Culberson, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Culberson, North Carolina
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Houses in Culberson
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 Culberson, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Culberson, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Cherokee |
| Elevation | 1,627 ft (496 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28903
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| Area code(s) | 828 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1010605 |
Culberson is a small, quiet place in North Carolina. It's not a city or a town with its own government. Instead, it's called an unincorporated community. This means it's part of Cherokee County but doesn't have its own mayor or town council. You can find Culberson near the border of Georgia, along North Carolina Highway 60. It's about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of a bigger town called Murphy. Even though it's small, Culberson has its own post office, some local shops, churches, and even a flea market!
Contents
A Look Back at Culberson's History
Early Settlers and Native Americans
Long ago, around 1817, some of the first white farmers settled here. They married Native Americans and were given land along the Nottley River. This community later offered a safe place for some Cherokee people in 1838. At that time, many Cherokee were being forced to leave their homes.
In the early days, people in Culberson mostly worked in logging and farming. The community was officially organized by a man named Henry Culberson. He was a carpenter, farmer, blacksmith, and even the postmaster. Henry Culberson sold land for homes and businesses. He also donated land for the first school and the railroad.
The Railroad Era and Growth
A big change came to Culberson in 1887 when the railroad arrived. This was a whole year before the railroad reached Murphy, a larger town nearby! The train line connected Culberson to cities like Marietta, Knoxville, and Atlanta. Up to six trains would pass through Culberson every day. This railroad later became part of the L&N company.
Because of the railroad, Culberson grew quickly. In the early 1900s, the railroad company even ran a hotel here. When Culberson became an official town, Henry Culberson's son, John McAllister, served as its first mayor. Churches were also built, with a Methodist church in 1896 and a Baptist church in 1897. Culberson became the largest town in Cherokee County, with about 400 people living there.
Modern Changes in Culberson
In 1934, a new road, North Carolina Highway 60, was built through Culberson. This road connected Blairsville to Murphy. After the road opened, more traffic started going directly to Murphy instead of stopping in Culberson.
Over the years, some local businesses and buildings closed. Clark Byers Grocery Store, a long-standing local shop, operated from 1937 until 2018. The Culberson School closed in the early 1950s when schools in the area combined. However, the Culberson Community Center opened in the late 1970s, giving the community a place to gather. Sadly, some historic buildings have been lost. The old railroad hotel burned down around 2008. The Dicky House, which was Henry Culberson's home built in 1888, also burned down in 2022. Today, fewer than 50 people live within the old town limits of Culberson.
Education
Students in Culberson, from kindergarten to eighth grade, attend Ranger Elementary/Middle School.
Places of Worship
Culberson is home to several churches:
- Cornerstone Baptist Church
- Culberson Baptist Church
- Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
Nearby Communities
- Murphy, North Carolina (about 10 miles northeast)
- Mineral Bluff, Georgia (about 8 miles southwest)
