Bradford, Chickasaw County, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bradford, Iowa
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 Bradford, Chickasaw County, Iowa
Location in Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Chickasaw |
| Elevation | 978 ft (298 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Zip Codes |
50041
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| GNIS feature ID | 465990 |
Bradford is a small, unincorporated community located in Chickasaw County, Iowa, in the United States. Even though it's a quiet place now, Bradford has a rich history. It was once an important Native American trading post and even served as the first county seat for Chickasaw County. Today, Bradford is known for its history museum and the famous Little Brown Church, which inspired a well-known song called "The Church in the Wildwood".
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History of Bradford
Bradford's story began in 1840. The government set up a trading post here for Native Americans. This post had three log buildings. The Native Americans living here were from the Chickasaw tribe. Their chief was named Bradford, which is how the community got its name. The trading post closed down in 1850.
Bradford was officially planned out in 1852. It was located near the Little Cedar River, about a mile and a half northeast of Nashua.
Early Schools and Education
The very first school in Chickasaw County was built in Bradford in 1852. It was a simple log building. Later, Bradford became home to the Bradford Academy. This was a private high school. It helped students get ready for college. Reverend J.K. Nutting started the academy in 1865. The academy later moved into a nice brick building. It was open for 12 years and had as many as 125 students at its busiest time.
Bradford as County Seat
In 1852, Bradford also got its own post office. For a while, Bradford was a very important place. It served as the first county seat for Chickasaw County. This meant it was the main town where the county government was located. However, in 1857, the county seat moved to New Hampton.
The Little Brown Church
A famous event happened in Bradford in 1857. A doctor named William S. Pitts visited the town. He was on his way to Fredericksburg, Iowa. While in Bradford, he was inspired to write the song, "The Church in the Wildwood". This song is about The Little Brown Church, which is still in Bradford today. The church continues to hold services.
Decline and Modern Day
After the county seat moved, Bradford's importance started to fade. The railroad also bypassed Bradford, choosing to go through Nashua instead. Because of these changes, some people moved away to Nashua or New Hampton. The Bradford post office closed on May 31, 1899.
Even though it's smaller now, Bradford is still home to the historic Little Brown Church. It also has the Bradford Pioneer Village museum. This museum helps people learn about the area's past.
Notable Person
- Levi M. Hubbell, a businessman and politician who lived in the area.
