| Crumpler | |
| Settlement Type: | Unincorporated community |
| Pushpin Map: | North Carolina |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the state of North Carolina |
| Pushpin Label: | Crumpler |
| Coordinates: | 36.5039°N -81.3942°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | North Carolina |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Ashe |
| Named For: | Thomas N. Crumpler |
| Population Est: | 1938 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2022 |
| Timezone1: | EST |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP Code |
| Postal Code: | 28617 |
| Area Code: | 336, 743 |
Crumpler is an unincorporated community in Ashe County, North Carolina. It is located northeast of Jefferson, at an elevation of 2559 feet (780 m).
In 2022, the population estimate was 1,938.[1]
North Carolina Highway 16 is the primary route in the community, providing access to the eastern areas of Ashe County.
The ZIP Code for Crumpler is 28617.[2]
Historical evidence shows that the area that comprises present-day Crumpler was inhabited by several Native Americans tribes, including the Cherokee, Muscogee, and Shawnee. Arrowheads and broken pottery have been found in the area, confirming their presence.[3]
Crumpler is named for Thomas N. Crumpler (1831–1862), a lawyer and North Carolina state representative. Representative Crumpler was known for his controversial remarks regarding an amendment proposal to the North Carolina constitution to allow Jewish people to hold public office. He argued that Jews should not be trusted and would threaten the state if allowed to hold public office. Despite the commonness of slavery and overt systematic racism of the time period, Crumpler faced intense backlash across North Carolina for his comments. Initially one of the most prominent pro-Union voices of the state, Crumpler joined the Confederate Army in 1861, when North Carolina declared its secession from the Union. He was later shot and killed in the Battle of Glendale, reportedly while charging a Union soldier on horseback.[4]
The following locations in Crumpler are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
In 2008, an 18 ½-foot tall Fraser fir sourced from River Ridge Farms in Crumpler was selected as the White House Christmas tree.[5] It was the third White House Christmas tree sourced from Ashe County during the presidency of George W. Bush.