The Founding of JP Cullen
1860 – George P. Cullen becomes a respected carpenter and home-builder in Janesville, WI
1892 – George’s son John Patrick (J.P.) Cullen founds his company, originally named Cullen Brothers, emphasizing housing construction
The First Projects
1903 – Cullen Brothers builds a library in Clinton, Iowa – one of its first projects outside Wisconsin
1905 – A contract is secured for erecting a federal courthouse and post office in Hammond, Indiana – Cullen’s first such job
Project at General Motors
1916 – Construction begins on Samson Tractor Company in Janesville. When the company is purchased by General Motors in 1919, Cullen builds the automaker’s assembly plant; J.P. Cullen Company is incorporated
Mark A. Cullen Joins the Firm
1918 – The company is renamed to J.P. Cullen & Son when Mark Cullen joins the firm after World War I
1921 – J.P. Cullen & Son construct Janesville High School which still stands in downtown Janesville as an apartment complex
Opening the Door in Madison
1925 – John Patrick (J.P.) Cullen is born on September 28; Mark Cullen starts work on the University of Wisconsin’s Bascom Hall
1930s – During the Great Depression, contracts are received for federal buildings and post offices around the United States
1941-1942 – Camp McCoy built in central Wisconsin
1950s – The firm works on several UW buildings, including a Diagnostic Center for the medical school, the state lab of hygiene and the Army Mathematics Research Center
1958 – Work commences on the Wilson Street state office building in Madison
1960 – J.P. Cullen named company president
1968 – JP Cullen builds the Beloit Memorial Hospital
12 Year Refurbishment Process of Wisconsin State Capitol
1970s – The firm’s first in-office IBM Systems-32 is installed. It builds George Hormel & Company plants in Iowa and Beloit, as well as water treatment plants, power plants, schools, more medical facilities and government buildings. One tough job is the start of a 12-year refurbishment process of the venerable Wisconsin State Capitol
Cullen Brothers Move to Management
1982 – J.P. Cullen steps back from company management, with sons Mark becoming president and David as vice-president
1983 – The Cullen’s win the refurbishment contract for the Parker Pen offices in Janesville
1986 – Nine-story Manchester Place is completed, helping the revitalization of downtown Madison
1987 – The company updates the Chrysler Motors Corporation assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois
1990 – Continuing its long history of construction partnership with General Motors, J.P. Cullen remodels the firm’s Janesville production facility, totaling over 3,000,000 sf over time
J.P. Cullen Foundation
1992 – J.P. Cullen celebrates its 100th anniversary with a party on September 17 at the Janesville Country Club; a J.P. Cullen Scholarship is established at the University of Wisconsin to encourage construction careers, as well as a J.P. Cullen Foundation to aid charitable causes
1996 – The Masonry Division is established
Process Improvement
1997 – Richard Cullen and team implement Process Improvement, challenging everyone to identify and eliminate wasteful and unnecessary procedures
1999 – Construction starts on Wisconsin’s expansive Law and Justice Center; the company’s Milwaukee branch office opens
Cullen Construction College
2000 – The Cullen Construction College is launched, helping staffers to academically advance in their chosen fields
2003– The University of Wisconsin Engineering Center project begins and is completed the following year
2004 – The firm’s bid is accepted to construct the Verona Learning Campus for Epic Systems Corporation, the first of many building projects over the ensuing years for the mega-giant healthcare software developer
2005 – Fort Atkinson Hospital is expanded
2009-2010 – Milwaukee City Hall exterior renovations are ongoing
2011 – Extensive work is underway for much-needed refurbishment at the University of Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium
First Non-Family Member Company President
2013 – Ron Becher becomes first non-family company president
2015 – J.P. Cullen becomes general contractor for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Freshwater Sciences complex and opens downtown Madison office
2016 – Work commences on the Milwaukee Bucks Arena and Training Center where JP Cullen provides critical construction services
Fifth Generation Joins the Firm
2009-2016 – The 5th Generation of Cullen’s have joined the firm after earning related College Degrees and external employment in the AEC industry
Check out other articles about our company’s history:
