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Bradford, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
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Bradford, Pennsylvania
City
Old City Hall
Old City Hall
Location of Bradford in McKean County, Pennsylvania.
Location of Bradford in McKean County, Pennsylvania.
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County McKean
Settled 1823
Incorporated 1837
Government
 • Type City Council
Area
 • Total 3.40 sq mi (8.80 km2)
 • Land 3.33 sq mi (8.62 km2)
 • Water 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 7,849
 • Density 2,359.89/sq mi (911.07/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Zip Code
16701
Area code(s) 814
FIPS code 42-08040
Website bradfordpa.org

Bradford is a city in McKean County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is located near the border with New York state. The city is about 78 miles (126 km) south of Buffalo, New York.

Bradford is known for its oil refinery and is the home of Zippo lighters. It also has a branch campus of the University of Pittsburgh. In 2020, about 7,849 people lived in Bradford. It is the main city in the Bradford, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History of Bradford

Bradford was first settled in 1823. It became a city in 1837. In the late 1800s, it grew quickly during the Pennsylvania oil rush. The oil found here was very special. It was great for making lubricants because it was very pure.

In 1876, the Bradford and Foster Brook Railway was built. This was one of the first monorails in America. It was built when Bradford was a busy oil town. Famous Kendall racing oils were also made in Bradford.

Aviation History in Bradford

Bradford played a part in developing personal airplanes. In the 1930s, the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation made a plane called the Taylor Cub here. After a factory fire, William T. Piper bought the company. He moved the factory and improved the plane's design. This plane became the world-famous Piper J-3 Cub.

Population Changes and Famous People

Bradford's population was highest in 1930, with over 19,000 people. By 2010, it had dropped to about 8,770. However, if you include nearby towns, the Greater Bradford area has about 18,000 people.

Some famous people from Bradford include:

  • Marilyn Horne, a famous opera singer.
  • Rube Waddell, a Hall of Fame baseball player.
  • Stew Barber, a five-time All-Star football player.

In 1897, a man named J.M. Aldrich created a perpetual motion machine hoax in Bradford. This was a trick where he claimed to have a machine that could run forever. The trick was revealed in Scientific American magazine. Aldrich was sent to jail for four months.

Historic Places in Bradford

Several buildings in Bradford are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. They include:

Bradford's Economy

BradfordZippo
The Zippo museum and factory.

Bradford is home to Zippo, which started in 1932. Zippo makes famous collectible pocket lighters. Case also makes knives and is owned by Zippo. These two companies are big employers in Bradford.

The Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) is another large employer. It is a hospital that expanded in 2006. Other important employers include Beacon Light, which helps young people, the Bradford Area School District, and Wal-Mart. The FCI McKean prison is also nearby.

Oil Refining in Bradford

The American Refining Group (ARG) is Bradford's oldest active business. It is the oldest continuously running oil refinery in the United States. ARG celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2006. Since ARG bought the refinery, the number of jobs there has almost doubled.

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Bradford has a four-year college called the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Pitt-Bradford). In 2009, it had over 1,600 students. Many students live on campus.

Most of the city's shopping mall and chain stores are just north of the city in Foster Brook.

Arts and Entertainment

The Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center has a season of shows from September to March. The Bromeley Family Theater at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford also hosts many events. These events bring authors, artists, and musicians to the campus. All these events are open to everyone.

Local theater groups also put on plays. These include the Pitt-Bradford theater department, the high school, and the Bradford Little Theater (BLT). BLT also has a smaller theater called Togi's Playhouse. Every fall, there is a community talent show called Kiwanis Kapers.

Marilyn Horne Museum

In May 2017, the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center opened in downtown Bradford. This museum celebrates the life and career of opera singer Marilyn Horne. It shows items from her personal collection.

Annual Festivals and Events

Bradford hosts many fun annual festivals:

  • Stinkfest: A festival that celebrates leek dishes.
  • Summer Daze: A summer festival.
  • Autumn Daze: A fall festival.
  • Italian Festival: Celebrates Italian culture.
  • Zippo/Case International Swap Meet: A big event for collectors, held every two years.
  • Crook Farm Country Fair: A country-themed fair.

In early August, the annual Big 30 All-Star Football Game takes place. This charity game features high school football stars. On New Year's Eve, Bradford has a First Night celebration. It even has its own ball drop!

Geography of Bradford

Bradford is located on U.S. Route 219. It is just south of where Route 219 meets Interstate 86. The city is in a valley in the Allegheny Mountains. It is surrounded by forests and steep hills. Two parts of the Tunungwant Creek flow into the city. They then join and flow north into the Allegheny River.

Bradford Regional Airport

The Bradford Regional Airport is about 15 miles (24 km) south of the city. The city is about 1,443 feet (440 m) above sea level. However, the airport is much higher, at 2,142 feet (653 m) above sea level. Because it is so high, the airport often has the coldest temperatures in Pennsylvania. Temperatures in the city are usually warmer than at the airport.

Climate in Bradford

Bradford has a humid continental climate. This means it has cold, long, and snowy winters. Summers are warm and humid. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Bradford was -37°F (-38°C) in February 1934. The hottest was 99°F (37°C) in July 2011.

Late fall and early winter are very snowy. This is because of "lake effect snow" from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. This type of snow happens when cold air moves over warmer lake water. Snowfall can also be high in early spring.

