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{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
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|official_name = Cullman, Alabama |
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|settlement_type = [[City]] |
|settlement_type = [[City]] |
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|nickname = |
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|motto = "A City of Character" |
|motto = "A City of Character" |
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<!-- Images ---------------> |
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|image_skyline = Cullman-aerial-real-estate-photography (21 of 21).1.jpg |
|image_skyline = Cullman-aerial-real-estate-photography (21 of 21).1.jpg |
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|imagesize = |
|imagesize = 275px |
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|image_caption = Hwy 278 & Hwy 31 |
|image_caption = Hwy 278 & Hwy 31 |
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|image_flag = Flag of Cullman, Alabama.png |
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|image_seal = |
|image_seal = |
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|image_blank_emblem = Logo of Cullman, Alabama.png |
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|image_map = File:Cullman County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cullman Highlighted 0118976.svg |
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|blank_emblem_type = Logo |
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<!-- Maps -----------------> |
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|image_map = Cullman County Alabama Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Cullman Highlighted 0118976.svg |
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|mapsize = 250px |
|mapsize = 250px |
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|map_caption = Location of Cullman in Cullman County, Alabama |
|map_caption = Location of Cullman in Cullman County, Alabama |
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|image_map1 = |
|image_map1 = |
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|mapsize1 = |
|mapsize1 = |
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|map_caption1 = |
|map_caption1 = |
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<!-- Location -------------> |
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|pushpin_map = USA |
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|subdivision_type = Country |
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|pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States |
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|subdivision_name = United States |
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|established_title1 = Incorporated |
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|established_date1 = 1878 |
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|established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |
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|established_date2 = |
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|established_title3 = |
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|established_date3 = |
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|extinct_title = |
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|extinct_date = |
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|founder = Colonel Johann Gottfried Cullmann |
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|named_for = Colonel Johann Gottfried Cullmann |
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|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |
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|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |
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|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]] |
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|subdivision_name = [[United States]] |
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|subdivision_name1 = [[Alabama]] |
|subdivision_name1 = [[Alabama]] |
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|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Alabama|County]] |
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|subdivision_name2 = [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman]] |
|subdivision_name2 = [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman]] |
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<!-- Government -----------> |
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|government_footnotes = |
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|government_type = Mayor-Council |
|government_type = Mayor-Council |
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|leader_title |
|leader_title = [[Mayor]] |
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|leader_name = Woody Jacobs |
|leader_name = Woody Jacobs |
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|leader_title1 = |
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|leader_name1 = |
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|established_title = Founded |
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|established_date = 1873 |
|established_date = 1873 |
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|established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] |
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|established_date1 = March 6, 1875<ref>{{cite web|title=Municipalities of Alabama Incorporation Dates |publisher=Alabama League of Municipalities |url=https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/AboutUs/Alabama_Municipalities_Incorporation_Dates.pdf |access-date=March 6, 2024}}</ref> |
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|named_for = Colonel Johann Gottfried Cullmann |
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<!-- Area -----------------> |
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|unit_pref = Imperial |
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|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}</ref> |
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|area_magnitude = |
|area_magnitude = |
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|area_total_km2 = |
|area_total_km2 = 62.279 |
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|area_land_km2 = 58.802 |
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|area_water_km2 = 3.477 |
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|area_total_sq_mi = 24.046 |
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|area_land_sq_mi = 22.704 |
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|area_water_sq_mi = 1. |
|area_water_sq_mi = 1.342 |
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<!-- Population -----------> |
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|elevation_ft = 820 |
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|population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] |
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|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
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|population_est = 19251 |
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|pop_est_as_of = 2022 |
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|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/> |
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|population_total = 18,213 |
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|population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> |
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|population_metro = |
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|population_total = 18213 |
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|population_density_km2 = 317.41 |
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|population_density_km2 = 328.6 |
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|population_density_sq_mi = 822.07 |
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|population_density_sq_mi = 851 |
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|timezone = Central Standard Time |
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|population_urban = 21165 |
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|population_density_urban_km2 = 380.2 |
