for four years. Rebuilding Culpeper’s economy and infrastructure would take time. “We were leſt with a very depressed economy,” said local historian


Zann Nelson. “By 1882, many of the leaders in the community got together and formed what probably was the precursor of the Chamber, the Commercial and Industrial Association.” T is association was used to promote, build, and improve


business in Culpeper. Banking would be a key piece of economic growth, and the need was great. Association members helped open the doors for small independent banks, as well as larger entities like Farmers National Bank and Second National Bank.


Founding members of the Chamber Around 1900, Association members recognized the need for an


organization where leaders could meet, hold discussions, and make decisions that would expand the economy. T ree men had the foresight to understand this need, stepping up to form a committee for this purpose. Of them was J. L. Fray, Culpeper’s most prominent entrepreneur


who opened the town's fi rst garage, Culpeper Automobile Company, and built the Fairfax T eatre in 1914. A. L. Goodloe, who owned and ran the Masonic Temple Store, and L Frank Smith, who was a founding member of Co. 1 Volunteer Fire Department. “A lot of the early Chamber activity was centered through


1940 The Chamber’s newly elected offi cers. THE VIRGINIA STAR


the banks as far as leadership, and they gave their people time to participate within the community,” said longtime Culpeper businessman Tom Boyd. “T ese three people came from diff erent


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CULPEPER CHAMBER COMMUNITY GUIDE | 51


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