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  • JUSTIN GRAVES/THE CULLMAN T TIMES Col. John Cullman's 188th birthday was celebrated Thursday.

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June 30, 2011

Cullman celebrates birthday of founding father

By Justin Graves The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Col. John G. Cullmann looks good as ever.

Even at the ripe old age of 188.

Or at least that’s the way it appeared to a group of children gathered at the Festhalle Marketplatz Thursday afternoon for the birthday celebration of Cullman’s founding father.

The real Cullmann was unable to attend, but Larry Rowlette did a fine job of filling in — just like he does each and every year.

Dressed in the dapper attire of the late 1800s, Rowlette, a Col. Cullmann impersonator, entertained both children and adults alike while enjoying a little cake and ice cream on the sunny June afternoon.

The small town that Cullmann founded in 1877 has now blossomed into city of almost 15,500. But as Cullman’s most current public leader, Mayor Max Townson, pointed out, the city still has the same friendly, small-town charm that’s always made it unique.

Townson showed his appreciation to the city’s founding father by presenting Col. Cullmann with a specially-marked coin after leading the crowd in the singing of “Happy Birthday” in the founder’s honor.

The coin bears a relief image of the city on one face and a military emblem representing the military rank of Colonel, according to Townson, on the other. The gesture was the city’s way of recognizing Rowlette for many years of enthusiastic dedication in portraying Cullmann at Oktoberfest celebrations and other events that traditionally call for historical recreation.

Cullman, settled by the German émigré and a number of German families in 1873, was incorporated into a city only five years later and quickly grew into a prosperous agricultural community, a reputation it maintains to this day.

The birthday celebration was hosted by the Cullman Museum.

‰ Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225 or by email at justing@cullmantimes.com.

 

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