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|coordinates = {{coord|34|10|39|N|86|50|41|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}} |
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|population_density_urban_sq_mi = 985 |
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|population_metro = 90,665 |
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|population_density_metro_km2 = 47.64 |
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|population_density_metro_sq_mi = 123.4 |
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<!-- General information --> |
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|timezone = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]] |
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|utc_offset = –6 |
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|timezone_DST = CDT |
|timezone_DST = CDT |
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|utc_offset_DST = |
|utc_offset_DST = –5 |
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|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
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|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |
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| |
|elevation_m = 248 |
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| |
|elevation_ft = 814 |
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|coordinates = {{coord|34|10|35|N|86|50|25|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}} |
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|blank1_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
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|postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]] |
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|postal_code = 35055, 35056, 35057, 35058 |
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|area_code = [[Area codes 256 and 938|256 and 938]] |
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|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
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|blank_info = 01-18976 |
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|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
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|blank1_info = 2404166<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404166}}</ref> |
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|website = {{URL|https://cullmanal.gov/|cullmanal.gov}} |
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|footnotes = |
|footnotes = |
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|pop_est_as_of = |
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|pop_est_footnotes = |
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|population_est = |
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|unit_pref = Imperial |
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|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_01.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref> |
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|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]] |
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|blank_info = 01-18976 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Cullman''' is the largest city and [[county seat]] of [[Cullman County, Alabama]], United States. It is located along [[Interstate 65]], about {{convert|50|mi}} north of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and about {{convert|55|mi}} south of [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]]. As of the [[ |
'''Cullman''' is the largest city and [[county seat]] of [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman County]], [[Alabama]], United States. It is located along [[Interstate 65]], about {{convert|50|mi}} north of [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and about {{convert|55|mi}} south of [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] it had a population of 18,213,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Cullman_city,_Alabama?g=160XX00US0118976 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 6, 2024}}</ref> with an estimated population of 19,251in2022.<ref name="USCensusEst2022"/> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Before European colonization, the area that today includes Cullman was originally in the territory of the [[Cherokee Nation]]. The region was traversed by a trail known as the Black Warrior's Path, which led from the [[Tennessee River]] near the present location of [[Florence, Alabama]], to a point on the [[Black Warrior River]] south of Cullman. This trail figured significantly in Cherokee history, and it featured prominently in the [[American Indian Wars]] prior to the establishment of the state of Alabama and the relocation of several American Indian tribes, including the [[Muscogee|Creek people]] westward along the [[Trail of Tears]]. During the [[Creek War]] in 1813, General [[Andrew Jackson]] of the U.S. Army dispatched a contingent of troops down the trail, one of which included the frontiersman [[Davy Crockett]].<ref>{{cite web| |
Before European colonization, the area that today includes Cullman was originally in the territory of the [[Cherokee Nation]]. The region was traversed by a trail known as the Black Warrior's Path, which led from the [[Tennessee River]] near the present location of [[Florence, Alabama]], to a point on the [[Black Warrior River]] south of Cullman. This trail figured significantly in Cherokee history, and it featured prominently in the [[American Indian Wars]] prior to the establishment of the state of Alabama and the relocation of several American Indian tribes, including the [[Muscogee|Creek people]] westward along the [[Trail of Tears]]. During the [[Creek War]] in 1813, General [[Andrew Jackson]] of the U.S. Army dispatched a contingent of troops down the trail, one of which included the frontiersman [[Davy Crockett]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Fulenwider |first=Dan |url=http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history3.htm#blackwarrior |title=Cullman County, Alabama History: The Black Warrior's Path |work=Cullman County, Alabama |access-date=January 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927024240/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history3.htm#blackwarrior |archive-date=September 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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In the 1820s and the 1830s, two toll roads were built linking the Tennessee Valley to present-day [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]. In 1822, Abraham Stout was given a charter by the [[Alabama Legislature]] to open and turnpike a road beginning from Gandy's Cove in [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] to the ghost town of Baltimore on the [[Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River|Mulberry Fork]] near [[Colony, Alabama|Colony]]. The road passed near present-day [[Vinemont, Alabama|Vinemont]] through Cullman, [[Good Hope, Alabama|Good Hope]], and down the current [[Interstate 65]] corridor to the Mulberry Fork. The road was later extended to [[Elyton, Alabama|Elyton]] (Birmingham) in 1827. It then became known as Stout's Road. Mace Thomas Payne Brindley was given a charter in 1833 to turnpike two roads, one running between [[Blount Springs, Alabama|Blount Springs]] to [[Somerville, Alabama|Somerville]] by way of his homestead in present-day [[Simcoe, Alabama|Simcoe]], and the second road passing west of [[Hanceville, Alabama|Hanceville]] and east of Downtown Cullman to join Stout's Road north of the city. What later became the Brindley Turnpike became an extension of Stout's Road to [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]]. Cullman later became located between the juncture of the two roads, and they predated the corridor of [[U.S. Route 31]]. |
