Clark D. Edwards

About Smith Lake

Almost 50 miles equidistant from Huntsville and Birmingham, Cullman lives up to its nickname, "A City of Character." Cullman is well known for being a family town with a great many surprises that many people may not know about-but that its residents love. Located just 22 miles from Cullman is spectacular Lewis Smith Lake. With more than 500 miles of shoreline with panoramic views and amazing sunsets, Smith Lake is one of north Alabama's premier locations for lakefront homes.

Community

Cullman was founded in 1873 by Colonel Johann Gottfried Cullmann, a German who emigrated to the United States in 1866. Colonel Cullmann encouraged other Germans to follow his example. In the late 1800s, thousands of Germans settled in the United States, many in the Cullman area. Today Cullman honors its German heritage today with an annual Oktoberfest. The city is also known for hosting festivals, fairs, and concert events, including the Bloomin Festival arts festival and Rock the South, a two-day music festival that attracts more than 40,000 attendees.

Schools and Education

Cullman City Schools includes a primary school for grades K-1, two elementary schools for grades 2-6, a middle school for grades 7-8, and one high school. Overall, Cullman schools rank among the best in the state. Cullman High School has been named one of the top high schools in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report. Nearby Wallace State Community College in Hanceville is a top-notch school for athletics, boasting many national champion teams in softball, golf, tennis, volleyball, and cheerleading.

Recreation and Culture

The City of Cullman has outstanding parks and recreation facilities. The award-winning Heritage Park sports complex hosts team sports and tournaments that attract tens of thousands of spectators. Festhalle Market Platz promotes Cullman's agricultural industry through its farmer's market, housed in the largest timber-framed building in Alabama. The Cullman Civic Center boasts more than 12,000 square feet of space for conferences, meetings, and special events. Landmarks like Ave Maria Grotto and Clarkson Covered Bridge bring tourists to the area and give locals a great deal of pride. The grotto features miniature replicas of famous churches, shrines, and buildings from all over the world.

Economics and Infrastructure

The top employers in Cullman include Cullman County Schools, Cullman Regional Medical Center, and the local Wal-Mart distribution center. Cullman is the county seat of Cullman County, the top agriculture producing county in the Alabama. Cullman County's agricultural, forestry, and related industries provide jobs for about 40 percent of the county's workforce.