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, hardware, 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 -
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.

Culpeper has much to offer new residents and I would be happy to show you homes in this area. I have just recently sold a home in Culpeper  and can sell yours as well.

Give me a call at: (540) 341-3527 or send me an email at:  Audrey.Graham@LongandFoster.com