"The Centralia Sentinel"; Centralia, IL; Aug. 6, 1910

p. 122; The Village of Alma

The village of Alma was laid out and platted by John S. Martin in 1854. Additions have been made since by J.S. Martin, M. French, Samuel J. Tilden, S. McCullough, L.C. Pullen, N.D. Laughlin, L.C. Pullen, N.D. Laughlin, and J.W. Ross. The village is situated in sections 6 and 7, Alma township. The first stone house on the site of the original town was built by Dr. T.O. Hatton, father of Mrs. C.M. See. The town was first named Rantoul. As there was a town in the state by that name, the postoffice was named Grand Mound City in 1855. The town and postoffice were changed to Alma

Dr. T.O. Hatton was the first doctor, the first merchant, and the first postmaster. Other postmasters have been: J.S. Martin, R.C. O’Bryant, J.R. Sloane, H.L. Allmon, C.M. See, T.E. Mayes, N. Warner, MV. Helton, I.A. Sprouse, T.B. McCartan (incumbent), H.P. Winks.

The first teacher in Alma public schools was Hugh Moor. Alma has had as teachers, J.B. Abbott, J.E. Whitchurch, and J.S. Knisley - in all four men who were county superintendents of schools."

The exact dates of operation for the high school in Alma are a little cloudy. We believe that Alma High School may never have offered more than two-years of high school education. It is likely that Alma High School ceased offering high school curriculum in 1940. The Alma School District probably continued to support a 1 - 8 grade school for 12 more years.  It may not have been until 1952 that the school districts of Kinmundy and Alma actually consolidated. It appears in research conducted on the neighboring town of Kinmundy that Kinmundy-Alma High School District was established in 1952. 

The former Alma High School building served as a grade school through at least the late 1970s.  The building's fate is being sought.