Best of Bradford
Best of Bradford
Stroll Through History and Take a Piece of Bradford Home with You.
Just south of Ellicottville, past the New York State line, snuggled within hillsides of towering trees is the City of Bradford. A visit to this town is a stroll through history and innovation.
As a small settlement on the forks of the Tunungwant (Tuna) River, Bradford started as a sleepy lumber town called Littleton, but when the oil gushed in the late 1800s, little Littleton became big Bradford, the “High-grade Oil Metropolis of the World.”
To honor this history, Penn Brad Oil Museum is located just three miles south of Bradford along Route 219. The museum tells the story of hurry-up sticks, wildcatters, and moonlighters - all terms created by the pioneers in the oil industry. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Call ahead to confirm operating times at 814-362-1955.
The Oil Barons used their wealth to transform their early boomtown into a city for art, culture, and commerce. As a visitor, you can enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the National Historic District of Bradford which features a short history of 25 significant buildings. Be sure to look up! Amazing architectural details crafted of brick and stone decorate the top of the buildings. Two amazing Art Deco style, multi-story buildings - the Hooker-Fulton Building and Marilyn Horne Hall - bookend main street. In all, over 166 commercial properties are within Bradford’s national and state registered historic district. Download the walking tour at www.visitanf.com/bradford
Along Main Street you will find a blossoming selection of retail shops.
Cummins County Charm is a farmhouse themed décor and gift shop. This shop features handcrafted wreaths, jewelry, apparel, bath & body products, and local flavored coffees. They also offer seasonal decorations and craft workshops. Located at 24 Main Street, Cummins Country Charm is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm. View their workshops at www.facebook.com/cumminscountrycharm
The Bradford Chocolate Factory pulls from a 100+ year history of candy stores along Main Street. Their chocolatier creates a variety of delicious confectionary delights including a local favorite, old-fashioned sponge candy … the white chocolate with raspberry makes my mouth water just writing about it. Pick and choose from over 200 differing types of candy displayed at the candy counter. Try their dark chocolate sea salt almond caramel, milk chocolate boardwalk crunch, white chocolate almond bark, or their coconut snowball. In addition to their own confectionary creations, the shop features barrels full of old-fashioned candies such as Oh Henry, Big League Chewing Gum, Clark Cups, and a childhood favorite - wax lips. The Bradford Chocolate Factory, 72 Main Street, is open Monday-Saturday 11:00am-7:00pm, closed Sunday. The shop can create custom gift baskets, and a selection of their candies may be ordered online, too! Phone 814-270-2626 or click on www.bradfordchocolatefactory.com
Around the corner from Main Street is the John Williams European Pastry Shop. This charming café serves breakfast and lunch daily along with offering fresh baked goods created by Master Pastry Chef Joe Frombach. This full-time pastry shop has cases brimming with freshly backed breads, butter rolls, pastries, cakes, pies, and decorated cookies. Swedish Rye and Salt-Rising Bread are two local favorites. Joe’s buttercream icing is literally the “icing on the cake.” Decorated cakes for special occasions may be ordered ahead by calling 814-362-6637. The John Williams Pastry Shop is located at 20 Mechanic Street, open Monday-Friday 6:30am-5:00pm and Saturday-Sunday 6:30am-3:00pm.
The Zippo/Case Museum showcases the history of two American icons - the Zippo lighter and the Case knife - which were invented in Bradford. The museum features interactive displays, videos, a timeline of Zippo and local history, and ZAC - an audio-kinetic ball machine. Their gift shop offers a diverse selection of Zippo and Case products including the new hand warmers (a must for those who live in our part of the woods). Northern Light candles is the newest addition to the selection of gift items available. Zippo/Case Museum, 1932 Zippo Drive, is open Monday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm. Call to confirm hours at 814-368-1932. For more information go to www.zippo.com
For those seeking outdoor adventure, the Tuna Valley Trail System offers over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails around the Marilla and Gilbert Reservoir, Tunungwant Creek (a covered wooden bridge) and connecting trails to the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania and the Allegany State Park in New York.
This article features just a few of the shops and restaurants located in Bradford. As you plan your visit, be sure to double check hours, as they may change. Pennsylvania does require you wear a mask, and restaurants are following CDC guidelines and social distancing. It is more fun if you stay over, so why not plan a nearby stay-vacation to explore Bradford and its trail system? To find out more go to www.visitanf.com or call 800-473-9370.