In the 1820s and the 1830s, two toll roads were built linking the Tennessee Valley to present-day [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]]. In 1822, Abraham Stout was given a charter by the [[Alabama Legislature]] to open and turnpike a road beginning from Gandy's Cove in [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] to the ghost town of Baltimore on the [[Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River|Mulberry Fork]] near [[Colony, Alabama|Colony]]. The road passed near present-day [[Vinemont, Alabama|Vinemont]] through Cullman, [[Good Hope, Alabama|Good Hope]], and down the current [[Interstate 65]] corridor to the Mulberry Fork. The road was later extended to [[Elyton, Alabama|Elyton]] (Birmingham) in 1827. It then became known as Stout's Road. Mace Thomas Payne Brindley was given a charter in 1833 to turnpike two roads, one running between [[Blount Springs, Alabama|Blount Springs]] to [[Somerville, Alabama|Somerville]] by way of his homestead in present-day [[Simcoe, Alabama|Simcoe]], and the second road passing west of [[Hanceville, Alabama|Hanceville]] and east of Downtown Cullman to join Stout's Road north of the city. What later became the Brindley Turnpike became an extension of Stout's Road to [[Decatur, Alabama|Decatur]]. Cullman later became located between the juncture of the two roads, and they predated the corridor of [[U.S. Route 31]]. |
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During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the future location of Cullman was the site of the minor [[Battle of Day's Gap]]. On April 30, 1863, [[Union Army|Union]] forces under the command of Colonel [[Abel Streight]] won a victory over forces under [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] General [[Nathan Bedford Forrest]]. This battle was part of a campaign and chase known collectively as Streight's Raid. Although Streight got the upper hand in this battle, Forrest would have the last laugh. In one of the more humorous moments of the war, Streight sought a truce and negotiations with Forrest in present-day [[Cherokee County, Alabama|Cherokee County]] near present-day [[Gaylesville, Alabama|Gaylesville]]. Although Streight's force was larger than Forrest's, while the two were negotiating, Forrest had his troops march repeatedly in a circuitous route past the site of the talks. Thinking himself to be badly outnumbered, Streight surrendered to Forrest.<ref>{{cite web |
During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the future location of Cullman was the site of the minor [[Battle of Day's Gap]]. On April 30, 1863, [[Union Army|Union]] forces under the command of Colonel [[Abel Streight]] won a victory over forces under [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] General [[Nathan Bedford Forrest]]. This battle was part of a campaign and chase known collectively as Streight's Raid. Although Streight got the upper hand in this battle, Forrest would have the last laugh. In one of the more humorous moments of the war, Streight sought a truce and negotiations with Forrest in present-day [[Cherokee County, Alabama|Cherokee County]] near present-day [[Gaylesville, Alabama|Gaylesville]]. Although Streight's force was larger than Forrest's, while the two were negotiating, Forrest had his troops march repeatedly in a circuitous route past the site of the talks. Thinking himself to be badly outnumbered, Streight surrendered to Forrest.<ref>{{cite web|last=Partain |first=Rich |url=http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history2.htm |title=Streight's Raid |work=co.cullman.al.us |access-date= January 28, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090927022749/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history2.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2009 |url-status= dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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|last = Partain |
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|first = Rich |
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|url = http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history2.htm |
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|title = Streight's Raid |
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|work = co.cullman.al.us |
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|access-date = January 28, 2010 |
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|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090927022749/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history2.htm |
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|archive-date = September 27, 2009 |
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|url-status = dead |
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|df = mdy-all |
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}}</ref> |
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[[File:Col. John Cullmann.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Colonel John G. Cullmann, founder of Cullman (1823–1895)]] |
[[File:Col. John Cullmann.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Colonel John G. Cullmann, founder of Cullman (1823–1895)]] |
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Cullman itself was founded in 1873 by Colonel [[John G. Cullmann]], a German immigrant.<ref>Although some sources state that Cullmann had earlier Americanized his name from "Kullmann," Stanley Johnson, his only surviving American descendant, told ''The Cullman Times'' in 1998 that there are no German records indicating the name "Kullmann", and that "Cullmann" had always been the correct spelling. {{Cite news |title=Cullman: Moving Forward while Treasuring the Past |periodical=The Cullman Times |year=1998}}</ref> Cullmann had been an advocate of democratic reforms in his native [[Bavaria]], having fought and acquired his honorific title "Colonel" during the [[German revolutions of 1848–49|Revolutions of 1848–49]]. After the failure of the revolution, Cullmann found himself in financial ruin. In the years to follow, he would try to re-establish himself in business, but after several setbacks, including a great financial loss in the [[First Schleswig War]], he would remain unsuccessful. As time went on and [[Prussia]], under [[William I, German Emperor|King Wilhelm I]] and his Minister President [[Otto von Bismarck]], began to exert more influence in the German region (eventually [[Unification of Germany|unifying Germany under Prussian rule]] in 1871), Cullmann began to believe that his political ideals were fundamentally incompatible with those of the German Government. As a result, he decided to emigrate from his homeland. Settling first in London due to fears that he would be forced to join in the ongoing [[American Civil War]], Cullmann eventually came to America in 1865. He moved to Alabama in 1871 and, in 1873, negotiated an agreement to act as agent for a tract of land {{convert|349000|acre|km2}} in size, owned by the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] Company, on which he established a colony for German immigrants.<ref name="founding">{{cite web |
Cullman itself was founded in 1873 by Colonel [[John G. Cullmann]], a German immigrant.<ref>Although some sources state that Cullmann had earlier Americanized his name from "Kullmann," Stanley Johnson, his only surviving American descendant, told ''The Cullman Times'' in 1998 that there are no German records indicating the name "Kullmann", and that "Cullmann" had always been the correct spelling. {{Cite news |title=Cullman: Moving Forward while Treasuring the Past |periodical=The Cullman Times |year=1998}}</ref> Cullmann had been an advocate of democratic reforms in his native [[Bavaria]], having fought and acquired his honorific title "Colonel" during the [[German revolutions of 1848–49|Revolutions of 1848–49]]. After the failure of the revolution, Cullmann found himself in financial ruin. In the years to follow, he would try to re-establish himself in business, but after several setbacks, including a great financial loss in the [[First Schleswig War]], he would remain unsuccessful. As time went on and [[Prussia]], under [[William I, German Emperor|King Wilhelm I]] and his Minister President [[Otto von Bismarck]], began to exert more influence in the German region (eventually [[Unification of Germany|unifying Germany under Prussian rule]] in 1871), Cullmann began to believe that his political ideals were fundamentally incompatible with those of the German Government. As a result, he decided to emigrate from his homeland. Settling first in London due to fears that he would be forced to join in the ongoing [[American Civil War]], Cullmann eventually came to America in 1865. He moved to Alabama in 1871 and, in 1873, negotiated an agreement to act as agent for a tract of land {{convert|349000|acre|km2}} in size, owned by the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] Company, on which he established a colony for German immigrants.<ref name="founding">{{cite web|last=Johnson |first=Stanley |url=http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history1.htm |title=Founding of Cullman |work=co.cullman.al.us |access-date=January 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428001839/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history1.htm |archive-date=April 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical |url=https://archive.org/details/northernalabamah00birm |year=1888 |place=Birmingham |publisher=Smith & Deland}}</ref> |
