This feature originally ran in our Community Matters magazine.
A great way to explore Cullman for a day is to take a self-guided tour of the downtown murals. These large artworks are found throughout the area and celebrate the people, places and events that shaped the community as well as bring pops of color and life to the streets.
Start your tour at the Cullman Depot mural, painted by Jack Tupper. This mural shows one of the first railroads that brought settlers and new opportunities to Cullman. 412 Second Ave. NE
A few blocks from there, you’ll find the Buy Fresh, Buy Local mural at the Festhalle Farmers Market, painted by Donald Walker. This bright mural highlights Cullman’s farming history and celebrates local farmers, fresh produce and the community. 209 First Ave NE
Another mural to check out is the U.S.S. Cullman mural, also painted by Jack Tupper. This large mural honors the U.S.S. Cullman, a transport ship named after the city. The U.S. Naval Historical Center notes that the ship was commissioned in January 1945 and served in the Pacific during the last months of World War II. It carried troops and cargo to places like Pearl Harbor, the Philippines and Japan. Most importantly, the U.S.S. Cullman was in Tokyo Bay during the Japanese surrender on Sept. 2, 1945. 228 Third Ave. SE
Stop by the First Cullman High School mural. Artist Bethany Kerr, with help from local students, created this mural to honor Cullman’s first high school, which opened in the early 1900s. The school was built on land given by community leaders and graduated its first class of six students in 1912. 219 First Ave. SW
Another favorite downtown is the Jazz Feeds mural, restored by Bethany Kerr. It’s on a building that used to be home to Cullman Banana Supply. 104 First Ave. NE
When you enter Cullman from the north, you’ll see the Welcome to Beautiful Cullman mural. It shows Col. Cullmann, who is usually pictured from the left side because of a scar he got during a disagreement with an early settler. 915 Second Ave. NW
You can end your tour at the Cullman in the 1800s mural. This mural acts as a visual time capsule of Cullman’s early days. It shows historic landmarks and businesses like Kinney Horse and Mule Barn, the first fire station, Werdt’s German Restaurant, Dinckelberg’s Santa Claus Store and the county’s first courthouse. 427 Second Ave. SW
All these murals (there are even more!) turn downtown Cullman into an open-air gallery where art and history come together. If you want to keep exploring, you can find more murals around Cullman County. There are installations at Art Park in downtown Cullman and in Hanceville.
Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/muralscullman.
Buy Fresh, Buy Local mural (Cullman Tribune file photo)
First Cullman High School mural (Cullman Tribune file photo)
Jazz Feeds mural (Cullman Tribune file photo)
U.S.S. Cullman mural (Cullman Tribune file photo)
