Our Heritage

How we started—and how it’s growing.

Robert Blaine Cultra founded the Onarga Nursery Company in 1865, just upon his return from the Civil War. He walked on foot through the rural areas and the fledgling communities selling strawberry plants, raspberry plants, and fruit trees. In the tradition of Johnny Appleseed, he trod every dusty path and byway for nearly 20 years. Each year, his reputation as a good nurseryman increased—and the business grew a little larger.

1895

Archie J. and Harry Blaine, Robert Blaine Cultra’s two sons, enter the business. The company grows so rapidly that horses and buggies are added to cover a larger area.

1912

Robert Blaine Cultra dies and is interred in the Onarga Cemetery. His two sons continue to run the business.

1921

In partnership with a third brother, Edwin Cultra, the family starts a wholesale nursery in Rives, Tennessee. First called the North Star Nursery, the name is later changed to the Morning Star Nursery.

1926

Harry Blaine Cultra retires from active partnership due to poor health.

1934

A fire totally destroys the office and the storage building in June. At this time, the Onarga Nursery Company is the third-largest nursery in the US. After a long, valuable partnership, Harry Blaine Cultra sells his interest in the business to Archie J. Cultra.

1945

Although Archie J. Cultra’s heart and soul are still with the nursery business, he retires after 50 years of faithful service due to failing health. His eldest son, R.R. Cultra, now manages the nursery.

1947

Archie J. Cultra dies on August 7, thus departing one of the nation's greatest nurserymen. Along with his brother, Harry B., he had transformed a simple strawberry patch into one of the country’s leading wholesale nurseries. The business goes to Archie J.’s two sons—R.R. Cultra and Duane B. Cultra.

1952

R.R. Cultra sells his interest to Duane B. Cultra, making him majority stockholder and company president. A third son, H. W. Cultra, continues on as a landscaping representative.

1963

H. W. Cultra resigns as landscaping representative and sells his nursery shares to Duane B. Cultra to pursue other business interests.

1971

Shane and P. Terence Cultra enter the business with their father, as the fourth generation to actively participate in the Onarga Nursery Company.

1975

P. Terence Cultra leaves Onarga Nursery Company to pursue other horticultural interests.

1978

Specimen Shade Tree Nursery, located in Parma, Mich., is purchased.

1987

Country Arbors Nursery is established in Urbana, Illinois.

1992

P. Terence Cultra purchases Country Arbors Nursery from his brother, Shane Cultra.

1994

Donna M. Cultra joins her husband P. Terence Cultra as secretarytreasurer of Country Arbors Nursery.

1995

T. Shane Cultra joins his father P. Terence Cultra, becoming a fifthgeneration nurseryman.

1998

T. Shane Cultra assumes responsibility for managing the retail division.

2004

Country Arbors Nursery starts developing a wholesale division, specializing in container and field product production.

Josef C. Cultra joins his father P. Terence Cultra, brother T. Shane Cultra, and Donna M. Cultra, becoming the second fifth-generation nurseryman in the business.

2005

T. Shane Cultra assumes the responsibility of chief operating officer for Country Arbors Nursery. His father, P. Terence Cultra, continues as president/CEO.

2009

Land is purchased in Onarga, Ill. to open Cultra Nurseries, a growing operation to supply material for Country Arbors in Urbana.

2022

Shane retires and Joe takes over as CEO.