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|last=Johnson |
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|first=Stanley |
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|url=http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history1.htm |
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|title=Founding of Cullman |
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|work=co.cullman.al.us |
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|access-date=January 28, 2010 |
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|url-status=dead |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428001839/http://www.co.cullman.al.us/history1.htm |
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|archive-date=April 28, 2009 |
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}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title=Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical | url=https://archive.org/details/northernalabamah00birm | year=1888 | place=Birmingham | publisher=Smith & Deland}}</ref> |
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Five German families moved to the area in March 1873; in 1874, the town was incorporated and named after Colonel Cullmann (with the town name being Americanized to 'Cullman' with one 'n'). Over the next 20 years, Cullmann encouraged around 100,000 Germans to immigrate to the United States, with many settling in the Cullman area. Cullmann drew on his military engineering training in laying out and planning the town. During this period, Cullman underwent considerable growth. [[German language|German]] continued to be widely spoken, and Cullmann himself was the publisher of a German-language newspaper. When Cullmann died in 1895, at the age of 72, his funeral was marked by the attendance of Governor [[William C. Oates]].<ref name="founding"/> The site Cullmann selected for his headquarters is now his gravesite. |
Five German families moved to the area in March 1873; in 1874, the town was incorporated and named after Colonel Cullmann (with the town name being Americanized to 'Cullman' with one 'n'). Over the next 20 years, Cullmann encouraged around 100,000 Germans to immigrate to the United States, with many settling in the Cullman area. Cullmann drew on his military engineering training in laying out and planning the town. During this period, Cullman underwent considerable growth. [[German language|German]] continued to be widely spoken, and Cullmann himself was the publisher of a German-language newspaper. When Cullmann died in 1895, at the age of 72, his funeral was marked by the attendance of Governor [[William C. Oates]].<ref name="founding"/> The site Cullmann selected for his headquarters is now his gravesite. |
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German immigrants also founded St. Bernard's Monastery, on the grounds of which is the [[Ave Maria Grotto]], containing 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world. It is Cullman's principal tourist attraction.<ref name="Ave Maria Grotto">{{cite web |
German immigrants also founded St. Bernard's Monastery, on the grounds of which is the [[Ave Maria Grotto]], containing 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world. It is Cullman's principal tourist attraction.<ref name="Ave Maria Grotto">{{cite web|url=http://www.minorsights.com/2015/01/usa-ave-maria-grotto.html |title=The Ave Maria Grotto |work=www.minorsights.com |access-date=March 22, 2015}}</ref> |
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|title=The Ave Maria Grotto |
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|work=www.minorsights.com |
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|access-date=March 22, 2015 |
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}}</ref> |
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From the 1890s |
From the 1890s until the 1950s, Cullman was a [[sundown town]], where African Americans were not allowed to live.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Race Problem |work=The Free Press |location=Ozark, Alabama |date=December 8, 1898 |page=2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29070171/ |via=Newspapers.com |quote=It is our recollection that it was once 'against the law' for a negro to live in Cullman in this state.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Z. B. |work=Scottsboro Progressive Age |location=Scottsboro, Alabama |title=No title}} Reprinted in {{cite news|title=A Bit of Gossip About Things Away From Home |work=The Tribune-Gazette |location=Cullman, Alabama |date=March 2, 1899 |page=7 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29070198/ |via=Newspapers.com |quote=In Cullman there are many handsome homes kept up in the best city style, and the people are so hospitable and social that visitors cannot help but fall in love with the place. Many of the older people speak no English at all, and will not allow it spoken in their families, and negroes are not allowed to live there at all. It seems very strange to find such a town in Alabama.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Senator defends call to 'empty the clip' |first=Phillip |last=Rawls |agency=Associated Press |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |location=Montgomery, Alabama |date=February 9, 2011 |page=4C |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29386059/ |via=Newspapers.com |quote=She said the remarks were especially troubling because [[Scott Beason|[Scott] Beason]] chose to make them in Cullman, an overwhelmingly white city that once was known as a 'sundown town' because blacks feared being there after sunset.}}</ref> The [[Ku Klux Klan]] would maintain a presence in the county throughout the [[civil rights movement]], erecting signs that deterred African Americans from being within the county at night.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} This subsequently led to a rise in population of [[Colony, Alabama]] which was a safe haven for the discriminated. |
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For many years Cullman was a college town, with [[Saint Bernard College]] serving as the home of several hundred students. In the mid-1970s, St. Bernard briefly merged with Sacred Heart College (a two-year Benedictine women's college), to become Southern Benedictine College. That college closed in 1979, and it now operates as [[St. Bernard Preparatory School]], serving grades 9–12. The former site of Sacred Heart College is now the Sacred Heart Monastery, which serves as a retreat center operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery.<ref>{{cite web |
For many years Cullman was a college town, with [[Saint Bernard College]] serving as the home of several hundred students. In the mid-1970s, St. Bernard briefly merged with Sacred Heart College (a two-year Benedictine women's college), to become Southern Benedictine College. That college closed in 1979, and it now operates as [[St. Bernard Preparatory School]], serving grades 9–12. The former site of Sacred Heart College is now the Sacred Heart Monastery, which serves as a retreat center operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stbernardprep.com/node/65 |title=History of St Bernard Prep |work=stbernardprep.com |access-date=January 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716133752/http://www.stbernardprep.com/node/65 |archive-date=July 16, 2011}}</ref> |
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|url=http://www.stbernardprep.com/node/65 |
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|title=History of St Bernard Prep |
