Bradford, Texas. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

1879 is the year usually given for the community's initial settlement. Two years later, after applying for a post office, it was granted under the name Bradford, Texas. Since the postmaster's name was B.L. Bradford, sources suggest that the town was "probably" named after B. L. The post office closed its doors in 1907 - a year that saw massive post office closures across the state.

In the mid 1880s, Bradford had a respectable (for the times) population of around 150 residents. All the essentials for growth were present. The town had school, church, store, cotton gins and gristmills. It peaked in the mid-1890s when it reached 200.

The town went into decline and by 1900 it was down to 125 residents. During the Great Depression, Bradford's count had shrunk to a mere 20 people. Despite the low number, the town retained two businesses, one of them a factory. By the end of WWII, Bradford's population had increased to 50. But post-war prosperity and the search for better jobs left the town with just 25 residents by the decade's end.

From the mid-1970s through 1990, twenty-two residents called Bradford home. The 2000 census counted 30 people.

Bradford Volunteer Fire Department
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, January 2006

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.