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The Town of Culpeper, established in 1759, developed adjacent to the
Culpeper County Courthouse. George Washington, working on his first
public commission, undertook the land survey that formed the basis
for the layout of the town.
The town was incorporated in 1834 as a
town of 300 residents; there were 36 houses, 3 hotels, 7 stores and
24 other commercial and professional establishments. In 1853 the
coming of the Orange and Alexander Railroad transformed the rural
county seat into a major trading and shipping point of the Virginia
Piedmont. Commercial warehouse and hotel activity and a strong local
economy based on agriculture characterized Culpeper until the town's
strategic railroad location made it a significant supply station and
occupation site during the Civil War. Intense military action
devastated county farms and interrupted the town's commercial growth
and development.
After the war, the governmental center moved to a location on West
Davis Street away from the busy "Wharf" area near the railroad depot
where hotels, livery stables, warehouses, hardwares, and other stores
strived in the railroad era. Between 1900 and 1940, commercial
development flourished in the Culpeper Business District as evidenced
by the construction of approximately 70 commercial and industrial
buildings. With the increased popularity of the automobile the emphasis
in trade gradually shifted from the railroad to the highways. With
this shift, the "Wharf" area declined in retail importance and became
an area with decaying buildings and a target for crime.
Today the "Wharf" area boasts a newly renovated Depot that houses
the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce,
Culpeper Department of
Tourism and the Windmore Foundation for the Arts. The once vacant
buildings in the area now house restaurants and unique shops and
galleries. The renovated area is also the site of special events
hosted by Culpeper Renaissance Inc. such as the summer concert series
and the July 4th Car & Bike Show.
Downtown Culpeper has a significant collection of 19th and 20th
century commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. There
is a broad range of architectural styles representative of the
eclecticism of its historic periods. The A. P. Hill Boyhood
Home and the Frost Diner on opposite corners of the Main and
Davis Streets intersection demonstrates the Italianate style.
Downtown Culpeper is rich in architectural details such as
decorative brick cornices on otherwise utilitarian brick
commercial buildings.
To capture the full flavor of these
wonderful buildings, pause for a few moments and look up or
you will miss much of the decorative work of the artisans of
yesterday that contributed to the beauty of the downtown.
These historic buildings now house an array of specialty shops,
fine restaurants, antique shops and professional offices.
Take a break from the ordinary and enjoy the extra-ordinary
experience of an eclectic selection of gifts from around the world,
gourmet chocolate, fine wines. Browse our antique shops, galleries,
books and other specialty shops.
Downtown Culpeper offers a truly delectable array of dining choices
for all tastes, from light fare to home cooking to gourmet dining.
Please also take a moment to visit the Culpeper Department of Tourism web site at
www.visitculpeperva.com.
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