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|work=stbernardprep.com |
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|access-date=January 28, 2010 |
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|url-status=dead |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716133752/http://www.stbernardprep.com/node/65 |
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|archive-date=July 16, 2011 |
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}}</ref> |
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During the 20th century, Cullman developed a more diverse economy, including several manufacturing and distribution facilities. The City of Cullman regularly ranks as a top 'micropolitan' city in the nation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/cullman-makes-best-micropolitan-rankings-list/article_f474e732-999a-11ec-8220-9bb7b5696023.html|title=Cullman makes best micropolitan rankings list|work=Cullman Times}}</ref> |
During the 20th century, Cullman developed a more diverse economy, including several manufacturing and distribution facilities. The City of Cullman regularly ranks as a top 'micropolitan' city in the nation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/cullman-makes-best-micropolitan-rankings-list/article_f474e732-999a-11ec-8220-9bb7b5696023.html |title=Cullman makes best micropolitan rankings list |work=Cullman Times}}</ref> |
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Cullman gained national attention in early 2008, when a special election was held to fill a vacancy in the [[Alabama House of Representatives]]. The district that included Cullman elected [[James C. Fields]], an African-American, in that special election.<ref>{{cite news |
Cullman gained national attention in early 2008, when a special election was held to fill a vacancy in the [[Alabama House of Representatives]]. The district that included Cullman elected [[James C. Fields]], an African-American, in that special election.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nossiter |first=Adam |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21race.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Cullman%20election&st=cse&oref=slogin |title=Race Matters Less in Politics of South |work=The New York Times |date=February 21, 2008 |page=A1 |access-date=January 28, 2010}}</ref> |
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Cullman's German heritage was repressed during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], while the United States was fighting Germany. This was reversed in the 1970s, with renewed interest in the city's history and heritage. Today, Cullman holds an annual [[Oktoberfest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cullmanoktoberfest.com/history.cfm|work=Cullman, Alabama Oktoberfest|title=Oktoberfest history Oktoberfest|access-date=November 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212904/http://www.cullmanoktoberfest.com/history.cfm|archive-date=July 8, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> An honorary『[[Bürgermeister]]』is elected for each Oktoberfest. For many years the Oktoberfest did not include alcohol because Cullman was [[dry county|dry]], but starting in 2011 the Oktoberfest was able to offer beer.<ref>{{cite news |
Cullman's German heritage was repressed during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], while the United States was fighting Germany. This was reversed in the 1970s, with renewed interest in the city's history and heritage. Today, Cullman holds an annual [[Oktoberfest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cullmanoktoberfest.com/history.cfm |work=Cullman, Alabama Oktoberfest |title=Oktoberfest history Oktoberfest |access-date=November 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212904/http://www.cullmanoktoberfest.com/history.cfm |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> An honorary『[[Bürgermeister]]』is elected for each Oktoberfest. For many years the Oktoberfest did not include alcohol because Cullman was [[dry county|dry]], but starting in 2011 the Oktoberfest was able to offer beer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101104/NEWS02/11040314/1009/rss04 |title=Cheers: Home of dry Oktoberfest goes wet |work=Montgomery Advertiser |date=November 4, 2010 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=November 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717190536/http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101104/NEWS02/11040314/1009/rss04 |
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|archive-date=July 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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|url = http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101104/NEWS02/11040314/1009/rss04 |
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|title = Cheers: Home of dry Oktoberfest goes wet |
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|work = Montgomery Advertiser |
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|date = November 4, 2010 |
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|agency = Associated Press |
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|access-date = November 29, 2010 |
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|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140717190536/http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20101104/NEWS02/11040314/1009/rss04 |
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|archive-date = July 17, 2014 |
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|url-status = dead |
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|df = mdy-all |
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}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Cullman is located on top of the [[Brindley Mountain]] plateau at {{Coord|34|10| |
Cullman is located on top of the [[Brindley Mountain]] plateau at {{Coord|34|10|35|N|86|50|25|W|type:city}} (34.1764162, -86.8403857).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> This is a close offshoot of the long geographic ridge called [[Sand Mountain (Alabama)|Sand Mountain]], a southmost extension of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. The elevation is {{convert|814|ft|m}}, close to the watershed between the [[Tennessee River]] and the [[Black Warrior River]]. Cullman provides its own town water supply from a city-owned lake within the city limits, Lake Catoma.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cullmancity.org/departments/water%20treatment.htm|title=City of Cullman|website=www.cullmancity.org|access-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702214722/http://www.cullmancity.org/departments/water%20treatment.htm|archive-date=July 2, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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According to the [[United States |
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|24.046|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|22.704|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|1.342|sqmi|km2}}, is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/> |
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New zoning laws and alcohol ordinances have allowed for greater expansion and growth in the downtown Cullman area.<ref name="About - Downtown Cullman">{{Cite news|url=https://downtowncullman.com/about-cullman|title=About - Downtown Cullman|work=Downtown Cullman|access-date=2018 |
New zoning laws and alcohol ordinances have allowed for greater expansion and growth in the downtown Cullman area.<ref name="About - Downtown Cullman">{{Cite news|url=https://downtowncullman.com/about-cullman|title=About - Downtown Cullman|work=Downtown Cullman|access-date=May 15, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> |
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===Climate=== |
===Climate=== |
||
| Line 159: | Line 125: | ||
|location = Cullman, Alabama (Saint Bernard) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present) |
|location = Cullman, Alabama (Saint Bernard) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present) |
||
|single line = Yes |
|single line = Yes |
||
|Jan record high F = 80 |
|Jan record high F = 80 |
||
|Feb record high F = 85 |
|Feb record high F = 85 |
||
| Line 172: | Line 137: | ||