Climate data for Bradford, Pennsylvania, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 69
(21)		 73
(23)		 83
(28)		 87
(31)		 93
(34)		 93
(34)		 99
(37)		 93
(34)		 95
(35)		 85
(29)		 79
(26)		 68
(20)		 99
(37)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 54.2
(12.3)		 54.1
(12.3)		 66.0
(18.9)		 77.6
(25.3)		 84.7
(29.3)		 87.0
(30.6)		 88.5
(31.4)		 86.3
(30.2)		 84.1
(28.9)		 76.9
(24.9)		 66.9
(19.4)		 54.6
(12.6)		 89.6
(32.0)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 30.6
(−0.8)		 33.2
(0.7)		 42.2
(5.7)		 56.0
(13.3)		 67.8
(19.9)		 75.5
(24.2)		 79.1
(26.2)		 77.6
(25.3)		 71.0
(21.7)		 58.9
(14.9)		 46.3
(7.9)		 35.2
(1.8)		 56.1
(13.4)
Daily mean °F (°C) 21.7
(−5.7)		 23.2
(−4.9)		 31.5
(−0.3)		 43.8
(6.6)		 55.1
(12.8)		 63.4
(17.4)		 67.1
(19.5)		 65.7
(18.7)		 59.1
(15.1)		 47.7
(8.7)		 37.2
(2.9)		 27.5
(−2.5)		 45.3
(7.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 12.9
(−10.6)		 13.1
(−10.5)		 20.7
(−6.3)		 31.7
(−0.2)		 42.4
(5.8)		 51.3
(10.7)		 55.1
(12.8)		 53.8
(12.1)		 47.1
(8.4)		 36.6
(2.6)		 28.0
(−2.2)		 19.8
(−6.8)		 34.4
(1.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −10.1
(−23.4)		 −7.6
(−22.0)		 −1.1
(−18.4)		 17.7
(−7.9)		 26.9
(−2.8)		 36.2
(2.3)		 43.5
(6.4)		 42.4
(5.8)		 34.0
(1.1)		 24.1
(−4.4)		 11.8
(−11.2)		 1.2
(−17.1)		 −13.3
(−25.2)
Record low °F (°C) −36
(−38)		 −29
(−34)		 −22
(−30)		 6
(−14)		 18
(−8)		 26
(−3)		 32
(0)		 28
(−2)		 18
(−8)		 12
(−11)		 −4
(−20)		 −22
(−30)		 −36
(−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.84
(98)		 2.84
(72)		 3.33
(85)		 4.20
(107)		 4.50
(114)		 4.79
(122)		 4.95
(126)		 4.56
(116)		 4.19
(106)		 4.38
(111)		 3.91
(99)		 4.08
(104)		 49.57
(1,259)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 20.5
(52)		 15.6
(40)		 10.0
(25)		 2.9
(7.4)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.8
(2.0)		 7.0
(18)		 18.4
(47)		 75.3
(191)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) 11.9
(30)		 11.7
(30)		 9.6
(24)		 2.1
(5.3)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.6
(1.5)		 4.7
(12)		 10.5
(27)		 17.7
(45)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 17.1 13.0 12.4 12.8 13.3 13.2 12.4 11.4 11.4 14.2 14.5 16.4 162.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 10.6 8.7 5.4 1.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 4.0 8.7 39.5
Source: NOAA

Recreation and Outdoor Fun

Bradford is close to two large natural areas. These are the Allegany State Park in New York and the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. Allegany State Park is the third-largest state park in the United States. The Allegheny National Forest is the only national forest in Pennsylvania.

The Tuna Valley Trails Association has built many miles of trails in the area. They plan to build over 50 miles (80 km) of trails in the future.

Parks and Sports

Bradford has several parks for fun and activities:

  • Callahan Park: Has swimming pools, tennis courts, and an indoor ice skating rink.
  • Hanley Park: Features a large playground, horseshoe pits, and a skate park.

There are also two golf courses nearby. These are the Pennhills Club and Pine Acres Golf Course.

Education in Bradford

Bradford is served by the Bradford Area School District. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is located in Bradford Township.

Notable People from Bradford

  • Marjorie West, a child who disappeared in 1938.
  • Stew Barber, a football player.
  • Inez Barbour Hadley, a soprano singer.
  • George Grant Blaisdell, who started the Zippo lighter company.
  • Edith Dobie, a historian.
  • John Gilmore, an opera singer.
  • Marilyn Horne, a famous opera singer.
  • Henry Clinton Hunt, a Wisconsin State Assemblyman.
  • Larry Peace, an NFL player.
  • J. Howard Pew, a president of Sun Oil Company and a generous giver.
  • Todd Schlopy, a film cameraman and former NFL player.
  • Rube Waddell, a Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher.
  • Jay and Jules Allen, film exhibitors.
  • Philip M. Shannon, a former Mayor of Bradford and oil businessman.
  • A. Leo Weil, a lawyer.

Images for kids

  • Bradford Old City Hall Jun 09

    Old City Hall

  • McKean County Pennsylvania Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Bradford Highlighted

    Location of Bradford in McKean County, Pennsylvania.

  • BradfordZippo

    Zippo museum & manufacturing facility.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bradford (Pensilvania) para niños

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