Alma, Virginia facts for kids
Alma is a small, unincorporated community located in Page County, Virginia, in the United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government, but it still has a name and people live there.
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How Alma Got Its Name
The Doctor and the War
The community of Alma is believed to have been named in the mid-1850s. A local doctor named James Lee Gillespie is credited with giving the area its name. He moved to Page County around 1851.
Dr. Gillespie was very interested in the events of the Crimean War. This was a big conflict that happened between 1853 and 1856. It involved several powerful countries like Russia, the Ottoman Empire, France, and Britain.
A Battle or a River?
It's thought that Dr. Gillespie named the village after either the Battle of Alma or the Alma River. Both of these are located in Ukraine. The Battle of Alma was one of the first major battles of the Crimean War.
What Does "Alma" Mean?
The word "Alma" itself is believed to come from the Crimean Tatar language. In this language, "Alma" means "apple." This is a nice connection, as many places in Virginia are known for their beautiful natural landscapes.
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