|Nov record high F = 89 |
|Nov record high F = 89 |
||
|Dec record high F = 80 |
|Dec record high F = 80 |
||
|Jan avg record high F = 70.4 |
|Jan avg record high F = 70.4 |
||
|Feb avg record high F = 75.4 |
|Feb avg record high F = 75.4 |
||
| Line 186: | Line 150: | ||
|Dec avg record high F = 71.8 |
|Dec avg record high F = 71.8 |
||
|year avg record high F = 98.9 |
|year avg record high F = 98.9 |
||
|Jan high F = 52.3 |
|Jan high F = 52.3 |
||
|Feb high F = 57.2 |
|Feb high F = 57.2 |
||
| Line 200: | Line 163: | ||
|Dec high F = 55.1 |
|Dec high F = 55.1 |
||
|year high F = |
|year high F = |
||
|Jan mean F = 41.9 |
|Jan mean F = 41.9 |
||
|Feb mean F = 46.1 |
|Feb mean F = 46.1 |
||
| Line 214: | Line 176: | ||
|Dec mean F = 44.4 |
|Dec mean F = 44.4 |
||
|year mean F = |
|year mean F = |
||
|Jan low F = 31.5 |
|Jan low F = 31.5 |
||
|Feb low F = 34.9 |
|Feb low F = 34.9 |
||
| Line 228: | Line 189: | ||
|Dec low F = 33.7 |
|Dec low F = 33.7 |
||
|year low F = |
|year low F = |
||
|Jan avg record low F = 11.1 |
|Jan avg record low F = 11.1 |
||
|Feb avg record low F = 15.6 |
|Feb avg record low F = 15.6 |
||
| Line 242: | Line 202: | ||
|Dec avg record low F = 16.7 |
|Dec avg record low F = 16.7 |
||
|year avg record low F = 8.9 |
|year avg record low F = 8.9 |
||
|Jan record low F = -17 |
|Jan record low F = -17 |
||
|Feb record low F = -7 |
|Feb record low F = -7 |
||
| Line 255: | Line 214: | ||
|Nov record low F = 2 |
|Nov record low F = 2 |
||
|Dec record low F = -5 |
|Dec record low F = -5 |
||
|precipitation colour = green |
|precipitation colour = green |
||
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.72 |
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.72 |
||
| Line 270: | Line 228: | ||
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.87 |
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.87 |
||
|year precipitation inch = |
|year precipitation inch = |
||
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |
||
|Jan precipitation days = 9.4 |
|Jan precipitation days = 9.4 |
||
| Line 284: | Line 241: | ||
|Nov precipitation days = 7.5 |
|Nov precipitation days = 7.5 |
||
|Dec precipitation days = 9.8 |
|Dec precipitation days = 9.8 |
||
|Jan snow inch = 0.3 |
|Jan snow inch = 0.3 |
||
|Feb snow inch = 0.3 |
|Feb snow inch = 0.3 |
||
| Line 298: | Line 254: | ||
|Dec snow inch = 0.1 |
|Dec snow inch = 0.1 |
||
|year snow inch = 1.1 |
|year snow inch = 1.1 |
||
|unit snow days = 0.1 in |
|unit snow days = 0.1 in |
||
|Jan snow days = 0.2 |
|Jan snow days = 0.2 |
||
| Line 313: | Line 268: | ||
|Dec snow days = 0.0 |
|Dec snow days = 0.0 |
||
|year snow days = 0.6 |
|year snow days = 0.6 |
||
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA> |
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA> |
||
{{cite web |
{{cite web |
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| Line 333: | Line 287: | ||
===Severe weather=== |
===Severe weather=== |
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[[File:Cullman Alabama First Methodist Church Damage.jpg|thumbnail|2011 tornado damage]] |
[[File:Cullman Alabama First Methodist Church Damage.jpg|thumbnail|2011 tornado damage]] |
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Downtown was significantly damaged by an [[Enhanced Fujita scale|EF4]] tornado during the [[2011 Super Outbreak]]. Hitting on April 27, it destroyed many buildings in downtown and in an east-side residential area, but caused no fatalities. The twister moved northeast towards [[Arab, Alabama|Arab]] and [[Guntersville, Alabama|Guntersville]], killing two Cullman County residents and at least four others.<ref>{{cite web| |
Downtown was significantly damaged by an [[Enhanced Fujita scale|EF4]] tornado during the [[2011 Super Outbreak]]. Hitting on April 27, it destroyed many buildings in downtown and in an east-side residential area, but caused no fatalities. The twister moved northeast towards [[Arab, Alabama|Arab]] and [[Guntersville, Alabama|Guntersville]], killing two Cullman County residents and at least four others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hun/?n=4272011_cullman_county |title=National Weather Service Huntsville, AL - Cullman County Survey Information |publisher=Srh.noaa.gov |date=March 17, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2013}}</ref> Cullman has since rebuilt and revitalized the downtown area. |
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==Education== |
==Education== |
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| Line 371: | Line 325: | ||
|2010= 14775 |
|2010= 14775 |
||
|2020= 18213 |
|2020= 18213 |
||
|estyear=2022 |
|||
|estimate=19251 |
|||
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=March 6, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}</ref> |
|||
|align-fn=center |
|align-fn=center |
||
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing| |
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
===2020 census=== |
===2020 census=== |
||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
||
|+Cullman racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0118976&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date= |
|+Cullman racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US0118976&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> |
||
!Race |
!Race |
||
!Number |
|||
!Num. |
|||
!Percent |
|||
!Perc. |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) |
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) |
||
| Line 410: | Line 367: | ||
|5.7% |
|5.7% |
||
|} |
|} |
||
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 18,213 people, |
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 18,213 people, 7,445 households, and 4,614 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Cullman%20city,%20Alabama%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=March 6, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> There were 8,023 housing units. |
||
===2010 census=== |
===2010 census=== |
||
The population density was {{convert|765.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 6,957 housing units at an average density of {{convert|365.1|/sqmi}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial]] makeup of the city was 95% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. |
The population density was {{convert|765.0|PD/sqmi}}. There were 6,957 housing units at an average density of {{convert|365.1|/sqmi}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial]] makeup of the city was 95% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. |
||
As of the [[ |
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 14,775 people and 6,957 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85. |
||
In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males. |
In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males. |
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| Line 459: | Line 416: | ||
*[[Paul Bussman]], member of the Alabama Senate |
*[[Paul Bussman]], member of the Alabama Senate |
||
*[[Caleb Clay]], former MLB pitcher |
*[[Caleb Clay]], former MLB pitcher |
||
*[[Melinda Dillon]], actress<ref>Wahls, Robert (October 28, 1962). [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97826888/daily-news/ "90-Day Wonder: An Unknown Only Three Months Ago, 23-year-old Actress Melinda Dillon Shot to Stardom in Broadway Debut"]. ''New York Daily News''. Sec. |
*[[Melinda Dillon]], actress<ref>Wahls, Robert (October 28, 1962). [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97826888/daily-news/ "90-Day Wonder: An Unknown Only Three Months Ago, 23-year-old Actress Melinda Dillon Shot to Stardom in Broadway Debut"]. ''New York Daily News''. Sec. 2, pg. 16. Retrieved March 18, 2022.</ref> |
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*[[Jamelle Folsom]], First Lady of Alabama |
*[[Jamelle Folsom]], First Lady of Alabama 1948–1951 and 1955–1959<ref name=ma>{{cite news|title=Former Ala. first lady Jamelle Folsom dies at 85 |url=http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/viewart/20121202/NEWS02/312020015/Former-Ala-first-lady-Jamelle-Folsom-dies-85 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |date=December 2, 2012 |access-date=December 30, 2012}}{{dead link|date=August 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> |
