Arma, KS

Arma grew out of a coal camp in Crawford County. The settlement was first known as Rust, laid out in 1886 in the middle of a rich coal deposit; it later took the name of William F. Armacost, an original landowner. Arma incorporated in 1909. The 2020 census counted 1,407 people. Frontenac lies a few minutes south and Girard sits about eight minutes west, placing Arma within the working and school network of the Pittsburg area.

ATTRSer Amantio di Nicolao / CC BY-SA 4.0

Arma's V-J Homecoming is the town's signature event. It began in 1946 when local World War II veterans returned home and organized a community celebration; the second weekend of August now brings a parade, veterans' memorial observances, music, food, contests, a 5K, and the city park grandstand. The park also holds wood carvings by chainsaw artist Ed Babcock. Arma City Library doubles as a meeting place for clubs, reading groups, and a local food pantry, while Northeast USD 246 serves area students. Coal is the older story, but the homecoming is the tradition that still puts Arma on the calendar.