Flying Fifty hotel opens with salute to Cullman’s heritage

CULLMAN — A salute to Cullman’s past will be opening in the present to provide hospitality for the future.

The Flying Fifty is a boutique hotel set to open its doors next month. The owners, Challie and Paul Knetter, named the hotel after a big moment in the city’s history.

“In the 1950s, during a time when many residents were forced to seek employment outside of Alabama, a transformative moment unfolded in Cullman,” posted on Facebook. “Mrs. Betty Bledsoe received a casual phone call from a friend, who had just eaten at the All Steak restaurant and was bound for Mississippi with a group of men to locate land for a King Edward’s Cigar Plant. After the call, Betty alerted her husband, Dr. Leroy Bledsoe, and the Chamber of Commerce hastily convened.

“The following morning, a group of 48 men, self-dubbed ‘The Flying Fifty,’ boarded planes on a mission to meet with the board of directors at King Edward’s headquarters. During this meeting, the Flying Fifty effectively persuaded Mr. Swisher to designate Cullman as the location for their plant.”

The couple said the endeavor was a testament to Cullman’s community spirit and ingenuity.

“The Flying Fifty, with their determination and resourcefulness, played a pivotal role ensuring a brighter future for our town,” they posted.

The hotel will feature seven luxury hybrid self-check-in hotel suites, each with a theme focusing on the region.

And, that’s not all.

“What makes it even more special is our commitment to showcasing the best of Alabama, with the use of locally made products throughout the hotel, including Redland Cotton towels, HomTex sheets, Blue Spring Living Water and more,” Knetter said.