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*[[Jim Folsom|James E. "Big Jim" Folsom]], [[List of governors of Alabama|Governor of Alabama]] |
*[[Jim Folsom|James E. "Big Jim" Folsom]], [[List of governors of Alabama|Governor of Alabama]] 1947–1951 and 1955–1959 |
||
*[[Jim Folsom Jr.|James E. "Little Jim" Folsom Jr.]], [[List of governors of Alabama|Governor of Alabama]] |
*[[Jim Folsom Jr.|James E. "Little Jim" Folsom Jr.]], [[List of governors of Alabama|Governor of Alabama]] 1993–1995, [[List of lieutenant governors of Alabama|Lieutenant Governor of Alabama]] 1987–1993 and 2007–2011 |
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*[[Morgan Smith Goodwin]], actress |
*[[Morgan Smith Goodwin]], actress |
||
*[[Roger Hallmark]], country musician |
*[[Roger Hallmark]], country musician |
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| Line 485: | Line 442: | ||
*[[Larry Willingham]], NFL player |
*[[Larry Willingham]], NFL player |
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== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist|30em}} |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Cullman, Alabama}} |
{{Commons category|Cullman, Alabama}} |
||
*[https://cullmanal.gov/ City of Cullman |
* [https://cullmanal.gov/ City of Cullman – Official Website] |
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{{Cullman County, Alabama}} |
{{Cullman County, Alabama}} |
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Cullman, Alabama
| |
|---|---|
Hwy 278 & Hwy 31
| |
Flag 
Logo | |
| Motto:
"A City of Character"
| |
Location of Cullman in Cullman County, Alabama
| |
| Coordinates: 34°10′35″N 86°50′25″W / 34.17639°N 86.84028°W / 34.17639; -86.84028 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Cullman |
| Founded | 1873 |
| Incorporated | March 6, 1875[1] |
| Named for | Colonel Johann Gottfried Cullmann |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| • Mayor | Woody Jacobs |
| Area | |
| • City | 24.046 sq mi (62.279 km2) |
| • Land | 22.704 sq mi (58.802 km2) |
| • Water | 1.342 sq mi (3.477 km2) |
| Elevation | 814 ft (248 m) |
| Population | |
| • City | 18,213 |
| • Estimate
(2022)[5]
| 19,251 |
| • Density | 851/sq mi (328.6/km2) |
| • Urban | 21,165 |
| • Urban density | 985/sq mi (380.2/km2) |
| • Metro | 90,665 |
| • Metro density | 123.4/sq mi (47.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC–6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC–5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
35055, 35056, 35057, 35058
|
| Area code(s) | 256 and 938 |
| FIPS code | 01-18976 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404166[3] |
| Website | cullmanal.gov |
Cullman is the largest city and county seatofCullman County, Alabama, United States. It is located along Interstate 65, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Birmingham and about 55 miles (89 km) south of Huntsville. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 18,213,[4] with an estimated population of 19,251 in 2022.[5]
Before European colonization, the area that today includes Cullman was originally in the territory of the Cherokee Nation. The region was traversed by a trail known as the Black Warrior's Path, which led from the Tennessee River near the present location of Florence, Alabama, to a point on the Black Warrior River south of Cullman. This trail figured significantly in Cherokee history, and it featured prominently in the American Indian Wars prior to the establishment of the state of Alabama and the relocation of several American Indian tribes, including the Creek people westward along the Trail of Tears. During the Creek War in 1813, General Andrew Jackson of the U.S. Army dispatched a contingent of troops down the trail, one of which included the frontiersman Davy Crockett.[6]
In the 1820s and the 1830s, two toll roads were built linking the Tennessee Valley to present-day Birmingham. In 1822, Abraham Stout was given a charter by the Alabama Legislature to open and turnpike a road beginning from Gandy's Cove in Morgan County to the ghost town of Baltimore on the Mulberry Fork near Colony. The road passed near present-day Vinemont through Cullman, Good Hope, and down the current Interstate 65 corridor to the Mulberry Fork. The road was later extended to Elyton (Birmingham) in 1827. It then became known as Stout's Road. Mace Thomas Payne Brindley was given a charter in 1833 to turnpike two roads, one running between Blount SpringstoSomerville by way of his homestead in present-day Simcoe, and the second road passing west of Hanceville and east of Downtown Cullman to join Stout's Road north of the city. What later became the Brindley Turnpike became an extension of Stout's Road to Decatur. Cullman later became located between the juncture of the two roads, and they predated the corridor of U.S. Route 31.
During the Civil War, the future location of Cullman was the site of the minor Battle of Day's Gap. On April 30, 1863, Union forces under the command of Colonel Abel Streight won a victory over forces under Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. This battle was part of a campaign and chase known collectively as Streight's Raid. Although Streight got the upper hand in this battle, Forrest would have the last laugh. In one of the more humorous moments of the war, Streight sought a truce and negotiations with Forrest in present-day Cherokee County near present-day Gaylesville. Although Streight's force was larger than Forrest's, while the two were negotiating, Forrest had his troops march repeatedly in a circuitous route past the site of the talks. Thinking himself to be badly outnumbered, Streight surrendered to Forrest.[7]
Cullman itself was founded in 1873 by Colonel John G. Cullmann, a German immigrant.[8] Cullmann had been an advocate of democratic reforms in his native Bavaria, having fought and acquired his honorific title "Colonel" during the Revolutions of 1848–49. After the failure of the revolution, Cullmann found himself in financial ruin. In the years to follow, he would try to re-establish himself in business, but after several setbacks, including a great financial loss in the First Schleswig War, he would remain unsuccessful. As time went on and Prussia, under King Wilhelm I and his Minister President Otto von Bismarck, began to exert more influence in the German region (eventually unifying Germany under Prussian rule in 1871), Cullmann began to believe that his political ideals were fundamentally incompatible with those of the German Government. As a result, he decided to emigrate from his homeland. Settling first in London due to fears that he would be forced to join in the ongoing American Civil War, Cullmann eventually came to America in 1865. He moved to Alabama in 1871 and, in 1873, negotiated an agreement to act as agent for a tract of land 349,000 acres (1,410 km2) in size, owned by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, on which he established a colony for German immigrants.[9][10]
Five German families moved to the area in March 1873; in 1874, the town was incorporated and named after Colonel Cullmann (with the town name being Americanized to 'Cullman' with one 'n'). Over the next 20 years, Cullmann encouraged around 100,000 Germans to immigrate to the United States, with many settling in the Cullman area. Cullmann drew on his military engineering training in laying out and planning the town. During this period, Cullman underwent considerable growth. German continued to be widely spoken, and Cullmann himself was the publisher of a German-language newspaper. When Cullmann died in 1895, at the age of 72, his funeral was marked by the attendance of Governor William C. Oates.[9] The site Cullmann selected for his headquarters is now his gravesite.
German immigrants also founded St. Bernard's Monastery, on the grounds of which is the Ave Maria Grotto, containing 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world. It is Cullman's principal tourist attraction.[11]
From the 1890s until the 1950s, Cullman was a sundown town, where African Americans were not allowed to live.[12][13][14] The Ku Klux Klan would maintain a presence in the county throughout the civil rights movement, erecting signs that deterred African Americans from being within the county at night.[citation needed] This subsequently led to a rise in population of Colony, Alabama which was a safe haven for the discriminated.
