Festhalle Farmers Market

HISTORY: Cullman, Alabama, was founded in 1873 by Col. John Gottfried Cullmann. Col. Cullmann bought land from what was then the North-South (later the L&N) Railroad and founded Cullman as a colony for German refugees. He then advertised for settlers, in the U.S. and in Germany. The first families arrived in 1873, and the City of Cullman was incorporated in 1874. Cullman County was incorporated in 1877. FOUNDER: Col. John G. Cullmann was a refugee when he came to America in 1866, forced to leave his hometown of Frankweiler, Germany. He lived briefly in Cincinnati, Ohio. He dreamed of a colony for German refugees like himself, and found the perfect spot for his colony in North Alabama. After purchasing land from the railroad, he set out to make his dream come true. He was instrumental in Cullman's early development and growth, yet never held public office. GOVERNMENT: The City of Cullman's government consists of a Mayor and a five-member City Council. The Mayor is Max A. Townson. Council members are Garlan E. Gudger, Jr., Andy Page, John W. Cook, Clint Hollingsworth, and Jenny Folsom. The City Clerk, who is appointed by the City Council, is Ruth W. Rose. The City Clerk authenticates and records official acts of the City Council and maintains all city records DEMOGRAPHICS: The City of Cullman is the county seat of Cullman County. Cullman County is centrally located between Birmingham, the iron & coal center of the south, and Huntsville, home of the Space & Rocket Center and Redstone Arsenal. We have an excellent year-round climate with short, mild winters and long, warm summers. Population at the 2000 U.S. Census was 13,972 (City of Cullman) and 77,483 (Cullman County). TOURISM & PARKS: Cullman is an area of unsurpassed beauty! We have many beautiful tourist attractions and parks in the City of Cullman and Cullman County. One of the sites described on this age is the world-famous Ave Maria Grotto, which is located on the grounds of Alabama's only Benedictine Abbey and features miniature replicas of famous churches, shrines and buildings from all over the world. Parks include Heritage Park, Field of Miracles, and the new Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center. EDUCATION: Cullman's public schools are ranked among the top in Alabama. The Superintendent of Cullman City Schools is Dr. Jan Harris. The Superintendent of Cullman County Schools is Mr. Hank Allen. We also have excellent private schools. Wallace State College, located in the City of Hanceville, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College SISTER CITY: Frankweiler, Germany, was the hometown of our founder, Col. John G. Cullmann. A permanent partnership was formed in 1987 and, since that time, there have been many visits between our two communities by the Cullman Friends of Frankweiler and the Frankweiler Friends of Cullman clubs. Frankweiler is situated on the eastern slopes of the Haardt mountains, about 6 km north of Landau "The Garden Town. It is a municipality in Südliche Weinstraße district in Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany. Find out more about our Sister City and the Cullman Friends of Frankweiler!