spirit of 76, Americas Bicentennial Celebration series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1976.
Location. 39° 5.765′ N, 93° 32.853′ W. Marker is in Alma, Missouri, in Lafayette County. It is on Main just west of North County Road
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Paul's Lutheran Church Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.4 miles away); St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cornerstone (approx. 7.4 miles away); Civil War Casualties (approx. 7.4 miles away); The Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway (approx. 7½ miles away); St. Paul's College (approx. 7.6 miles away); Wilk School Bell (approx. 7.8 miles away); Veterans War Memorial (approx.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
2. Alma Bell Marker
Looking east through Central Park. The marker is in front of this scaffold erected in Central Park to exhibit the historic bell.
Also see . . .
1. Alma, Missouri (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Alma was laid out in 1879 when the railroad was extended to that point. A post office called Alma has been in operation since 1879. The community has the name of Alma Woodson, the daughter of one of the founders.(Submitted on January 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. United States Bicentennial (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic. The Bicentennial culminated on Sunday, July 4, 1976, with the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Founding Fathers in the Second Continental Congress. A wave of patriotism and nostalgia swept the nation.(Submitted on January 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
3. Alma Bell
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2025
4. Alma Bell
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 30, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