For many years Cullman was a college town, with Saint Bernard College serving as the home of several hundred students. In the mid-1970s, St. Bernard briefly merged with Sacred Heart College (a two-year Benedictine women's college), to become Southern Benedictine College. That college closed in 1979, and it now operates as St. Bernard Preparatory School, serving grades 9–12. The former site of Sacred Heart College is now the Sacred Heart Monastery, which serves as a retreat center operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery.[15]
During the 20th century, Cullman developed a more diverse economy, including several manufacturing and distribution facilities. The City of Cullman regularly ranks as a top 'micropolitan' city in the nation.[16]
Cullman gained national attention in early 2008, when a special election was held to fill a vacancy in the Alabama House of Representatives. The district that included Cullman elected James C. Fields, an African-American, in that special election.[17]
Cullman's German heritage was repressed during World War I and World War II, while the United States was fighting Germany. This was reversed in the 1970s, with renewed interest in the city's history and heritage. Today, Cullman holds an annual Oktoberfest.[18] An honorary "Bürgermeister" is elected for each Oktoberfest. For many years the Oktoberfest did not include alcohol because Cullman was dry, but starting in 2011 the Oktoberfest was able to offer beer.[19]
Cullman is located on top of the Brindley Mountain plateau at 34°10′35″N 86°50′25″W / 34.17639°N 86.84028°W / 34.17639; -86.84028 (34.1764162, -86.8403857).[20] This is a close offshoot of the long geographic ridge called Sand Mountain, a southmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains. The elevation is 814 feet (248 m), close to the watershed between the Tennessee River and the Black Warrior River. Cullman provides its own town water supply from a city-owned lake within the city limits, Lake Catoma.[21]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.046 square miles (62.28 km2), of which 22.704 square miles (58.80 km2) is land and 1.342 square miles (3.48 km2), is water.[2]
New zoning laws and alcohol ordinances have allowed for greater expansion and growth in the downtown Cullman area.[22]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cullman has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[23]
| Climate data for Cullman, Alabama (Saint Bernard) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
85 (29) |
89 (32) |
92 (33) |
96 (36) |
104 (40) |
110 (43) |
108 (42) |
107 (42) |
98 (37) |
89 (32) |
80 (27) |
110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 70.4 (21.3) |
75.4 (24.1) |
81.2 (27.3) |
86.0 (30.0) |
90.1 (32.3) |
94.8 (34.9) |
97.1 (36.2) |
96.9 (36.1) |
94.4 (34.7) |
87.1 (30.6) |
79.4 (26.3) |
71.8 (22.1) |
98.9 (37.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 52.3 (11.3) |
57.2 (14.0) |
65.2 (18.4) |
73.7 (23.2) |
80.5 (26.9) |
86.7 (30.4) |
89.7 (32.1) |
89.6 (32.0) |
84.7 (29.3) |
74.6 (23.7) |
63.3 (17.4) |
55.1 (12.8) |
72.7 (22.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 41.9 (5.5) |
46.1 (7.8) |
53.4 (11.9) |
61.5 (16.4) |
69.1 (20.6) |
76.0 (24.4) |
79.4 (26.3) |
79.4 (26.3) |
73.4 (23.0) |
62.1 (16.7) |
51.1 (10.6) |
44.4 (6.9) |
61.5 (16.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 31.5 (−0.3) |
34.9 (1.6) |
41.6 (5.3) |
49.4 (9.7) |
57.8 (14.3) |
65.3 (18.5) |
69.2 (20.7) |
69.2 (20.7) |
62.1 (16.7) |
49.7 (9.8) |
38.9 (3.8) |
33.7 (0.9) |
50.3 (10.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 11.1 (−11.6) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
21.2 (−6.0) |
30.2 (−1.0) |
40.4 (4.7) |
52.3 (11.3) |
59.0 (15.0) |
57.7 (14.3) |
46.0 (7.8) |
31.2 (−0.4) |
20.9 (−6.2) |
16.7 (−8.5) |
8.9 (−12.8) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −17 (−27) |
−7 (−22) |
5 (−15) |
21 (−6) |
30 (−1) |
40 (4) |
48 (9) |
48 (9) |
34 (1) |
19 (−7) |
2 (−17) |
−5 (−21) |
−17 (−27) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.72 (145) |
5.86 (149) |
5.68 (144) |
5.43 (138) |
4.93 (125) |
4.86 (123) |
4.58 (116) |
3.93 (100) |
4.61 (117) |
3.91 (99) |
4.94 (125) |
5.87 (149) |
60.32 (1,530) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.3 (0.76) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
1.1 (2.8) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.4 | 9.7 | 10.4 | 8.2 | 9.2 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 8.4 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 9.8 | 105.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 |
| Source: NOAA[24][25] | |||||||||||||
Downtown was significantly damaged by an EF4 tornado during the 2011 Super Outbreak. Hitting on April 27, it destroyed many buildings in downtown and in an east-side residential area, but caused no fatalities. The twister moved northeast towards Arab and Guntersville, killing two Cullman County residents and at least four others.[26] Cullman has since rebuilt and revitalized the downtown area.
The Cullman City School System operates five schools:
Other schools in Cullman include:
Cullman is also the home of Wallace State Community CollegeinHanceville.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 426 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,017 | 138.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,255 | 23.4% | |
| 1910 | 2,130 | 69.7% | |
| 1920 | 2,467 | 15.8% | |
| 1930 | 2,786 | 12.9% | |
| 1940 | 5,074 | 82.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,523 | 48.3% | |
| 1960 | 10,883 | 44.7% | |
| 1970 | 12,601 | 15.8% | |
| 1980 | 13,084 | 3.8% | |
| 1990 | 13,367 | 2.2% | |
| 2000 | 13,995 | 4.7% | |
| 2010 | 14,775 | 5.6% | |
| 2020 | 18,213 | 23.3% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 19,251 | [5] | 5.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[27] 2020 Census[4] | |||
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 15,883 | 87.21% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 236 | 1.3% |
| Native American | 29 | 0.16% |
| Asian | 291 | 1.6% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 731 | 4.01% |
| HispanicorLatino | 1,039 | 5.7% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 18,213 people, 7,445 households, and 4,614 families residing in the city.[29] There were 8,023 housing units.
The population density was 765.0 inhabitants per square mile (295.4/km2). There were 6,957 housing units at an average density of 365.1 per square mile (141.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the 2010 census, there were 14,775 people and 6,957 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,164, and the median income for a family was $41,313. Males had a median income of $32,863 versus $21,647 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,484. About 9.4% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.
Cullman was ranked among Bloomberg Businessweek's 50 Best Places to Raise Your Kids in 2012[30] based on the city's educational and economic factors, crime level, air quality, amenities, and ethnic diversity.
Cullman is in the TV broadcasting areas of Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama.
There are two low-power broadcasting stations in Cullman: WCQT-LD TV-27 and CATV-2. Cullman also has a PEG station, CCTV55, which is run by students at Cullman High School. CCTV55 was known as CATS-55 at one time.
Interstate 65
U.S. Highway 31
U.S. Highway 278
State Route 69
State Route 157It is our recollection that it was once 'against the law' for a negro to live in Cullman in this state.
In Cullman there are many handsome homes kept up in the best city style, and the people are so hospitable and social that visitors cannot help but fall in love with the place. Many of the older people speak no English at all, and will not allow it spoken in their families, and negroes are not allowed to live there at all. It seems very strange to find such a town in Alabama.
She said the remarks were especially troubling because [Scott] Beason chose to make them in Cullman, an overwhelmingly white city that once was known as a 'sundown town' because blacks feared being there after sunset.
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